Team Iron Andy in the Midwest!
This past weekend there was a lot of triathlon activity for Team Iron Andy. First, we had Jon Dienes from Dienes Pharmacy in Nebraska racing in his first triathlon. Jon completed the Chicago Triathlon on Sunday…congrats Jon.
Also in Chicago was the Lopez family. I had the opportunity to meet the Lopez family the previous week. Mary Lopez found my website while surfing the web to find resources for her newly diagnosed 12 year old son Andrew. Turns out the Lopez Family was getting ready to race in the Chicago Triathlon as well. Congrats to Mary, Ed, Mary-Kate and Andrew…welcome to Team Iron Andy.
Last but no least, we had some representation at Ironman Louisville. Last year when I competed in that race I met Paige Batcher. Paige was inspired by me to train for and complete her first triathlon…her first being an Ironman!!! Although not officially racing on Team Iron Andy as she was raising money for her sister who has a heart condition, I like to include her anyway as she surely is an inspiration. In Louisville we also had Maria Wimsatt. Maria raced on Team Iron Andy and was raising money for the Iron Andy Foundation via the Janus Charity Charity Challenge. Both Paige and Maria finished Ironman Louisville in a very respectful 14 ish hours. Amazing job for their first attempt.
Congratulations and Thanks to all.
IRONANDY
Andrew Lopez
Check out this great article about a young boy I met last week in Chicago. He was diagnosed with type 1 less than a year ago and is racing in the Chicago Triathlon this weekend - http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=403260
IRONANDY
Let’s thank Melissa!
For those of you who have enjoyed reading my BLOG over these past four years or so…you have Melissa Cliver to thank! Not only has Melissa been my travel agent, gate-keeper and in my opinion the backbone of Diabetes Shoppe and the “Managing Diabetes - Living Without Limits” campaign, but it’s becasue of Melissa that this BLOG gets written every week…OK, almost every week.
I enjoy writting this BLOG, especially when I have something interesting to write. But with my CRAZY schedule most weeks I forget. One of the only constants in my life is Melissa’s e-mail reminder every Monday - “It’s BLOG day, don’t forget!”
Today is Melissa’s last day in the role of my travel agent, gate-keeper, backbone and BLOG reminder. Thankfully (for AmerisourceBergen) she is not leaving the company but taking on a new and exciting job. Diabetes Shoppe and Living Without Limits will miss her and so will I. I wanted to take this opportunity to dedicate my last BLOG of Melissa’s tenure to her. THANKS MELISSA!!!
The reminder’s are going away, but I am sure she will continue to read so I hope I can make her proud with a prompt delivery.
Good Luck and thank you!
IRONANDY
Camps and AADE
The week before last I spoke at two local diabetes camps - Camp Possibilities in Maryland and Camp Red Jacket in Allentown, PA. Both were successful appearances and it was a nice treat to drive and not fly to the engagement.
Last week I was in San Antonio, TX speaking at the AADE (American Association of Diabetes Educators) Convention. I was there representing Animas/Lifescan and spoke on their main stage.
I will have a “bonus” BLOG this week to announce a very exciting Iron Andy Foundation fundraising event that will take place on October 10th in Skippack, PA…stay tuned.
IRONANDY
Time for the kids!
It’s been a great little respite from travel over the past two weeks, I’ve really enjoyed spending quality time with my sons. Tomorrow I hit the road again, back to eastern Washington for a speaking engagement at Camp Stix , then to Seattle to speak at Camp Leo in Shelton, WA.
Next week I am manning the Iron Andy Foundation booth at the IronKids Tri in Carmel, IN, then more camps - Camp Possibilities in Maryland and Camp Red Jacket in Allentown, PA.
Lots of young people to inspire!
IRONANDY
Recovery Week
After a successful Ironman finish #6, I spent last week relaxing. Although I know my body needs the rest, the relaxing lasted until about Friday then I was itching to start training again. Today was my first workout, went for a 40 minute run…in the 100 degree heat! Still felt good to get my body moving again. I will swim once and bike once this week, then get back to “work” for Ironman Wisconsin in September.
Nothing more to report.
IRONANDY
Beatrice…more rain???
If you’ve been reading my BLOG’s you know that bad weather has followed me as I have criss-crossed the country this year. This past weekend was no exception. I was in Beatrice Nebraska for the Homestead Days Celebration. Saturday was a parade (this was the first year ever that it rained) then Sunday was the Bow-N-Go Triathlon and the 10k Run. Apparently, in past years it has been hot and sunny…this year, I show up and it rains!!! It was, however a great weekend and thanks to Dienes Pharmacy for hosting me…great people!
On Wednesday of this week I leave for Coeur d’ Alene for Ironman, my third year in a row doing this event. Hard to believe it’s here already. I am excited although slightly apprehensive as my very busy travel schedule this year has cut into my long training runs and rides…but at 7:00 am on Sunday morning that won’t matter much - adrenaline will kick in (and I hope muscle memory too) and I’m sure I will be fine. If I can successfully manage my blood sugar and the weather cooperates (not couting on that one) I should have a great race. You can follow me at http://www.ironmanlive.com Just find the “Athlete Tracker” for Ironman Couer d’ Alene.
Check back next week for my race recap.
IRONANDY
Dow Midland Walk-Run
Good Morning fom Des Moines. I am here participating in the Hy-Vee Triathlon, today I will be at the expo in the Iron Andy Foundation booth (IAF also has a booth today at the Iron Kids Triathlon in Round Rock, Texas…it’s almost like we are a real organization :) I will get to Hy-Vee and Round Rock in next week’s BLOG, today is about Midland, MI:
The week in Midland began with a very cool, and new experience for me. I got to throw out the first pitch at a Minor League baseball game! It was for the Great Lakes “Loons” who are a LA Dodgers farm team. The pitch was good, over the plate but a little high. I also had a television interview and an ESPN radio interview. I spoke at Smitty’s Ironworks gym and at the Midland Community Center. The highlight of the week was the Dow Midland Run-Walk. I took part in the 10k run and it was nice to have some of my new friends from the Apothecary Shoppe running with me. The trip was successful and I would like to Thank Tonya, Carolyn and Dave from the Apothecary Shoppe for inviting me!
Check back next week for Hy-Vee results.
IRONANDY
Service
I was in San Antonio this past week, speaking at both Randolph and Lackland Air Force bases. This was my second visit to an AFB since doing this IRONANDY thing. I had an opportunity to speak to four different groups of airmen and women, went on two morning runs and had a round-table discussion with a NCO (non commissioned officer) young leadership group. One of the questions I was asked was - “Sir. (I heard Sir. a lot in two days) what are your feelings about the military and what we are doing?” I wasn’t expecting this question and wouldn’t have thought I was prepared…but the answer rolled of my tongue like I had been rehearsing it for weeks - I said, “I think all Americans are proud and humbled by the SERVICE these men and women are giving.” “Whether or not we agree with where we are, or why we are there…EVERYONE is thankful, proud and supportive of these young men and women.”
Of course I was in San Antonio to inspire and motivate, but for me it was a chance to thank a few hundred people who are risking their lives…not necessarily for a cause you may or may not believe in, but because that is there job. That is what SERVICE means!
Anyway, if you have a chance to thank someone in the military - DO IT! In an airport, shopping mall, wherever. It means a lot to them to know we are thankful and that we support them!
IRONANDY
El Paso
Last weekend I was back in El Paso…great trip! It began with a radio interview, then a speaking engagements at Texas State Health Department, then the Pan American Health Organization. Last but certainly not least, was the EPDA (El Paso Diabetes Association) Walk. I took place in the Walk then spoke to the crowd afterwards. There was a great turnout in this event’s 2nd year. To learn more about EPDA, check out their site at - http://www.epdiabetes.org I hope to return to the event next year!
IRONANDY