Team Phoenix
Sunday August 9th, 2015 I participated with 48 other cancer survivors in a Sprint Triathlon
14 weeks before...
I am forever thankful for the founders of this amazing program and the incredible family of athletes and supporters. If you know someone who's a cancer survivor living in Milwaukee, WI and you think this is something they'd consider ... let me know! It's a life changing experience!
Team Phoenix
https://medicalprofessionals.aurorahealthcare.org/research/research-centers/breast-care/team-phoenix.asp
What is Team Phoenix? Breast cancer survivors of all stages, ages, and fitness levels train for a sprint distance triathlon as the impetus to regain an active lifestyle to achieve lifelong health and fitness. Team Phoenix members train with other patients to complete an all-women sprint distance triathlon, composed of a half-mile open water swim, 12-mile bike and 3.1-mile run. Team Phoenix members work with professional coaches and medical volunteers during a 14-week program that physically and mentally prepares them to finish the triathlon.
Below are a few pictures of the athletes and their supporters.
14 weeks before...
- we didn't know each other
- many were inactive
- few believed they could complete a half-mile swim, 12 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run
- some women couldn't swim and those that could, were uncomfortable with open water swimming
- many didn't have bikes
I am forever thankful for the founders of this amazing program and the incredible family of athletes and supporters. If you know someone who's a cancer survivor living in Milwaukee, WI and you think this is something they'd consider ... let me know! It's a life changing experience!
Team Phoenix
https://medicalprofessionals.aurorahealthcare.org/research/research-centers/breast-care/team-phoenix.asp
What is Team Phoenix? Breast cancer survivors of all stages, ages, and fitness levels train for a sprint distance triathlon as the impetus to regain an active lifestyle to achieve lifelong health and fitness. Team Phoenix members train with other patients to complete an all-women sprint distance triathlon, composed of a half-mile open water swim, 12-mile bike and 3.1-mile run. Team Phoenix members work with professional coaches and medical volunteers during a 14-week program that physically and mentally prepares them to finish the triathlon.
Below are a few pictures of the athletes and their supporters.
Augusy 9, 2015
What an amazing experience Team Phoenix has been. After battling the triathlon of treatment in 2014, I was able to train and finish a sprint triathalon in 2015. This program is so amazing for spiritual and physical reasons. It's also amazing to have made life-long friends and hopefully have started life changing behavior to work out and stay fit.
What an amazing experience Team Phoenix has been. After battling the triathlon of treatment in 2014, I was able to train and finish a sprint triathalon in 2015. This program is so amazing for spiritual and physical reasons. It's also amazing to have made life-long friends and hopefully have started life changing behavior to work out and stay fit.
Team Phoneix - Day before the Triathalon
August 8, 2015
It's the day before the triathalon ... 14 weeks of training with Team Phoenix has led us to tomorrow. I decided to have some fun for picture day with some make-up a somewhere along the way picked up this fabulous boa. I'm excited and nervous for race day ... but nothing could hold back my hunor in front of the You are an Iron Girl sign ... Swim, Bike, Run. Tomorrow I will be an Iron Girl!
It's the day before the triathalon ... 14 weeks of training with Team Phoenix has led us to tomorrow. I decided to have some fun for picture day with some make-up a somewhere along the way picked up this fabulous boa. I'm excited and nervous for race day ... but nothing could hold back my hunor in front of the You are an Iron Girl sign ... Swim, Bike, Run. Tomorrow I will be an Iron Girl!
Team Phoenix - Mini Triathalon ... practice
August 2, 2015
A week before our Triathalon, Team Phoenix has a mini-Tri practice. It allows us to practice all of the transitions and get in some (semi) open water. It's also an opportunity for the team from the prior year to host an amazing lunch with the team they have been volunteering for.
What an amazing day!!! Successful mini-tri and had lots of fun doing it ... despite it being the hottest day of the year, sustained winds of 13 mph and gusts of 38 mph, and working on a few hours sleep 🏊 🚴 🏃 Super excited for the real race next Sunday!
A week before our Triathalon, Team Phoenix has a mini-Tri practice. It allows us to practice all of the transitions and get in some (semi) open water. It's also an opportunity for the team from the prior year to host an amazing lunch with the team they have been volunteering for.
What an amazing day!!! Successful mini-tri and had lots of fun doing it ... despite it being the hottest day of the year, sustained winds of 13 mph and gusts of 38 mph, and working on a few hours sleep 🏊 🚴 🏃 Super excited for the real race next Sunday!
Quick trip to Minneapolis - Breck 25 yr Reunion
Nothing like a quick trip to Minneapolis to celebrate by 25 year reunion with my classmates at Breck. It was so wonderful to see so much of the class of 1990! I may not have grautuated from Breck, but I did spend 3rd - 20th grade there. It's great to see so many of my classmates. Life is short and you never know who won't be around for the next one. Go Mustangs! Last time we were in Minneapolis was when we got married Feb 2014. great to be back in my hometown. Love you Minnie-apple!
GE's GLBTA Alliance Global Meeting
July 2015
GE's GLBTA Alliance Global Meeting in Orlando, FL. These meetings are always amazing, but this years was the best so far!
- Heather and I got to be there together ... so cool =)
- Great catching up with so many friends ... and meeting new ones
- We got to meet Mary Bonauto, who successfully argued the SCOTUS case
GE's GLBTA Alliance Global Meeting in Orlando, FL. These meetings are always amazing, but this years was the best so far!
- Heather and I got to be there together ... so cool =)
- Great catching up with so many friends ... and meeting new ones
- We got to meet Mary Bonauto, who successfully argued the SCOTUS case
SCOTUS Ruling - Gay Marriage legal in ALL 50 states!
June 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that gay marriage is legal in all 50 states!!!
I honestly wasn't sure this day would ever come. More than ever I am thankful for this accomplishment. In 2014 Heather and I were married in Minnesota. At the time we were breaking Wiscosin law, by being residents of WI and getting married in a state that allowed our marriage, when it was not allowed in WI. According to the law, we could have each been fined $10,000 each and improsioned for up to 9 months. Within days, our employer GE updated it's benefits policies to recogize all gay marriages no matter what state you live in. This is a huge deal, since I am fully vested in GE's pension. As a cancer survivor, it's always refreshing to know that my wife will have the same survivor benefits as any other married couple should something happen to me. Huge step forward to equality. Love is Love!
I honestly wasn't sure this day would ever come. More than ever I am thankful for this accomplishment. In 2014 Heather and I were married in Minnesota. At the time we were breaking Wiscosin law, by being residents of WI and getting married in a state that allowed our marriage, when it was not allowed in WI. According to the law, we could have each been fined $10,000 each and improsioned for up to 9 months. Within days, our employer GE updated it's benefits policies to recogize all gay marriages no matter what state you live in. This is a huge deal, since I am fully vested in GE's pension. As a cancer survivor, it's always refreshing to know that my wife will have the same survivor benefits as any other married couple should something happen to me. Huge step forward to equality. Love is Love!
Team Phoenix - June training
June Training
Team Phoenix training ... twice a week with the team, other nights on my own.
Team Phoenix training ... twice a week with the team, other nights on my own.
Black Tie Wedding in D.C
June 2015
From London to D.C. for a black tie wedding of Matt and Erin. This is my second tuxedo ... last time was more like a costume to MC a work event. I had sooooo much fun in the tux ... WAY better than a dress. I could be onto something here =)
From London to D.C. for a black tie wedding of Matt and Erin. This is my second tuxedo ... last time was more like a costume to MC a work event. I had sooooo much fun in the tux ... WAY better than a dress. I could be onto something here =)
Long weekend in Paris
June 2015
Got to spend a long weekend with my co-worker in Paris before we headed over to London for a work meeting. Not my first trip to Paris, but it was my first trip inside of a Versace and first time up the Eiffel Tower. What a great weekend!
Got to spend a long weekend with my co-worker in Paris before we headed over to London for a work meeting. Not my first trip to Paris, but it was my first trip inside of a Versace and first time up the Eiffel Tower. What a great weekend!
Memorial Day Weekend in Provincetown, MA
Provincetown, MA ... the first place I ever went that gays were a majority. That was back in the mid-90's when I was still trying to come to terms with my own sexuality. This artist and fishing town never fails to deliver. Memorial Day Weekend in P-Town never ceases to delivery. It was so wonderful to enjoy this with Heather and Katie ... and so wonderful that Eric and Steve were able to come down from Boston for the day and see us
Meeting Melissa Etheridge
Our annual customer meeting this year featured Melissa Etheridge as a keynote speaker. She held a mini-concert, singing six songs (many inspired from her battle with breast cancer). I was so blessed to be given the opportunity to meet her backstage. Not only was she one of the lesbians that inspired me to come out in my 20's, but her brave approach to breast cancer was also inspirational. It was a honor and pleasure to meet her and talk about my own journey with breast cancer. Her concert did not fail ... I was cying non-stop so moved by her perfomance as if I was reliving 2014 all over again.
Team Phoenix Starts - Week of May 13th
From the day I learned about Team Phoenix, I knew I'd be a member. I used to compete in triathalons as a kid. I'd been wanting for years to get back into it ... who knew it would be cancer that brough me back.
This week I started training for a Sprint Triathlon with 50+ breast cancer survivors in the greater Milwaukee area.
Did you know fitness & a healthy lifestyle reduce recurrence of breast cancer? The group is called Team Phoenix, and it's led by my amazing surgeon (Dr. Tjoe) and the awesome clinical team from Aurora Healthcare. If you'd like to learn more about this challenge, please take a few minutes and watch this video about the group https://youtu.be/AItTM7bYpHk
Race Day is August 9th!
I will finish ... and I will drop all this stupid weight I gained during treatment in 2014.T-87 days. Go Team Phoenix!
This week I started training for a Sprint Triathlon with 50+ breast cancer survivors in the greater Milwaukee area.
Did you know fitness & a healthy lifestyle reduce recurrence of breast cancer? The group is called Team Phoenix, and it's led by my amazing surgeon (Dr. Tjoe) and the awesome clinical team from Aurora Healthcare. If you'd like to learn more about this challenge, please take a few minutes and watch this video about the group https://youtu.be/AItTM7bYpHk
Race Day is August 9th!
I will finish ... and I will drop all this stupid weight I gained during treatment in 2014.T-87 days. Go Team Phoenix!
Renting bikes ... and taking a ride along Lake Michigan
We rented a couple of Bublr bikes and took our new accessories out for a 6 mile spin. This was Heather's first ride in 13 years! Can't wait for our real bikes to be ready so we can do this regularly 🚴 🚴 Today I ordered my new loaner bike from Trek/Wheel and Sprocket who donate the bikes to us during our Team Phoneix training and triathalon.
Delayed Honeymoon to Dominican Republic "The DR"
In February, 2015 Heather and I were finally able to take a honeymoon ... 1 year after our wedding in thr courthouse in MN. After a difficuly year battling treatment; chemotherapy, surgery, radiation it was time to have some down time and enjoy life after cancer. This amazing two week get away was for two weeks and also got us in the water to get some scuba diving. When I'm scuba diving, I'm as close as I come to meditating. Life with the fishies =)