70.3 for IBD – Team Challenge And The Crohn’s Colitis Foundation (Part 2) – 2 Minute Read
In recent years my advocacy has been less consistent than I would have liked. Life has improved, and I am soaking up being comfortable in my new normal since making my ostomy permanent. But helping others is still a massive passion of mine, and I will always do what I can.
My story with Crohn’s disease, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and living with an ostomy is a long one. If you want to read more about my journey, click here.
Challenge America Maine 70.3 2015
This year I am going back to IRONMAN Maine 70.3 for round to of 70.3 for IBD. It was 5 years ago when I took on the challenge of my first 70.3 mile half IRONMAN race. At the time we were still fundraising for the Intense Intestines Foundation (a charity that I founded to help others with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and ostomies), so I created a fundraiser called 70.3 for IBD.
It took a ton of work, but I was able to cross the finish line in 6:43. After a 1.2-mile swim in the Atlantic Ocean, a 56-mile bike ride through the Maine countryside, and a 13.1-mile run along the coast, I could say I completed all 70.3 miles of a half IRONMAN distance triathlon. It’s hard for me to describe that feeling of achieving such a distance.
IRONMAN Mont Tremblant 2018
Now I am going back to Old Orchard Beach, Maine on August 25th to complete IRONMAN Maine 70.3 again. I can’t wait to take on this course and see what 5 years of triathlon experience has done for me. This will also be my first 70.3 since completing a 140.6-mile full IRONMAN in Mont Tremblant last year.
With that kind of experience, putting in the work when I train, and a different mindset 5 years later, I am hoping to cross the finish line in under 6 hours. I know this is a lofty goal, but I also think it is doable. I now have 4 half IRONMAN 70.3 distances under my belt, going for number 5 has to be a lot different than number 1.
Team Challenge is an amazing program for the Crohn’s Colitis Foundation. They put on a wide variety of events every year, all across the country to raise critical funds for patients and their families with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
The fund raised go towards finding better treatments, a cure one day, a special camp for kids with inflammatory bowel disease, educational programs to help patients, and more.
Team Challenge 2019
To help others just like me with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and ostomies, please consider a donation to the Crohn’s Colitis Foundation with…
Your support means the world to me and is greatly appreciated.