You Had Me At $2800

(Liz Hatch, pro cyclist and unofficial icon of my gratitude to all our donors.)

With four whole days left before the race, I am thrilled to announce that we have EXCEEDED our fundraising goal of USD $2800!! This is, of course, thanks to all of you who have donated and supported our cause over the past few months. It really means a lot to Tamima and me that we have friends and family who are willing to help us help others. We had a fantastic fundraising party last Saturday night, and we have nothing but warm sentiments for everyone who showed up and/or donated.

In training news, last night (Wednesday) was my last swim workout, and tonight (Thursday) will be my last run workout before Sunday's race! It is likely that they will also be my last swim and run workout for a good long time, at least until I forget how nonplussed I am about swimming and running. Rest assured, I will always keep cycling. That is because bicycles are awesome, and riding them is fun. Anyway, it's been good to get out of my comfort zone for a while and appreciate the masochism of serious athletes.

The countdown continues... wish me luck! We can still raise plenty more cash for Israel's victims of terror; just because we reached our goal doesn't mean those victims don't need all the help we can give them. And if you're in the New York City Area this Sunday, come out and watch me flop my way to the finish line- the spectre of Liz Hatch compels you.

The Final Countdown

In twelve days I will take the plunge into the Hudson River and subject myself to the mercy of the triathlon gods (i.e. the faster, stronger triathletes who swim on top of their slower, weaker racemates).

Seriously, that's what happens in the swim portion of the race. Last week at practice, we did an "open water simulation" exercise in which the lane lines were removed from the pool and we all swam in a circle at once. It was every swimmer for his or her pathetic self. The only consolation to being kicked and jabbed multiple times, is that I too kicked and jabbed multiple people multiple times.

This, I suppose, is a metaphor for life. There will always be faster, wetter people grappling their way past you. The best you can do, as you briefly swim beside them, is to stick your elbow in their ribs ever so slyly and find joy in gliding along at your own pace.

Over the next twelve days I'll be making a final push for donations to Team One Family. This organization does so many good things for noncombatant people in Israel who have been cruelly victimized by senseless acts of terror. Check out this video, and don't forget to DONATE! Every little bit counts.