Anything is Possible: The Road to Kona and Beyond

Is it possible to qualify for Kona by carrying 140 people with you on the swim, bike and run? In preparation for Ironman Arizona on November 22, 2009, I realized that it was going to be a challenging event and I was going to need a lot of support. I’m an oncology nurse at the University of Maryland Medical Center, and my patients are a very big part of my triathlon life. My passion for triathlon and helping those facing cancer has led to the creation of TEAM INSPIRATION. Our mission is to facilitate healing and improve the quality of life for individuals with cancer. I decided to carry my beloved patients and others who have been affected by cancer with me during Ironman Arizona. I wore 140 LIVESTRONG bracelets with the name of our cancer patients written on them, as well as others who have survived or passed because of cancer. I wore 2 bracelets on my wrists for the swim, 112 attached to my bike, and carried 26 in my hands during the run.

I spend a lot of time with my patients discussing what it takes to navigate the difficult challenges when diagnosed with cancer. From them, I’ve learned that we are meant to face these challenges together. As I tell my patients, most of my inspiration for training and racing comes from them. I’m blessed to be able to leave the hospital and replenish my body, mind and spirit with swimming, cycling and running, and I try to bring that joyful energy back to my patients and inspire them with hope!

Race day was an extraordinary experience. I had so many wonderful people with me. Not only those whose names were on the bracelets, but those who cheered me on from wherever they were race day. I needed everyone’s support. The mass start of an Ironman swim was made more challenging by the cold water temperature and tight quarters of the Tempe Town Lake. But I was reminded with each stroke, as I saw the bracelets on my wrists, that I wasn’t alone! During the ride, one fellow triathlete asked the significance of the 112 bracelets. I related to him my story. He told me his mom had just been diagnosed with cancer and he was dedicating his Ironman race to her. I told him his mom was now on board with us, too! With about 10 miles left to go on the bike, I became overwhelmed with gratitude at the honor of having so many wonderful people in my life, and I must admit I cried, as I often do during a triathlon, because it’s such an incredible experience! On to the run and the plan was to wear 26 bracelets on my race belt, but this quickly proved to be awkward so I carried the 26 bracelets in my hands. It was a wonderful experience to "hold" everyone as I ran and they pushed me through the long run!

The blue-sky dream of every triathlete is to compete at the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii. I know it was only with the energy, hope, love, and support of so many that I achieved this magnificent honor. My second place age group finish qualified me for Kona 2010! As my triathlete friend stated, “Super-congratulations on an accomplishment that people try all their lives for and never reach. Sounds like the people you are carrying around with you pushed you all the way through to a victory.”

This is absolutely true and the ultimate blue-sky dream is a world that is cancer free. The Ironman motto is “Anything is Possible”, so let’s go for the ultimate “victory” together!

So now it’s on to Kona and I would like to invite everyone to be a part of this journey with me. Together we can realize our dreams. Please contact me through our website at www.TeamInspiration.org or on Facebook so that we can continue to achieve our victories together! Thanks and Aloha! Roseann

Iron Girl Triathlon, August 23, 2009

What a beautiful day for triathlon!













Team Inspiration was on the water and at the bike transition to help make sure all the Iron Girls had a fun, safe, and succesful triathlon.


The Iron Girls did an awesome job on the swim. The countdown to the last bouys always seems to be the toughest part...and then there's the bike!



Wow! Gotta be on the lookout for the wanna be's! Sorry it's a girl thing, but nice try and cute outfit! I hear there is going to be a new sprint distance next season - just cuz we don't want to leave the guys out completely!

North East Triathlon, August 16, 2009

Tiffany Desantis finished her very first triathlon at North East! She will post her experience to share with those who are thinking of taking on the challenge and thrill of triathlon - stay tuned!

Xterra EX2 Off Road Triathlon, July 12, 2009

This was an awesome race from start to finish! The lake swim was fast and fun, the mountain biking was so much fun you didn't even realize how hard you were working and the run was beautiful, but very challenging and extremely technical; especially the rock climb! Excellent post race celebration with lots of great pizza! Can't wait until next year and look forward to introducing some new teammates to this one!

Eagleman 70.3 Triathlon, June 14, 2009

Fortunately Eagleman 2009 was not has blistering hot as 2008. The notorious headwinds were a part of the bike course, although they didn't become brutal until the last 15 miles of ride! Those of us who were lucky enough to be in the early waves were blessed with some cloud cover on the run which made the 13.1 miles much more bearable. Overall I think everyone had some fast times this year. Team Inspiration's fundraising efforts were dedicated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

TEAM INSPIRATION 2009 EVENTS

Columbia Triathlon - May 17, 2009




Despite a short training season and an even shorter fundraising season, TEAM INSPIRATION had a very successful inaugural event at the Columbia Triathlon in Ellicott City, Maryland. Our relay teams came through like pros and although this was a first time triathlon for many of our members, we raised funds for all of our partner charities including The Ulman Fund, LIVESTRONG Foundation, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, American Cancer Society, Komen for the Cure, Wounded Warrrior Project, and The War on ALS.

Thank you to all of our TEAM INSPIRATION teammates and all of our generous supporters!

Each of our teammates had a teammate they were racing and fundraising in honor of. Two of our teammates, Ben and Ryan, raced in honor of a young cancer patient named Dan. Ben and Ryan's fundraising efforts were dedicated to the Ulman Fund for Young Adults. Another one of our runners, Kellin, raced in honor of a young, wounded soldier name Ryan, who received extensive care at Shock Trauma. His fundraising efforts were dedicated to the Wounded Warrior Project. Kellin is currently at OCS and will graduate as a First Lieutenant Marine in August. Both Dan and Ryan have received reiki and other forms of integrative healing as part of their care. We hope to have both of these young men racing with TEAM INSPIRATION next season.






On the course at Columbia!





It's not too early to think about next year! Check out the Columbia Triathlon website @ www.tricolumbia.org and let us know if you want to join us next year! For more info contact roseann@teaminspiration.org.





Maryland Half Marathon - May 31, 2009

The inaugural Maryland Half Marathon held in Timonium was a huge success with a field of 2009 runners. This was a fundraising event for the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Geenebaum Cancer Center and was a wonderful opportunity for me to race and fundraise on behalf of my beloved patients.

During the post race festivities I ran into the family of a former patient who very sadly had passed away last year. His name was Matt and I had become very close to his sister who is also a runner. It was an honor to care for her brother, and I shared with her my journey two years earlier losing my brother to cancer. I could see in both of our brothers, the love and pride they had for their families: Their wives, children, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, and all of their extended family and friends.

It takes an immense amount of support to get through such challenging circumstances and we cannot do it alone. The precious gift we receive, which makes the most diffficult times bearable, is the outpouring of love from so many people.

It was truly a gift to see Matt’s sister, wife, and daughter at the race. Matt’s sister Debbie ran the JFK 50 miler this year in honor of her brother who would have been celebrating his 50th birthday. I know he is extremely proud of her. I remember clearly how is eyes would sparkle when he spoke of her running accomplishments, especially the Marine Corp Marathon. But 50 miles! That’s love and inspiration at its best!