My 1st Entry...

Hi! So this is my first time creating a blog. I decided to do it for anyone and everyone who wants to see how my training is going. Training for what you may ask?

1. My annual JDRF Ride To Cure Diabetes
2. My first sprint distance triathlon
   

Each year for the past 3 1/2 years I have taken part in the Ride to Cure Diabetes sponsored by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation aka JDRF. This will be my 4th year taking part in the ride that has essentially changed my life. It is a weekend spent with family I see once a year. It is a weekend full of inspiring stories, laughter, friendship, an adventure of 100 miles meeting strangers with a common interest - diabetes.

Last fall a friend of mine completed her first Ironman race (this is what most people think of when they here triathlon). She didn't know how to swim the year prior and she had never been a triathlete before either. Well she did it. And she inspired me to do a triathlon as well. She is also a type 1 diabetic. So in January I decided to complete a sprint triathlon this year. That's what I'm also training for. My first race is on my birthday June 27th, it takes place in Staten Island and is called Flat as a Pancake. :)

I definitely want you guys to understand I am no expert on any of the sports I take part in. I know what I've learned from trial and error and asking anyone and everyone I know lots and lots of q's. I joined a running group so I can become a better runner, I signed up for an open water swim class so I don't freak out and drown myself in the ocean thinking of what's down below or getting my face kicked in by 500 other swimmers. I've bought books that will inspire me to train, and get used to exercising regularly. Classes and groups and asking questions, reading inspiring books on the sports, learning how to become a better athlete. Learning how to become a better athlete and having diabetes throws it into another category so now I am getting in touch with diabetic triathletes. Cuz no one is going to know better than them. What I do know I have is determination, and once I say out loud that I'm going to do something well there's just no going back. I've gotta do it. That's another major part of the reason why I decided to create the blog. Because you guys are gonna read this and even if no one is reading this someone might stumble upon it and it's that idea that will keep me moving. Keep me going. I don't want to let anyone down. You guys are the driving force in this little engine called Jen that could. So thank you.

As far as my teams, I am part of the NYC Crankees cycling team, and have recently become a member of the Triabetes team. The Crankees are my team through JDRF, they have become close friends and are awesome people. The Triabetes team are my online triathlete teammates who have diabetes. This is what they say "Triabetes athletes are inviting anyone with diabetes to “give it a shot” and join the team. All types of diabetes. All triathlon distances. All throughout North America."

For all who are reading and want to know some terms:

1. sprint tri = 1/4 mile swim, 12 mile bike & 3.1 mile run
2. olympic tri = .93 mile swim, 24 mile bike and 6.2 mile run
3. half ironman = 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run
4. ironman = 2.1 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run
5. century = 100 miles in the cycling world

I think I'm about done writing for now...as more comes to mind I'll give you kids an update. Rest assured I will be giving you guys updates on my weekly workouts while I train, updates on my thoughts on diabetes and anything else that comes to mind hence the title for my blog ;).

Write soon!
Jen