Balance - Jeannie Samson's Triathlon Blog
Generous friends and a tough decision... Several months ago I was surprised by a wonderful gift from friends I met at my children's school, Kathy Caraway Elementary. They surprised me with a sponsorship gift of the entry fee into the 2008 Age Group World Championship Triathlon in Vancouver, Canada as a way of supporting me in my dream of being the best I can be. I was so grateful and shocked that they did this - what an amazing group of people that did such a generous thing for little ole' me!! In my previous blog I mentioned that it's been a challenging few months and I have not been able to train much. It's because of this that I decided to request a refund and withdraw from the race. I don't feel I would be able to give my best to represent the USA, and my family needs me to be here now. I am very sad, but touched nonetheless by the generosity of my friends at the school. I am also so thrilled that I took a chance and went for it all in the last few years of triathlon racing!! My hard work produced amazing results, and I will always have that. I have decided to give the money to several organizations that need it. A few are: a group on a large bike ride to honor fallen EMS workers, the RED CROSS fund to help the massive relief effort in China, a friend doing a triathlon to raise money for her school's library, and the American Cancer Society's "Walk for Life." THANK YOU to my friends - just know the baton has been passed the full amount and more of your much appreciated gifts! |