25 July 2005
You wanted me to tell you how the race went on Sunday....
The Ironman was the most amazing day of my life! It's difficult to put
into words exactly how I felt. It was the culmination of months and months
of intense training and a dream I have had for years. I felt strong and
had a smile on my face the entire day.
Swim- 2.4 miles- 1:05:22
The swim was a spectacular sight. 2,000 athletes all starting at the same
time. It was total chaos in the water. There were scubadivers under water,
helocopters flying above us and canoes, kayaks, everywhere.
Bike- 112 miles- 6:45:03
The bike ride, although very challenging, was absolutely breathtaking.
I took my time spinning up all the hills in order to save my legs for
the marathon that followed. Despite a cramp I had the whole bike ride,
I felt very strong. The last 11 miles were all uphill. After that I was
ready to get off my bike.
Run- 26.2miles- 5:23:17
The marathon was the hardest discipline for me. The first half I felt
pretty good. By the second half my quads and right knee were really hurting.
At mile 20 my knee hurt too much, so I had to walk. My brother Steve got
me jogging again at mile 24 and I never stopped again until I crossed
the white line. The "finish line" was the biggest adrenaline
rush of my life. It was truly an AWESOME sight!
Total time: 13:28:34 I had hoped to finish in less than 17 hours, so I
felt very good about this time!
Best of all was when the judges let my Dad put the medal
around my neck.
I came in second in the Janus Challenge, which means they
will donate $8,000 to VHLFA. Thanks to everyone who supported me and my
Dad and helped us raise money to find a cure!
Melissa
22 July 2005
Tomorrow I turn in my tally of donations for the Janus Challenge. Won't
you help raise the total? Click
here to donate safely online. Thank you!
19 July 2005
We leave tomorrow for Lake Placid! It's almost here. There's a front-page
story today in the Buffalo News.
There is still time to help me reach my monetary goal to gain awareness
and help find a cure for VHL, the disease that afflicts my father. Donations
are tax-deductible and they go directly to the Cancer Research Fund/VHL.
If I'm one of the top fundraisers in the Triathlon, the Janus Fund will
give another sum of money to fight VHL -- as much as $10,000! So please
help me win this bonus for VHL.
14 July 2005
There were some reporters here from Buffalo to interview my Dad and me.
Look for another article soon!
7 July 2005
Three weeks to go! The excitement is building. We're getting ready for
the Big Day.
Here are two photos of “Team VHL.” There will be twenty-four
of us on race day!
Pictured in the photo is my Aunt Sue (who is making a spaghetti feast
the night before the race at their campground) my Uncle Tom, Mom, Dad,
and me.
Don't forget that you can watch the results live on Race
Day, July 24.
20 June 2005
I'm just glad I can be home this Father's Day. My home town paper in
Jamestown, New York, ran a front-page article
by Scott Kindberg about my dad and me and our work to raise money
for VHL research.
I'm right on schedule. My Dad is my inspiration. He's such a fighter.
I think I got my determination from him.
31 May 2005
I'm headed north to New York to train in the hills and cooler weather
for the last seven weeks of my training. Yeahh! |
Melissa Gokey-Thomas
Triathlete
Janus Capital Challenge Participant
Photo by Roger Rosselli, Jr., of the Post Journal
Melissa Thomas of Magnolia, Texas, will be challenged
to endure a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2 mile run
in the 7th Annual USA Ironman Triathlon in Lake Placid, New York, on Sunday, July 24, 2005 |
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My race yesterday in Austin, Memorial Day, was awesome! I felt really
strong. I had a personal record (PR) for the Olympic distance. I placed
6th out of 95 in my age group and had a lot left at the end of the race.
I was excited -- it was a great boost!
I decided not to do the Sylvania race in
Ohio June 12. I need to focus on training longer and not risk injury at
this point.
I'm training with a fabulous coach, 6-time Ironman World Champion Mark
Allen
The Janus Capital Group has challenged the athletes! The Janus Fund will contribute additional
money to the top 30 fundraisers in the Lake Placid Triathlon. If I am
the top fundraiser, the Janus Fund will contribute $10,000 to VHL research!
I am striving to meet the Janus Challenge! I need your help to do it!
Please help raise money for VHL Research! Together, we can meet this
challenge! Click here
to donate safely online
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