IronTeam Bio Information

Location: Alameda, CA
School Attended: MA in Psychology at CSU, Bakersfield
Profession: Public Education, Implementation Manager
Race: Canada
Why: To prove to myself that I can
Motivation: Mom and Dad are my personal honorees and of course our IT honorees

Goal: My goals are to raise lots and lots of $ so that we can find a cure and to finish my first Ironman (sub 14 hrs) feeling good. Well, as good as one can expect to feel.
Other races: Wildflower relay (run) big-whoppie and I’m still feeling good after Canada: XTerra Tahoe and Maui off-road triathlons races
Favorite tri gadget/gear items: swim gear: goggles and lap counter, bike gear: bike short’s pad, arm warmers, and spin bike, and run gear: shoe inserts and most of all the finish line

Favorite Books: I have several, but can’t think of any right now… Guess, they were that provoking…
Favorite Movies: Any ‘007’ Sean Connary flick, Dr. Zhivago, and To Kill a Mocking Bird
Favorite Songs/Artists: U2, Sting, Madonna
Favorite Workout Songs: Anything from Madonna’s recent Confessions on a Dance floor, I love to workout to anything that’s Disco

Morning or Evening: morning
Favorite Web Sites:www.kathruunblogspot.com, www.ironteam.net, www.craigslist.org
Favorite Eatery/Restaurant: Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, anything that’s organic
When you have downtime, how do you spend it? Sleeping and eating

Tell us two lies and a truth about yourself…keep them guessing!
1. I recently learned how to drive a racecar
2. I was airlifted off Mt. Shasta after getting caught in a small rock avalanche
3. I once traveled the world for nearly a year

Location: Oakland
School Attended: Quail Hollow Elementary School, Santa Clara University
Profession: Physical Therapist
Race: Canada
Why: Always wanted to go the distance
Motivation: All cancer sucks
Goal: Finish with a smile
Other Races: San Jose International ???

Favorite tri gadget/gear items: my bike and my running shoes
Favorite Books: Anything by Barbara Kingsolver or involving birds
Favorite Movies: Nothing in particular
Favorite Songs/Artists: Anything by Melissa Ethridge
Favorite Workout Songs: Giant, Crazy by M.E.
Morning or Evening: morning
Favorite Web Sites: I don’t much like computers and they don’t like me
Favorite Eatery/Restaurant: Gordo’s, Cactus Taqueria

When you have downtime, how do you spend it? With the coolest, most beautiful woman in the world (don’t get jealous now) (Raf’s edits: What are you doing hanging out with my wife!!)

Tell us two lies and a truth about yourself…keep them guessing!
I have a three legged dog
I almost drowned in swimming lessons as a kid
I love black licorice

Come cross train in Tahoe! The resorts are open! Best of all, the midweek rental proceeds go right to a fellow TNT members fundraising efforts!

The location and amenities

* Located in the private resort community of Tahoe Donner (10 minutes off 1-80 in Truckee-about 3 hrs from Bay Area.)
* Centrally located within 15 minutes of all the major resorts
* Only 1/2 mile to great cross-country resort with 100’s of kilometers of trails
* Includes guest passes for 8 to Private Trout Creek Recreation center: outdoor lap pool, hot tubs, sauna, state of the art fitness center. (Guest fees extra..)

The Cabin

* Great view of the Carson range!
* Newly renovated in a warm simple Scandinavian style: bright, colorful and very sunny. Newly furnished.
* 3 bedrooms/3bathrooms: all with tubs
* 1 bedroom has king bed, 1 with queen and 1 with 4 twins.
* New beds and bedding-all linens provided.
* Kitchen: well appointed, new appliances
* No garage-lots of off street parking with good local snow removal service for driveway and roads
* NO PETS and NO SMOKING-very clean place, great for allergen sensitive folks.

The Deal

* Midweek only (Sunday-Thursday) non-holiday: thru June 15, 2006
* FULL Rental amount will go directly to Leukemia Society thru active.com site-sorry no refunds or cancels.
* Max of 4 or 5 people
* Minimum stay 2 nights
* We can only accept 3 or 4 reservations for this benefit, so get your reservation in early.

The rates:

* $150/night with a 2-night minimum
* Cleaning Fee: $95
* Security Deposit (returned after stay): $400

For more info and to make a reservation:

* http://www.vrconnection.com/305
* go to vrconnection website to see pictures, more detailed info, availability calendar and to request a reservation.
* be sure to mention under “questions” that you are a tnt member (so you get the special instructions on how to pay active.com)

For questions or additional info, contact TNT member Bev Seabreeze at bseabreeze AT yahoo.com

Bio Information

Location: Martinez
School Attended: Louisiana Tech and Cal State Hayward
Profession: Director of Customer Service at Lafferty Homes

Race: Ironman Canada
Why: Phenominal bragging rights, tight buns, and to see how hard I can push myself.
Motivation: Good cause, good people, and I love a challenge!
Goal: Finish sub 17 with out soiling myself or anyone standing close by.
Other races: 13 marathons and 2 sprint tri’s

Favorite tri gadget/gear items: I am sooo digging on my wetsuit! Love it!
Favorite Books: Stiff by Mary Roach, Time Traveler’s Wife, Into Thin Air
Favorite Movies: Old School, English Patient, 16 Candles, Grease, [she forgot 40 year Old Virgin…almost there]
Favorite Songs/Artists: Too many to list…I like it all!
Favorite Workout Songs: I don’t listen to music when I work out…usually just listen to Maritza bragging about how wonderful she is, which is difficult because she’s usually ! so far behind me I can’t hear her.
Morning or Evening: Depends on the activities of the night before.
Favorite Web Sites: Active.com and southwest.com, my goal is to do a marathon in every state so I visit these 2 sites all the time!
Favorite Eatery/Restaurant: anything mexican

When you have downtime, how do you spend it? Swim/Bike/Run, read, eat, consume fermented beverages, hang out with friends, avoid doing laundry, travel, try to bribe friend’s into cleaning my cats litter box, shop for tri gear, try to convince Maritza she’s not old and slow (BTW, if anyone wants to be Maritza’s Secret Santa she prefers the Extra Absorbant Depends Under Garments in size Grande).

Tell us two lies and a truth about yourself…keep them guessing!
1) I’m still a virgin.
2) My first name is really Mary (as in “The Virgin.”)
3) I’m a really good cook.

Bio Information

Location: Dublin – East Bay
School Attended: University of Redlands – Redlands, CA

Profession: Industrial Real Estate Sales and Leasing, Vice President – Lee & Associates Commercial Real Estate

Race: Ironman Canada
Why: My wife dragged me to a TNT meeting last January and I had no interest in triathlons. 4 Olympic distance events over 8 months and all of a sudden I can’t stop. Now that I’ve got the Olympic distance down I figured it’s time to give the big one a try, especially before having kids and while my wife still encourages me to do so.
Motivation: I like to challenge myself and test myself, it’s for a great cause, and I’ve met some great friends during my past 2 TNT seasons.

Goal: Qualify for Hawaii and get sponsored, quit my job and start training full time. If that doesn’t work out I’ll take finishing in one piece instead.
Other races: Maui Olympic Tri 2005, Alameda Olympic Tri 2005, Los Angeles Olympic Tri 2005, Treasure Island Olympic Tri 2005

Favorite tri gadget/gear items: Oomph! Tri shorts…..super comfortable w/ pockets for gel bottles and Velcro race belt. Make my butt look good too.
Favorite Books: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Green Eggs and Ham, DaVinci Code, Angels & Demons
Favorite Movies: Old School, Spies Like Us, Austin Powers 1 -3, Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs
Favorite Songs/Artists: Metallica, Beastie Boys, The Doors, The Beatles, Britney Spears (I don’t want to hear about it….at least I’m honest!), Green Day, Oasis, Radiohead, Sublime, Run-DMC, Snoop Dogg, NWA (actually all old school and/or gangsta rap)
Favorite Workout Songs: Black Sabbath – IRONMAN; Public Enemy – Bring the Noise; Metallica – anything; Pantera - Walk
Morning or Evening: Morning, noon or night – bring it on!
Favorite Web Sites: It seems the web is generally good for research and porn; I don’t have a favorite for either but am still searching [keep visiting IronTeam.net…gets better towards the end of the season for both]. If email counts that would be it, either on my laptop or Blackberry. Not sure how the world turned without these items.
Favorite Eatery/Restaurant: Lutece (Las Vegas), Claude & Dominique’s (Pleasanton), Hap’s Steak House (Pleasanton), Auberge du Soleil (Napa) and when we’re not snobbin’ it I will gladly eat at any hole in the wall Mexican restaurant that’s open.

When you have downtime, how do you spend it?
Spending time with my wife, Aimee; catching up on TiVo, SF Giants games, trying to watch a KC Chiefs game, traveling outside the US, relaxing anywhere with a beer or glass of wine (or both) in my hand.

Tell us two lies and a truth about yourself…keep them guessing!
1. I starred in TV commercials when I was a kid.
2. I once drank 7 liters of beer in 6 hours.
3. Before we were married my wife and I double dated with Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey before they got married and did Newlyweds. [now you know why Jessica and Nick got divorced]

IronTeam Bio Information

Location: East Bay - Moraga
School Attended: St. Mary’s College
Profession: Mommy Extraordinaire
Race: Ironman Canada
Why: Life long dream ever since watching the IM World Championships every year with a large box of Kleenex. Life is too short not to fill it up with adventure!
Motivation: those who have lost the battle with cancer and those who are still waging war against it!
Goal: Finish the race as strong as possible, even if crawling, finish and be an Iron(wo)man!
Other races: Honolulu Marathon, Nike Women’s Marathon, San Jose International Tri, Bethel Island Tri, Tri for Fun Series

Favorite tri gadget/gear items: Heart rate monitor
Favorite Books: Little Women, Jane Eyre, The Notebook, Five People You Meet in Heaven, classics, especially girly romance ones
Favorite Movies: Braveheart, Emma, Sense & Sensibility, Princess Bride
Favorite Songs/Artists: classical to country, eclectic is an understatement
Favorite Workout Songs: hip hop, classic R & R, anything that you just can’t help move to, usually singing along
Morning or Evening: Definitely morning
Favorite Web Sites:
Favorite Eatery/Restaurant: Tiramisu, Lark Creek Café, PF Chang’s

When you have downtime, how do you spend it? With two little kids, downtime is a stretch, but time by myself is a rare gift. Reading, watching some TV with my feet up, getting a pedicure.

Tell us two lies and a truth about yourself…keep them guessing!
I was a top ROTC cadet in college.
I got to sing on stage with Huey Lewis and the News in the mid 80’s.
I was voted most likely to be heard without a microphone in high school.

Honoree Bio – Larissa Campaña, age 10
Born August 31st, 1995 in Berkeley (That’s an awesome birth date!)
Mom’s name, Juanita Carroll Young

Diagnosis
My daughter, Larissa, took her first steps on the day after her first birthday. In doing so, she missed showing off for the fifty or so guests assembled for her party—an early indication of Larissa’s headstrong nature—she knew what she wanted and when she wanted to do it.

Like most early walkers, Larissa fell down all too often, getting little bumps and scrapes on her knees. About a month after her first steps, one of the scrapes on her knee didn’t heal up as quickly as the others had. That is to say, it looked odd, and it went back and forth between healing and looking re-infected. On top of that, my little fireball took more naps, quite unusual behavior for her.

My mom is a registered nurse. Within a couple of hours of noticing that Larissa had a fever we went to the emergency room at Children’s Hospital, on Mom’s advice. Her fear was that Larissa had a septicemia—an infection of the bloodstream—and that my girl needed intravenous antibiotics. It seemed worth checking out.

The emergency room doctor looked Larissa over and prescribed an oral antibiotic for her. On the way out of the exam room, she hesitated. She looked at Larissa one more time, asked me again about Larissa’s unusual lethargy, and then ordered blood tests. Maybe Mom was right about the possibility of more serious infection.

Larissa’s bedtime came and went while we waited for the results. It seemed to take forever for the doctor to return, and I got annoyed. Finally, after what seemed like hours, we were called to another room. The doctor we met there was young and looked nervous. He was an oncology intern, and on call that evening (FYI—oncology is related to cancer). His news was that Larissa had leukemia. No wonder he was nervous.

I don’t remember if I cried. Not that our conversation is an entire blur—I remember the young intern telling us about our immediate game plan, which included intravenous antibiotics and chemotherapy. At about midnight we were sent up to the fifth floor to get started. Waking in my daughter’s hospital bed the next morning, I was struck by the feeling that I had fallen out of bed and woke up in hell.

Treatment
As the parent of a kid with leukemia, you don’t get much time to absorb the news before you are intimately involved with your child’s care. That first full day at Children’s, a surgeon inserted a tube through Larissa’s chest all the way into her aorta, just beside her heart. As scary as that sounds, imagine being told that you have to learn to draw blood from that tube, and that you are responsible for keeping the dressing around it clean. A clinical nurse educator let me practice on a doll first. Pretty soon, it wasn’t a big deal pushing anti-coagulants and sterile water from a syringe into the tube sticking out of Larissa’s chest. I graduated! The tube’s importance was that it allowed Larissa to avoid feeling like a pincushion from all of the shots and blood tests they would be giving her.

The head of the oncology department soon met with me to explain in greater depth what was going on. He talked to me about the great success brought about by leukemia research, about how the survival rate is so much better today. My mother agreed: when she was training for nursing in the 1960s she was told to prepare parents of children diagnosed with leukemia for their kids’ inevitable deaths. The oncology expert let me know that there was an 80% chance of a cure for Larissa, and that each month Larissa stayed cancer-free after her initial treatment, her chances of survival increased exponentially. He laid out a schedule of chemotherapy for me that included intensive phases interspersed with moderate phases, over the course of two years (ouch!).

Two weeks after the diagnosis, and with a bag full of chemotherapy drugs and medical supplies for the tube in Larissa’s chest, we were sent home from the hospital. Some friends pitched in with my mother and cleaned our cottage for us, to help Larissa stay infection-free. Larissa managed to down about 5 different kinds of crushed pills a day, with the help of a little juice.

Pretty soon, Larissa lost her hair from one of the chemo drugs, and her face got round from another drug. We visited the outpatient clinic about three times a week for treatments, and the hospital ward less often, when Larissa’s low immune system created fevers, and she needed IV drugs. It wasn’t that bad. The worst part for us both was replacing the gauze around the chest tube, which involved my mom holding her down while I ripped the clear tape off of her skin. We had to do this every time she bathed, which was every other day.

At the hospital, we made friends with staff and patient families. As horrible as our situation was, there was always someone else who had it much worse. (One other single mom that I met there had just given birth to a new baby when her one-year-old was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Those two children grew up running the halls of that hospital.) The chaplain at Children’s Hospital, Sister Bernadette, very gently helped me through my feelings of guilt for my daughter’s cancer. Our favorite part of being in the hospital was the food. Larissa loved the french fries, while I adored all of the down-home cooking that came out of the hospital kitchen. Someone there must have been from the South, as grits and barbecue made frequent appearances on the menu.

Two years passed, Larissa’s hair grew back, and I grew familiar with the patterns of life on treatment for leukemia. At the very end of treatment, her body sensitized to even the slightest doses of the chemotherapy drugs, Larissa spent a couple of months in the hospital with fevers. It did seem so very unfair. At one point, the doctors even investigated whether a relapse of the leukemia was responsible for her low immunity. Then, without undue drama, Larissa took her last chemotherapy pill in December 1998. Before she learned to ride a tricycle, she had undergone more than two full years of chemotherapy.

Since Treatment
The first six months off of treatment were the most terrifying, because that is when relapses would usually occur. We started putting our lives back together, with Larissa in a preschool, and me at grad school trying to finish up a master’s degree. At a time you would think we’d be the most triumphant, with two years of treatment over, we both had emotional difficulties. Several times, Larissa ran across the rug at quiet time in her preschool to beat up her best friend. During that period, Larissa started in individual counseling, and we attended The Louie Group, a support group for families of kids with cancer. Again, we made friends who helped us through.

At the present time, in the fall of 2005, Larissa is ten years old. She has an amazing personal strength, in her body, in her will, and in her heart. Larissa loves to be sympathetic; she will always go and greet another child who is shy or new, and when she’s new herself, she’ll always go right up to other children and start to play. If I don’t watch her, she’ll give away all of her favorite possessions.

Since Larissa’s health has returned, it’s our turn to be grateful. We find great satisfaction in doing volunteer work like Team in Training, as well as doing public speaking for Children’s Hospital. And we really do appreciate the effort that Team in Training participants put out. As Larissa says, “Team in Training are my heroes.” That “give back” mentality continually motivates us. Even in my professional career, I chose to work for a non-profit agency involved in saving lives.

In terms of likes and dislikes, Larissa loves all the usual ten-year-old stuff: reading mysteries, watching movies, visiting friends, swimming, riding her scooter, Bratz dolls, pizza, etc. She says she wants to be a florist when she grows up. She hates to have her hair brushed, bedtime, and having to get to school on time. All in all, Larissa is turning out to be a pretty normal big girl.