Those Who Tri

This is the best way for you to enjoy the NCAA Basketball Tournament this year because the money you're putting in is going towards helping to cure cancer!

Get started by using the PayPal donation button below (or if you want to pick now & pay later, email me at chriscbs@gmail.com and I'll send you an invite!).

Over 400 people have been invited to participate. Prizes will be 25% to the 1st place person, and 15% to the second place! If I reach my goal that will equal prizes of $2,500 and $1,500 or more!

I'm asking for a $25 Donation per bracket (maximum of 3). Use the PayPal donation button below to donate. You'll receive an email shortly inviting you to the CBSSportsLine.com bracket site where you can setup your brackets.

Donate now! The deadline to setup your brackets is Noon eastern time this Thursday! (March 19th).

1. Make your donation (below).
2. Click on the link in the email that you get to access CBSSportsline.com.
3. Setup your brackets!
   

Invite your friends; increase the prize amount and help me meet my goal!

All of the proceeds, minus the prize pay-out will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Thanks to everyone who has helped me so far in my attempt to raise $3,900 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and complete the 2009 St. Anthony's Triathlon, and good luck with your bracket!

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Chris Spiek is serving as a volunteer for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Michigan Chapter, and is eligible to collect funds on its behalf. Click for full letter of authorization.

I was in the first group of little punks to go all the way through Hart Middle School in Rochester after it was first built (grades 6-8).

Up until a few weeks ago, I had almost completely forgotten that little useless fact, and then I met someone who reminded me of it.

Early on a Saturday morning, the St. Anthony's TNT Michigan team gathered in Birmingham for a bike+run brick. It turned out to be way too cold to run outside that day so it was decided that we would workout for an extra few minutes on the bike instead, then listen to a guest that our swim coach had brought with her who was visiting from Atlanta.

The team packed up our bikes, did some stretching, and gathered in a corner of the gym to hear what this amazing athlete had to say.

Our swim coach introduced her as Laura Sophiea, a three time Kona Ironman winner, and 16 time competitor.

She began to share her wisdom with us about what to expect on race-day, how to eat the night before and that morning, how to handle transitions, and all of the other incredible knowledge that she has accumulated through years of professional competition. We listened intently as she talked about her training schedule and how she prepares for a race, and exchanged the kinds of glances with each other that anyone could easily interpret as, "man this is gonna be tough ..."

As she spoke, I started to come to a shocking realization, "I know this woman from somewhere."

When she was finished speaking and gracefully answering all of the questions that we could manage to fire at her, the crowd dissipated and I finally had a chance to speak with her.

This was, indeed, my middle school librarian!

It was fantastic to have an opportunity to catch up with her and dig a little deeper into the life of a professional triathlete.

In addition to competing professionally, Laura has developed a triathlon coaching program which she offers through her company, Tri Masters Coach. If you're a triathlete and you're looking for some inspiration, visit their site and read through their race-day stories!

I need your help in reaching my $3,900 fund raising goal!

Here's your chance to make a donation, and come away with a cool looking tshirt! The shirt displays the Team in Training logo on the front, along with "St. Anthony's Triathlon 2009" and has the image to the right on the back.

$10 of every tshirt will go directly towards curing cancer. Every donation counts!

Order online at my CafePress store.