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Buy a Block to Build Hope

As some of you will remember, when I was training for my first Ironman in 2007, I decided to raise money to help support the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF). Despite the fact that I haven’t been actively fundraising for them in a few years, I continue to support CAF. I donate to them regularly and proudly wear my CAF kit during triathlons.

Two years ago a massive fire destroyed their offices right before one of the San Diego Triathlon Challenge, one of their biggest annual events. They are now in the process of building a new national headquarters and training center in San Diego and are inviting supporters to buy “blocks” that will be part of the building. The blocks can be inscribed with names or other messages. We bought ours and you can too, by clicking here.

Buying the CAF block reminded me that in 2004, when PetCo Park first opened in San Diego, they sold bricks that fans could inscribe. We bought one for my dad for his birthday (I think). It’s fun walking into the ballpark and finding that brick. His says:

I saw a doctor today about my achilles. He repeated what I heard in October – that whatever’s going on is minor and just needs to be worked through – and gave me some drills and exercises to try. It’s still not clear to me why it was fine for a 50 mile race but hurt 2 miles into my run last week. I guess the answer is just that I didn’t fix it 100% last time and running 50 miles on a mostly healed achilles was just too much. I trust this guy – he’s an Ironman triathlete and an ultrarunner who’s also planning on doing his first 100 this year. He understood where I’m coming from and presented some options and back-up plans for me to try. I’m going to stay away from any “real” running for at least another week or so and do his drills and exercises. I’m glad that it’s only January; there’s no stress to push through this and I have plenty of time to heal. I’m also thankful that neither swimming nor cycling seem to bother my achilles – tomorrow I’m going to shoot for a 3,700 meter swim in honor of my 37th birthday!

Bike – January 5
Distance: 20.1 miles
Time: 1:20
Course: Home to Griffith Park, Barham, back
Conditions: Sunny, mid/high-50’s

Swim – January 5
Distance: 3,281 yards (3,000 meters)
Time: 1:00