July 20, 2011

by: Client Contributor

Team Marley’s First Triathlon

The whole concept of us doing the Cleveland Triathlon was overwhelming at first.  We certainly wanted to support Team UCP so our first step was attending the kick off meeting in the spring.  On the ride (1 1/2 hours) home, Mom and I talked about it and in between the tears (it was a very moving presentation) and conversation we decided we needed to show our support for Marley and UCP. 

We presented the idea to the rest of the family and then there was a lot of self doubt on whether we were physically able to do it.  Then the light went on – what were we saying? “Physically able?”  Marley struggles daily with being physically able, so that was the deciding point, and Team Marley was formed.

We haven’t been very creative in the fundraising department.  Our strategy was to send out a letter using facebook, e-mail and the USPS to ask for contributions.  This has done okay but next year we are thinking of doing some fundraisers at local events.  I think after we get the first year of training under our belt we will be able to focus on fundraising and not so much the actual race.   Once you do the race it’s cake next year right?  Please say “right.”

We bought “Training for Your First Triathlon” and have used it as a guide, it has a 12 week training schedule we have tried to follow.  Believe me it has been a challenge trying to  find the time, energy and someone to watch the kids. And then those times you decide to take the kids (5) with you and everybody wants a drink, they have to go to the bathroom, they’re bored,  they’re hot, how much longer?  That’s another whole dimension of training. But we’re down to the wire and we have gone from our first goal of not drowning in the 300 yard swim to thinking we can do all of the super sprint.

It certainly has been an exercise of determination, but we are following Marley’s lead and when she crosses that finish line on August 7, we will once again be reminded of the importance of family and how much Marley has bettered our lives  and how much UCP has bettered Marley’s life.

Briana Rickly, Parent of UCP Client Marley

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