Well our team of 15 folks participated in the Seattle Big Climb a few weeks ago for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. I took a risk back in Nov. to start a team and train them all twice a week until the event. They all did really well. The best part was the connections everyone made with each other. Also, I am typically so competitive that I loose myself and I didn’t on this event, I didn’t win but I feel like I did because I helped 14 other people participate in an event they wouldn’t of done alone and it was for a good cause. On a sadder note, my coworker who has Lymphoma has been struggling with it for a year is back in the emergency ward and may not make it out this time.

Our next challenge: Our team is meeting again next weekend for the first time since the event for a pot luck and to discuss our next challenge. I am committing to do a novice triathalon: 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run. Doesn’t sound too difficult except that I’m not a swimmer and individually I could do these events, but putting them together in a large crowd is another matter. So this week, I am going to the local Y and start swimming once a week. And I am going to try to convince my Big Climb team mates to do it with me!!!!

Anita Horsley lives in Eugene, OR with her life partner of 9 years. She works for the Oregon State Fire Marshal office as a training & development specialist and was a firefighter for 10 years prior to that. She won the World Champion firefighter combat challenge in 2005 in addition to the State and National championship 2004-2006. She loves the outdoors, running in the woods with her dogs and traveling. Visit Anita's website.
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