Hey All,
I wanted to try and introduce you to a young lady that your donations have directly helped. Her name is Dominie Burwell and she is pictured above (right) with my daughter Chelsea (left). I have had the pleasure of hanging out with Dominee on several occassions, including a century ride in Hawaii. At the recent Honored Teammate Breakfast I asked Dominie if she would answer a few questions for me.......
How old are you?
I'm 13 I'll be 14 on August 14.
What is you favorite color?
My favorite color is pink.
What type of cancer do you have?
I have Hodgkins Lymphoma. I have had it for a year and a half. I'm done with all treatment.
What is your favorite thing about Team in Training?
My favorite thing about Team and Training is all the fun I have at the rides.
Dominie rides in the SAG (Support and Gear) vehicle and on those hot Arizona days, she squirts us with super soakers.
I love your crazy socks, do you always wear them, or just at the TNT events?
Well I got the crazy socks in Tucson when I was getting my stem cell transplant. I wore them in the hospital alot and that was the first time I'd wore them outside of the hospital.
Who is your favorite Musical group?
My favorite band is the Jonas Brothers!!! I love them!!! I met them in Tucson!!
I know you have a couple of special trips coming up, can you tell me about them?
Well for my junior high graduation my grandma got tickets for her, me, and my mom for a cruise. I go on monday. It goes to Cantilina Island and Mexico. My other trip is my Make-A-Wish. I'm going to Paris!! I found out that my wish had been approved right after I relapsed. I've wanted to go to Paris all my life so I'm really excited.
Is there anybody you would like to thank?
I guess I'd like to thank all the nurses and doctor that took care of me.
Is there any thing else you would like to tell us or add?
No there is nothing else I'd like to add.
>
> Dominie- Thank you so much for answering my questions, you are a true inspiration to me and I use your strength and courage everyday in my life. Thank you!
I hope you all enjoyed meeting Dominie, she is truly a very strong young lady and is alot of fun to be around. It is because of people like you, that I get the opportunity to meet and help wonderful people like Dominie and her family.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
70.3 HALF IRONMAN
I just can't say "THANK YOU" enough, if you are reading this than you are part of my team. I have set some lofty goals for 2008; including racing in the SOMA HALF IRONMAN TRIATHLON and raising $10,000.00 for The Leukemia Lymphoma Society.
Over the past year I have become very close to this cause, not because someone in my family or a close friend has been diagnosed with cancer, but because of all the great people I have meet since becoming involved. No one asked me to do anything for them, they just say thank you when something is done. The kids are the best, no gimme gimme, or I want Iwant, they just smile and say thank you for taking a minute of time and talking to them, they are just happy to have a fighting chance at life. By sweating and donating and giving time; we, together are giving them that chance, and over the next few weeks I hope to introduce you to them.
If you feel the urge to send the fundraising web address to anyone you think would like to join our team, please send them to: http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/somatri08/bjones
And when they make a contribution, I will send them the link to our blog page.
I will never be able to say thank you enough for joining with me to fight the blood cancers of our world.
Aloha,
Bruce
PS- Here are some fun stats
Starting weight 231 lbs
400M swim time 7:39
1 mile run 12:45 (couldn't make it without walking)
Pant size 36
Over the past year I have become very close to this cause, not because someone in my family or a close friend has been diagnosed with cancer, but because of all the great people I have meet since becoming involved. No one asked me to do anything for them, they just say thank you when something is done. The kids are the best, no gimme gimme, or I want Iwant, they just smile and say thank you for taking a minute of time and talking to them, they are just happy to have a fighting chance at life. By sweating and donating and giving time; we, together are giving them that chance, and over the next few weeks I hope to introduce you to them.
If you feel the urge to send the fundraising web address to anyone you think would like to join our team, please send them to: http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/somatri08/bjones
And when they make a contribution, I will send them the link to our blog page.
I will never be able to say thank you enough for joining with me to fight the blood cancers of our world.
Aloha,
Bruce
PS- Here are some fun stats
Starting weight 231 lbs
400M swim time 7:39
1 mile run 12:45 (couldn't make it without walking)
Pant size 36
Monday, October 29, 2007
The Journey's End.........Or is it????
I know I have said “thank you” 100 times over the past few months, but with your help I was able to achieve a personal goal, and together we helped raise over 75,000 dollars for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.
Some words to think about: “IF WHAT YOU DID YESTERDAY SEEMS BIG, YOU HAVEN’T DONE ANYTHING TODAY” I’m thinking…………. Half- Ironman in May of 2008- I’ll be in touch………………………….
SOMA Quarter Ironman- Race Weekend
The weekend started Saturday with a quick warm up swim in Tempe Town Lake. This is where it is all going to happen tomorrow morning at 6:30AM sharp. My honored teammate Mike Carbajal and I did an out and back warm up of about 800 yards just trying to ease our nerves and get a little more comfortable with the lake. Then a Team in Training pre-event Pasta Party and it’s off to bed for a good nights sleep. Yeah right! Someone must have forgot to tell the Soma organizers that the night before our event was the ASU Home Coming and that the entire town of Tempe would be rock’n all night. I finally dosed off around midnight and at 3:00am I was awaken by a thundering pounding on the hotel room door, so I jumped out of bed and stormed over to see who it was, saying to myself “who the F@%* is that, don’t they know I have to get up in 1 hour?” So, I peered though the peep hole and saw 3 very large, drunk, ASU meatheads, and decided that it was time to go back to bed.
Caraline walked me over the course at 5:15AM and I entered the 70 degree water at 6:15 to get ready for the gun to sound. BANG! 300 of us are off and I let’em have, it’s like a boxing match with your eyes closed, your trying to swim but, BOOM another shot to the face, POW another kick to the chest, and now the panic starts to set in. So, I pulled up and did a little breaststroke. I’m going to let these Amazon swimmers go ahead, and I’ll have some smooth water. Nope- here comes the next wave of 300 simmers and the are gonna run me over. So after about 200 yards of doing battle and trying to get into a rhythm, I put my head down and started swinging, I mean swimming. I finished the swim in 28:41, that’s 1:19 ahead of schedule.
I came out of the water and headed for the transition area, I was ready to bike. I ripped my wetsuit off and started to get my gear on. I had a little trouble with my socks, but got through T1 in 4:03.
I mounted my bike and headed out on the course. This course has several hills and U-turns, which made for a tough ride. I would power up a hill at 6 miles an hour, make the U-turn and OH YEAH hit the downhill reaching speeds over 30 miles an hour, only to have to slam on the brakes and make a sharp turn to back up another hill. There was no real areas where I was able to enjoy the coasting rewards of a good downhill. After passing several people with flat tires and other mechanical problems (including my own teammates) I thanked God that I had not any problems. I completed the 29.2 mile bike course in 1:51:18, which was 8:42 ahead of schedule, and I now have almost a 10 minute head start on my goal of finishing under 4 hours.
I hit the transition area (T2) and slammer jammer baby, 1:46 and I’m gone, off for the 6.5 mile run.
The Run, It’s just over a 10K, 6.5 miles, no big deal, one trip around the lake with a short out and back on the north side. I had set a goal of 1:30:00 and I was going to only walk 1 minute per mile. My mind was focused and my legs were moving, the first 3 miles went really well, But then the mind games started, and this is were I started to fade. My feet were numb, sweat was dripping into my eyes, and I started complaining to myself and the runners around me. The short out and back on the north side, turned out to be ¾ of a mile out and ¾ back, and I was not happy. During the out and back I would run and then walk, and there was a young girl (race #1300) who would pass me and then I would pass her. We did this several times until one time she ran up next to me as I was walking and said “I think I’ll run next to you, beings we seem to be going the same pace” And I said great and started to run next to her. Together we set little goals, let’s run all the way to the next aid station, let’s run over the bridge. Then as we rolled into the final mile I said to her “I really want to beat the 4 hour mark” she looked at her watch and said “well, I am at 3hrs and 40 minutes right now”. Knowing, the women started about 10 minutes behind me, that only gives me 10 minutes to finish the last mile. Considering I was averaging roughly 15 minutes per mile I needed to kick it in gear. There was going to be nothing left in the tank at the finish line. If I was going to miss the mark by 1 or 2 minutes, I was going to collapse at the finish line. I put my head down and called on all the motivation I been given during the past 3 months. All the stories, the heart attack jokes, Marty wishing he had more hair, my honored teammates who had battled cancer. My mind was racing, I pulled from everywhere, but then I came out from under the bridge and headed up the hill to the final turn. This is where my daughter Chelsea was waiting for me, she had her “GO BRUCE” T-shirt on and she was pumping her fists in the air. She had waited almost 4 hours to run the chute to the finish line with me and she pulled me across in 3:59:47- GOAL ACCOPLISHED! The kiss from Caraline at the finish line was pretty nice too!
I finished 538th out of 593 in male overall, and 67 of 72 in my age group.
Some words to think about: “IF WHAT YOU DID YESTERDAY SEEMS BIG, YOU HAVEN’T DONE ANYTHING TODAY” I’m thinking…………. Half- Ironman in May of 2008- I’ll be in touch………………………….
SOMA Quarter Ironman- Race Weekend
The weekend started Saturday with a quick warm up swim in Tempe Town Lake. This is where it is all going to happen tomorrow morning at 6:30AM sharp. My honored teammate Mike Carbajal and I did an out and back warm up of about 800 yards just trying to ease our nerves and get a little more comfortable with the lake. Then a Team in Training pre-event Pasta Party and it’s off to bed for a good nights sleep. Yeah right! Someone must have forgot to tell the Soma organizers that the night before our event was the ASU Home Coming and that the entire town of Tempe would be rock’n all night. I finally dosed off around midnight and at 3:00am I was awaken by a thundering pounding on the hotel room door, so I jumped out of bed and stormed over to see who it was, saying to myself “who the F@%* is that, don’t they know I have to get up in 1 hour?” So, I peered though the peep hole and saw 3 very large, drunk, ASU meatheads, and decided that it was time to go back to bed.
Caraline walked me over the course at 5:15AM and I entered the 70 degree water at 6:15 to get ready for the gun to sound. BANG! 300 of us are off and I let’em have, it’s like a boxing match with your eyes closed, your trying to swim but, BOOM another shot to the face, POW another kick to the chest, and now the panic starts to set in. So, I pulled up and did a little breaststroke. I’m going to let these Amazon swimmers go ahead, and I’ll have some smooth water. Nope- here comes the next wave of 300 simmers and the are gonna run me over. So after about 200 yards of doing battle and trying to get into a rhythm, I put my head down and started swinging, I mean swimming. I finished the swim in 28:41, that’s 1:19 ahead of schedule.
I came out of the water and headed for the transition area, I was ready to bike. I ripped my wetsuit off and started to get my gear on. I had a little trouble with my socks, but got through T1 in 4:03.
I mounted my bike and headed out on the course. This course has several hills and U-turns, which made for a tough ride. I would power up a hill at 6 miles an hour, make the U-turn and OH YEAH hit the downhill reaching speeds over 30 miles an hour, only to have to slam on the brakes and make a sharp turn to back up another hill. There was no real areas where I was able to enjoy the coasting rewards of a good downhill. After passing several people with flat tires and other mechanical problems (including my own teammates) I thanked God that I had not any problems. I completed the 29.2 mile bike course in 1:51:18, which was 8:42 ahead of schedule, and I now have almost a 10 minute head start on my goal of finishing under 4 hours.
I hit the transition area (T2) and slammer jammer baby, 1:46 and I’m gone, off for the 6.5 mile run.
The Run, It’s just over a 10K, 6.5 miles, no big deal, one trip around the lake with a short out and back on the north side. I had set a goal of 1:30:00 and I was going to only walk 1 minute per mile. My mind was focused and my legs were moving, the first 3 miles went really well, But then the mind games started, and this is were I started to fade. My feet were numb, sweat was dripping into my eyes, and I started complaining to myself and the runners around me. The short out and back on the north side, turned out to be ¾ of a mile out and ¾ back, and I was not happy. During the out and back I would run and then walk, and there was a young girl (race #1300) who would pass me and then I would pass her. We did this several times until one time she ran up next to me as I was walking and said “I think I’ll run next to you, beings we seem to be going the same pace” And I said great and started to run next to her. Together we set little goals, let’s run all the way to the next aid station, let’s run over the bridge. Then as we rolled into the final mile I said to her “I really want to beat the 4 hour mark” she looked at her watch and said “well, I am at 3hrs and 40 minutes right now”. Knowing, the women started about 10 minutes behind me, that only gives me 10 minutes to finish the last mile. Considering I was averaging roughly 15 minutes per mile I needed to kick it in gear. There was going to be nothing left in the tank at the finish line. If I was going to miss the mark by 1 or 2 minutes, I was going to collapse at the finish line. I put my head down and called on all the motivation I been given during the past 3 months. All the stories, the heart attack jokes, Marty wishing he had more hair, my honored teammates who had battled cancer. My mind was racing, I pulled from everywhere, but then I came out from under the bridge and headed up the hill to the final turn. This is where my daughter Chelsea was waiting for me, she had her “GO BRUCE” T-shirt on and she was pumping her fists in the air. She had waited almost 4 hours to run the chute to the finish line with me and she pulled me across in 3:59:47- GOAL ACCOPLISHED! The kiss from Caraline at the finish line was pretty nice too!
I finished 538th out of 593 in male overall, and 67 of 72 in my age group.
Monday, September 24, 2007
JONES requires medical attention
I thought that title would get your attention and before I get into the details let me say THERE ARE ONLY 33 DAYS UNTIL THE SOMA TRIATHLON……………
Training is been very difficult with my busy schedule. I apologize for not posting more often Everyday life just keeps getting in the way. Boy…….am I whining or what? With 33 days left, my training needs to kick into high gear and the Timex triathlon I completed last weekend was just what I needed. The Timex Triathlon was a sprint (750m swim, 14 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run) triathlon that 12 members from the Team in Training and I completed as a warm up to the big event. I finished in 1:52:24 and I did not melt down during the lake swim.
It started out with the open water lake swim, there were approx. 300 swimmers all starting at the same time. It was like street brawl in the dark, I took a kick to the face, but I threw a few kicks of my own and battled around the course in 20 minutes. I came out of the water feeling pretty good and when I arrived at my transition station I noticed my foot was all bloody. I grabbed my towel and wiped the blood from my foot (this caused me to lose some valuable time in transition) to find a huge slice in my heel. There was no time to fret about it, I had to get moving. I slipped on my gear and headed out for a 14 mile bike ride. I had the brilliant idea that 2 red bulls would give me wings and that I would fly around the course. This sorta backfired and all that happened was I was very thirsty for the rest of the day (note to self-no red bull). I wrapped up the bike loop in 45 minutes and transitioned to the run. I ripped off my bike gear and slipped my running shoes on, bloody sock and all, my adrenaline was pumping and I didn’t really feel the gash in my heel. I bolted from the transition area like a gazelle being chased by a cheetah. Maybe not exactly like that, but I felt like I was moving. The remainder of the day was pure hell, for the first time in a triathlon I had to run up a hill. OH MY GOD, that sucks!! Whatever energy you left in the tank, a big hill will suck it out of you. I did manage to post my best run time and for the first time I finished the race smiling. As for the medical attention……….After the race I visited the medical tent to have them clean my cut, which turned out to be only ½” long.
You all have been so supportive though this adventure and with only a month to go; I want to do my best for everyone. Please continue to send all your love and motivational speeches, the SOMA triathlon is double all the distances and I am going to need the support if I am going to finish in less than 3:45:00.
Training is been very difficult with my busy schedule. I apologize for not posting more often Everyday life just keeps getting in the way. Boy…….am I whining or what? With 33 days left, my training needs to kick into high gear and the Timex triathlon I completed last weekend was just what I needed. The Timex Triathlon was a sprint (750m swim, 14 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run) triathlon that 12 members from the Team in Training and I completed as a warm up to the big event. I finished in 1:52:24 and I did not melt down during the lake swim.
It started out with the open water lake swim, there were approx. 300 swimmers all starting at the same time. It was like street brawl in the dark, I took a kick to the face, but I threw a few kicks of my own and battled around the course in 20 minutes. I came out of the water feeling pretty good and when I arrived at my transition station I noticed my foot was all bloody. I grabbed my towel and wiped the blood from my foot (this caused me to lose some valuable time in transition) to find a huge slice in my heel. There was no time to fret about it, I had to get moving. I slipped on my gear and headed out for a 14 mile bike ride. I had the brilliant idea that 2 red bulls would give me wings and that I would fly around the course. This sorta backfired and all that happened was I was very thirsty for the rest of the day (note to self-no red bull). I wrapped up the bike loop in 45 minutes and transitioned to the run. I ripped off my bike gear and slipped my running shoes on, bloody sock and all, my adrenaline was pumping and I didn’t really feel the gash in my heel. I bolted from the transition area like a gazelle being chased by a cheetah. Maybe not exactly like that, but I felt like I was moving. The remainder of the day was pure hell, for the first time in a triathlon I had to run up a hill. OH MY GOD, that sucks!! Whatever energy you left in the tank, a big hill will suck it out of you. I did manage to post my best run time and for the first time I finished the race smiling. As for the medical attention……….After the race I visited the medical tent to have them clean my cut, which turned out to be only ½” long.
You all have been so supportive though this adventure and with only a month to go; I want to do my best for everyone. Please continue to send all your love and motivational speeches, the SOMA triathlon is double all the distances and I am going to need the support if I am going to finish in less than 3:45:00.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Keep up the FIGHT!!!
How’s It? This is the Hawaiian slang for What’s Up? I hope all is going well with all of you. With only 93 days until SOMA, I have been pushing up the training total, last week was huge- totals for the week were: Swim 4800 yards, Bike 83.5 miles, and Running 5.5 miles. I know I need to get in more running, but I have discovered that running is no fun. I met with a nutritionist last week and we are working up a food program for my training. It is actually hard to eat enough and at the right times to meet my nutrition needs. I had a 46 mile bike ride on Sunday that I burned 2700 calories.
I’m sorry I don’t have any new photos this week, but I promise I will update with some new pictures next week. I did however manage to crash my bike twice last week, both were small but I have several new battle scars to show for it. I just can’t unclip from the pedals in an emergency. I have no problem when I can foresee the stop, but man if I have to unclip in a hurry……..Forget it- I’m going down.
I had the opportunity to watch the 2006 Hawaii Ironman last Sunday on ABC. It is amazing how people find their way into Triathlon and the reasons they do it. As you know, I have been fortunate enough to hook up with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training and to have surrounded myself with wonderful people who are full of support. The reason I mention this, is there was a very moving story about a guy named John Blaze who was the 1st person to ever complete the Hawaii Ironman with ALS- Lou Gehrig’s disease. He completed the 2005 Hawaii Ironman and when the network interviewed him prior to the race he said “They will have to carry me off this course, I’m going to finish even if I roll across the finish line” and when he finished he dropped down and rolled over the finish line. Shortly after the race he lost the use of his legs and was confined to a wheel chair. So knowing his death was coming and wanting to create awareness about ALS he recruited a team of several people, who competed in the 2006 Hawaii Ironman in his honor. They all rolled over the finish line. In May of this year John died. I know my little blog doesn’t really do his story justice but I guess the more I get into this training and education about the diseases such as Leukemia, and Diabetes, and ALS, the more I am motivated to take up this fight. Thank all of you for helping me.
ALOHA,
Bruce
I’m sorry I don’t have any new photos this week, but I promise I will update with some new pictures next week. I did however manage to crash my bike twice last week, both were small but I have several new battle scars to show for it. I just can’t unclip from the pedals in an emergency. I have no problem when I can foresee the stop, but man if I have to unclip in a hurry……..Forget it- I’m going down.
I had the opportunity to watch the 2006 Hawaii Ironman last Sunday on ABC. It is amazing how people find their way into Triathlon and the reasons they do it. As you know, I have been fortunate enough to hook up with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training and to have surrounded myself with wonderful people who are full of support. The reason I mention this, is there was a very moving story about a guy named John Blaze who was the 1st person to ever complete the Hawaii Ironman with ALS- Lou Gehrig’s disease. He completed the 2005 Hawaii Ironman and when the network interviewed him prior to the race he said “They will have to carry me off this course, I’m going to finish even if I roll across the finish line” and when he finished he dropped down and rolled over the finish line. Shortly after the race he lost the use of his legs and was confined to a wheel chair. So knowing his death was coming and wanting to create awareness about ALS he recruited a team of several people, who competed in the 2006 Hawaii Ironman in his honor. They all rolled over the finish line. In May of this year John died. I know my little blog doesn’t really do his story justice but I guess the more I get into this training and education about the diseases such as Leukemia, and Diabetes, and ALS, the more I am motivated to take up this fight. Thank all of you for helping me.
ALOHA,
Bruce
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Mountain Man Triathlon
Well, I guess the best thing about this Triathlon is that I did not drown. This was my 2nd triathlon and my 1st OPEN WATER swim. The day started out good, I felt good, I was loose and ready to go. We lined up on the boat ramp to start the swim and I was ready to go. The gun sounded and we were off. For the 1st 75 yards I was rolling, then all of a sudden I lost it, I could not get a breath, and I was drinking water. I rolled over to my back and tried to get some air. I rolled over again and began to do breaststroke, nothing was working. Now I was really starting to PANIC. I continued for another minute or so doing breaststroke and I wasn't coming around. It was at this moment that I called for the canoe. The canoes are guys who follow the swimmers incase there is a problem. Well I had a big problem, something I had never experienced before, I could not swim. I grabbed onto the canoe and hung on trying to catch my breath. As I was hanging on I began to contemplate quiting. With about 600 meters still to swim, I didn't know if I could do it. Finally after hanging on the canoe for about 2 minutes, I decided there was no way I was going to quit. So I let go and continued to breaststroke. At about 100meters to go I tried to swim it in. I gave it about 6 strokes and went right back to breaststroke. I finished the swim and headed for the bike (see photo). I was totally wrecked. I could not believe what had just happened and it took about 6 miles on the bike before I got my head back. I finshed the 12 mile bike and then the 3.1 mile run. This was much more difficult than the previous Triathlon. Although this event took place at 6000 ft elevation and feels like a complete disaster and I missed my goal of finishing under 2 hours (2:01:31). I have to remind myself that I did not need the ambulance, I smiled at the finishline and "I FINISHED"; and at this time, that is the true goal. Thank you Caraline, Chelsea, and Mom for cheering me through the toughest atheletic event of my life, so far!
PS-Never stay at the Quality Inn in Flagstaff, AZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PS-Never stay at the Quality Inn in Flagstaff, AZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, July 9, 2007
Just a quick note; Today begins the 16 week training program for the SOMA Olympic Distance Triathlon. The SOMA Triathlon is the one I signed up to do with The Leukemia, Lymphoma Society- Team in Training and the one you all donated too. It is going to be an awesome experience and I'm very excited to share it with all of you. Thanks to all of you I have reached my fundraising goal and can now focus on the training. If anyone is interested in donating some additional funds to this cause, please take a minute to check out my wife, Caraline's page: http://www.active.com/donate/tntdms/tntdmsCJones
She is training for a Century Ride in Honolulu, Hawaii with TNT.
Right now, I am really struggling with the running portion, I just can't seem to get any distance before I have to stop and walk. I will be putting some extra miles on my running shoes this month.
I want you all to know how much your emails and comments on this page mean to me. I love them all, even the betting on the heart attack, so please keep them coming.
Aloha,
Bruce
She is training for a Century Ride in Honolulu, Hawaii with TNT.
Right now, I am really struggling with the running portion, I just can't seem to get any distance before I have to stop and walk. I will be putting some extra miles on my running shoes this month.
I want you all to know how much your emails and comments on this page mean to me. I love them all, even the betting on the heart attack, so please keep them coming.
Aloha,
Bruce
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