Saturday, February 7, 2009

Why we TRI: Mark Felice Childhood Cancer Fund

Mark Stephen Felice was born on March 22, 1986, in Camden, New Jersey.  He grew up outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Even as a very young boy, he was drawn to idolizing heros who pushed themselves to the limits to do the right thing in any situation. He continuously surrounded himself with people, from his parents to his friends, who embodied the same amazing hearts as his idols.
In middle school Mark moved to Austin, Texas; all along he searched to live life to it's fullest. Soccer was always one of his favorite pastimes and although he was not the star of the team, he would preserve to play as hard as he possibly could. Mark's goal was to motivate the other players to do their best on and off the field.
Mark continued to high school, when it was discovered after a wakeboarding accident that he had Rhabdomyosarcoma, a solid tumor found in the base of his skull. Even through radiation, chemotherapy and a relapse, Mark pushed to be out with his friends and family, wakeboarding and on the soccer field. Two weeks before he passed away, he attended his senior year Homecoming dance. Mark died on October 15, 2003 with his friends and family that he had touched and shown what life had to offer, surrounding him. All that Mark Felice wanted was for no other child to go through the trials of cancer. He wanted every child to be a normal kid with his or her life in front of him or her and goals within reach.


Tuesday, February 3, 2009

TRIATHLON REGISTRATION!


Registration is OPEN!!

CLICK TO REGISTER!



Tough Cookies

My mom and aunt join a training group called Tough Cookies. They are a women's group who meet 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday). I got to go to 2 or 3 lessons with my mom and they really are helpful. They teach you everything from technique to how to change a flat tire. They even take you to the race site about 2 weeks prior to the race to try out the water, bike the hills, and run  part of the path. It costs  $250 and worth EVERY penny!
All of the women in the group are incredible and they've never had a member not finish the race! For more information you can check out their website which is listed on the left under triathlon websites or talk to my mom.

Just Keep Swimming...

The swim might seem scary but it truly isn't that bad. Just begin slow and work up to the full distance. It will take time but becomes enjoyable once you get the hang of it.

items you will need:
- swim cap
- googles
- swimsuit (I own a onesie and it is pretty great looking! so don't slam it until you try it!)

The pool is the easiest place to begin training and you can always take swim lessons. I know the YMCA centers have lessons for all ages and Tough Cookies does a great job teach the proper technique.


June 7th!

The Danskin Triathlon is on June 7th!!
Last June, many of you told me you would like to take part in the Danksin 2009!! NOW is a great time to start thinking about it. We had a very successful first year in 2008, but want to be even stronger this year to support the Mark Felice Childhood Cancer Fund.
We raised over $3000 and this year we would like to raise even more money with your help and support. We also want to encourage you to join us on June 7th. Many of you expressed that you wanted to do the triathlon, or part of the triathlon, and some of you said you could help with fundraising. For my sister, mom, and myself, it truly was a great bonding experience knowing that we were doing this for an amazing cause and we really felt the incredible satisfaction crossing the finish line knowing we had given it our all. It is very special having the friends and family fan club come out and support us all wearing the Mark Felice t-shirts.
It is not too early to start exercising and everyone can use support through the process.