Ducati Monster Forum

My original intent was to share in my over-wordy, goofy way why "this marshmellow" is doing a triathlon – eventually getting to the request for a donation.

I decided, just hours ago, that the words I had drafted could not articulate nearly as poignantly as my friend who sat on an airplane five years ago writing a letter to his now, 7-1/2 year old daughter. Today, my friend (the author's wife) celebrates five years of being cancer-free. Pretty damn cool.

Because of people like Leanne and her husband Daniel (the author, who should be sponsored by Kleenex), because of a DMF member and his wife, because of your co-worker, nephew, neighbor, neighbor's uncle's wife's 2nd cousin twice removed – this is why I "suffer" through swimming, running and cycling (seriously, have a tissue nearby unless you're a nail eater):

http://luchalee.wordpress.com/letter-to-lydia/ (http://luchalee.wordpress.com/letter-to-lydia/)

Here is my link to my own story and donation site if you are so inclined to help end blood cancers.  

http://pages.teamintraining.org/rm/lavatri12/pollyp (http://pages.teamintraining.org/rm/lavatri12/pollyp)

Just the fact that you have read this far is generous, truly.  

Thank you DMF friend.      ;D

Faces to go with a story:

My friends: Leanne, Daniel and their then, 2-1/2 year old Lydia:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7162/6677031567_26656fe3ec_o.png)

Love his hat:
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6677031803_2b5ddf1bee_o.png)

Hair that's been growing for five years, gets cut and donated tomorrow (party afterwards).   [thumbsup]
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7023/6677031727_1723dd7948_o.png)

 ;).....just picture a table of nacho's and molten cheese waiting for you at the finish line(s)

...and 85 kegs of beer.  Seriously.  That's how many they have at this event.


I can suffer me some swimming.   In nachos and beer.    ;)

Doneded.

Nope.

Not reading.

Don't want to, as you ladies would call it, "cry."

Just blindly clicking the "donate" link, typing numbers, and pressing enter. I'll see what kind of damage I've done when I get my bank statement.












Also, did you say "85 kegs?"   :o  :o :o

Better a Marshmellow swimming than a Polly Waffle....

(http://www.bsnhhh.com/galleryindex/var/albums/Polywaffles/pollywaffle.jpg?m=1314695202)






... Unwrap it, chuck it in the pool..... sit back and watch the evacuation unfold [laugh]....

CaddyShack BabyRuth scene anyone?

in all seriousness for a moment though...TNT is a great org and I wish you massive amounts of luck in this endeavour....it takes alot to push through a program like theirs or any of them really when you have not any of the skills or backround to do it beforehand....but nowhere near as much as what it takes to push through a fight against ANY and ALL forms of cancer...and that goes for all sufferers of the various forms of this disease, in both direct and collateral affect...

good luck and in the end, 1 cancer cure will lead to a cure for all cancers through re-engineering IMHO...and the pic of the hat reminds me of one of the guys whom I support crew many breast cancer events with who has "CUCK FANCER" painted in very obviously pink on the back of the topbox on his Harley

 [laugh]   [clap]

The name is still, oh so appropriate for this one.   Love it.   [laugh] [laugh]



Thank you all for the support of donations and words of encouragement... I/we have it easy in comparison to the people we're trying to help.  But the goal is not to ever have to do this again because cures for cancers have been found.  Until then.... we do what we can, right?!

 [thumbsup]

Good job.

Great...another "Randy and Polly" sob story to sucker me into a donation!  [cheeky]

But seriously, I love you guys and the amount of motivation and energy you guys put into your endeavors on behalf of TNT and LLS.
Always glad to throw some green in for a good cause.

it's the right kind of thing to be suckered into. 

Absolutely

Go Team Staypuft!!!



(http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee91/visigoth9/images-7.jpg)

I could throw up a thread (literally and figuratively) on puppy and general animal welfare causes too.  Want me to do that?  Huh, Huh?  

 ;)

Seriously, thank you again everyone for the $$ and the words!     [thumbsup]   [bow_down]

Ha!  Love it!   

And that's about how I run....lumbering...waffling...side to side.  This bod is NOT built for speed, that's for sure! 

 ;D

some of my best run times were truly inspired...

usually by enraged people

in numbers greater than I cared to deal with

You get double the amount cuz you're prettier than Randy :-)

only if you want me to be homeless because i gave all my money away... animal stuff ALWAYS gets me..

Unless you're a care bear.  Care bear really likes Randimus.    ;)


Why do I believe this....    [laugh]


We'll be in good company then.   [thumbsup]

FYI:  Some companies provide matching contributions to your donations.  If you want to check to see if yours does, you can go here.

Let me know if they do.  I can get you a form to submit to your HR dept (or whatever dept. handles that).  Thnx again all!

http://www.matchinggifts.com/lls/ (http://www.matchinggifts.com/lls/)

 :'(

Where's that hurt feelings report?   [laugh]

And thank you for your donations to both of our events.  [thumbsup]

you have an event? ;D

Yes.

Mine does not require swimming or running.

Just a pleasant bike ride around a pretty lake.

Boo to my company.....suggestion box here I come.

A bump for Bicks.

 ;D

Thanks.  Makes sense now.

"The marshmallow" is going to swim in this:

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7161/6712509365_7db0019160.jpg)

Yup.  A couple of us soft, older, beginner swim types thought it would be funny.  
Then the fast, sleek, 20'something girls copied us and ordered them too.

I'm going to find gold cuffs, a truth rope and a cape.    ;D

Nice!  [thumbsup]

Late getting to this thread with everything going on over here.

Good on ya P.

You too r.

you also need to put on some Zenza compression calf socks to emulate the boots whilst you are at it...

I can't wait to see pic(s) of this ensemble in action!!!...

 [laugh]

Linda Carter I am not!   Like the compression sock idea.   [thumbsup]
The picture idea - not so much.   [laugh]

oh...I mispelled the compression calf tubes/socks company...they are Zensah's...I like em alot and use them most of the time when running.

Asking for moolah and no scandalous photos?


Totally against internet etiquette.

I fully expect links to youtube footage of the homestretch stagger.....

the glaze-eyed lurching and lumbering toward the kegs and nacho's

nothing's free in life, even charitable donations  [laugh] [laugh]

You sir, will be begging me to remove photos.  You would design and build a satillite to purposely crash into the DMF site just to get rid of the images.  Trust me. 



But then again, I might consider posting the event photographer's obligatory image of me crawling across the finish line only for the sake of a good laugh for everyone.  Because I'm a sport like that.

 ;D

you are going to rock that swimsuit  [thumbsup]

I'll be handling the photog duties at this event.

We've got a pretty good camera that even IZ could take good pictures with (well, that may be a stretch).

But how to determine who gets to see them...

raises hand...

Put 'em on Facebook...  [evil]


 ;D







 [bacon]

Yes.


No.

I only said that for AJ's benefit....  ;D




 [bacon]

BTW, where has she been lately?

And I'll only post the really good ones on FB.  ;)

You're evil...  [evil]

I like the way you think....   ;)


Last I heard, AJ was working her buns off at her job...

Maybe I'll give her a shout...



 [bacon]

Oh?


How do you know I didn't already assign my camera and photog duties to the accompanying bestie?
Hmmmmm?    I'll make sure she shares it with you. 

 ;)




 [laugh]

 >:(

Noooooooooooo!


As for my whereabouts...my nose has been firmly pressed to the grindstone  :(

Don't you jump on the DebilBook bandwagon too  :P

Honey, we're all on the DebilBook and Debil Juice

'cept you and DP and Bicks.  At least you're in good company.   ;)


You've been missed.  Betting that grindstone needs some cleaning. As does your nose.    ;D

They're not the only ones. Don't forget the one who gave debilbook its true name...

What are you talking about?!  YOU have an account!  WE are friends!


mmmhhhhmmm. Proof mister.  And look at the lower right image:  It's Randimus!

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6729093453_460137e54e.jpg)

 [laugh]

Back to thread topic:

I swam swimmingly yesterday during a pass/fail assessment.

Actually it was pretty sloppy from the 500 meter point to 1,000 meters but hey, I passed.

Fail:  good chance of not participating (coaches give more intense training schedules and a second assessment). 

Only one guy failed two years ago.  He's a coach now.  He said the humiliation and flat out failure pushed him to the coaching point. 

 [thumbsup]

What's that freaky ghost like image on the bike?


And I've heard you were a good swimmer.  Now there is proof!

 [thumbsup]

For perspective, I also own a total gym. Guess how long its been since its seen daylight...

ML! You *have* gone to the dark side!   :o


Mmmm hmmmm, you miss taunting me with your DebilBook shenanigans [cheeky]


Anyhoo, good job on the swimming test!!
I'd be the one failing...while flailing...and asking for six sets of floaties

Go StayPuft go! Show us what you know!

Stella/Randy

I'll be out there doing Lavaman too.  This event is a little different than Moab, but is gonna be just as good!  We should meet up out there during the weekend.  Keep up the good work

Bryant

Wonderful!!!!!   Will look forward to seeing a do-gooder DMF/TNT'er on the beach! 

 [thumbsup]

Awesome!

See you there.

Stella and I will be reversing roles from Moab.  Unfortunately, B-Dawg can't make the trip.  ;)

Years ago.  I quickly realized it was the debil.  ;D

BTW, do marshmellow's float when frozen?

 [laugh]

Stella, I'll look for a Wonder Woman wetsuit for you...don't want you to turn into a StayPuft popsicle!

What paper are you with?  ;)

It's the Denver Post and Run, isn't it?

here's a good looking training suit!!


http://www.fantasytoyland.com/adult-inflatable-stay-puft-marshmallow-man.html?gclid=CKqB1PaG4a0CFUPd4AodfRdYlw (http://www.fantasytoyland.com/adult-inflatable-stay-puft-marshmallow-man.html?gclid=CKqB1PaG4a0CFUPd4AodfRdYlw)

AND its inflatable so she'll be safe from drowning!!! :)

 [laugh]


"LIKE!!"   



On a related note:  My Wonder Woman swim suit arrived. 

I need a spray tan.
Or everyone has to promise not to look at me when I have it on.

 :P

All in good fun, wonder fun.   ;)

AWESOME!!!   [thumbsup]


Stella, we all know how healthy you are, and how UNhealthy that spray tanning shit is.  Therefore, you clearly have to hop on the next flight to Hawaii.  You can get that tan naturally, swim in warm water - thus avoiding popsicle status, and train for running & biking on the same roads used by the Ironman! 

You too Randimus, you could use a tan ;D

what aj said, except take me with you...i can hold the stopwatch ;)

I'll close my eyes...

promise.

Why all the hate in this thread about me.  :'(

I love you man...

Is that you, or the "water" talking?

 :-*

They tease you because they like you.   Well, in DP's case, he clearly loves you.     :o

 ;)



AJ, Elyse, pack your bags.  Will pick you up on the way to the islands.  We can hang 30.

 [thumbsup]

What about me?

I can carry all your stuff.

;D

</ml needs nice weather badly these days>

You should bring Brian along and hang 53.

dood...

we speak the same language. ;D

I'm kinda hurt...

like Randy

What are you guys talking about?  Is this some sort of debilbook code?!?

j/k

Everyone knows dp functions on vodka and desmoquattro rocker arms ;D

were you there when Randimus spoke in tongues?

[laugh]

Cindy and I showed up just as this was in progress. 

He was all sheets to the wind, not just three of them [laugh]

Stella makes our introductions-

Polly: "This is Randy and I'm Polly, his handler."

He said something but I couldn't understand.

It was a lot like:

Crazy Cat Lady being crazy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5UtYIVl1dw&feature=related#)

Strikingly similar, actually.

Not sure if he was throwing cats.  You had a bunch there, so I suppose that's possible

;D

a bunch of...

drunks? [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

It was fun...eh?

[thumbsup]

Elton John - Can you feel the love tonight Live (Rare Video) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFYBLwb3I84#)

You had a great time...

even if you don't remember. ;D

And then that Care Bear caught your eye

Lotta magical things going on that evening

 [thumbsup]

8 out of 10 Care Bears and Rocking Horses agree.

[laugh]

Truth. We like Randimus.
and it's so easy to tease him <grin>

My bag is packed, I'm wearing a cheesy aloha shirt & flip flops...I'm ready to roll!

[laugh] and he'll probably be a better surfer than me





p.s. let's leave the care bear, coy rocking horse, cat throwing, and speaking in tongues on the mainland, shall we?
;D

How are you gonna have any fun?

...and where are you ditching Randy?

I think that night was the best sparkler dance number I have ever seen.

 [laugh]

I'm usually no one's handler but my own -
which is a significant challenge in itself.

But on that particular night,
at that particular Rosetta Stone moment....

there was a need to put the handler hat on.   [laugh] 
 
Yup, still an EPIC weekend to look back on.   [thumbsup]  [beer]

And.....

back on topic:

I swam yesterday (w/a few stops) the farthest yet.  1,300 meters.    Yay me, right?

Yeah, I felt really good about that until my friend, who is part gazelle, part fish, part athletic freak w/o having to do anything
shared this morning that she swam 3,000 meters.  Before 7am (and she has 3 kids under 8 years old).   Love/hate her.

 [roll]    ;)

Hey don't compare your progress to the others on the team. It's great you did your best distance yesterday. You're kicking ass IMO!

68 days till Lavaman!

We all know you've got what it takes.  [clap]

While I know I will NEVER be like that creature, it's hard not to compare sometimes.  

And thanks for the 68 day reminder.
AAAaaarrrggghhh!!!!!!!    

  :P      [laugh]


Yeah:  Obstinance.      [thumbsup]    


And maybe a Stay Puft suit soon (found them online)...     ;D

 [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

#1 - nothing wrong with being pasty. revel in the fact that you not only reflect sunlight, you intensify it.  [thumbsup]

also, buy some good sunblock (i use neutrogena spf70)


never underestimate the power that being stubborn has on your endurance levels.   :)

No update?

Hmmm....update.  Yes, well this is the latest (just as much for you as everyone else since we don't see each other very often and phone conversations are about the dog and cat and snow):     ;)

The the last 4 days in vegas have caused a backslide that I hope to bounce back from quickly.
The last month of no running, walking, cycling per doc's orders are making me anxious.

Swimming:  Not graceful nor fast but I know I'll make the mile.
Not a pessimist.  Just a realistic view on a Tuesday morning.

Doc. appointment late next week.  Can hopefully bump up training again.

Fund raising:  half way there!
Starting a letter writing campaign this week to people I've done business with (doc, car dealer, vet, hair cutter lady...)

 [thumbsup]

has it been 4 days of Puffy the Buffet Slayer?

Scourge of the laden chafing dish?

Bane of the Open Bar?

 [clap]   [laugh] 

Not enough solids, too many liquids.   ;)   [thumbsdown]

liquid is good...

To a point.

If you're a fish.
Or a boat.
Or a 400 y/o artiste'


 ;D

yep... vegas will do that to ya...

you'll get back on track quickly i'm sure  [thumbsup]
oh, and good luck with your doc

Recovering from Vegas and the return to animal pukes.

Swam 6,300 feet yesterday and 6,889 feet 9-11⁄64 inches today. 

Not pretty, smooth or technical.  (Think Seinfeld's Elaine Benes' dance moves.)

But I did "get 'er done".     ;D

Git R Done

 ;D


Over a mile swimming is great congrats. [thumbsup]

Better be careful, you'll be an ironwoman before you know it.  [thumbsup]

Ha funny one.  You hush.

I miss my mountain bike.  That I love.   Tri's, not so much love.

 ;)

Which is why you've signed up for 4 of them in the last 12 months?

And you can shut your whore mouth mister.




 :-*

(http://prezwho.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/LOLCAT.jpg)

DAMN YOU, KEVIN.

I just shot good beer out my nose.

Dick.

Don't be wastin' any beer on my thread!

That's exactly where I got that from.  How long ago did you (or whoever) post that? 
I remember crying I was laughing so hard...

Possibly the early days of the I can has cheezeburger thread?

Its a classic.

[laugh]

(http://files.sharenator.com/oh_snap_Sex_with_my_teacher-s387x292-80311-580.gif)

your link is dead

funny. it loads for me... ???


either way....

OHH SNAP!

me too. . .

does for me now too.

 ???

maybe the link is a cleverly disguised dmf clock? it only works sometimes in certain situations... ;D

maybe.. [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

but only on the second Tuesday of each week....LOL

I am open to constructive criticism. 

Thank you to the person who corrected my "mallow/mellow" mistake. 

And if I ever see anyone use the werd "peaked" as in "peaked my curiosity" - you will here from me (since that's one of my pet peeve werds).

Ok, back to swimming and tri topic things.

Off to the jim I go to swet a litle.

 ;D

Your so funny                    ;D

she's on a role  ;D

there, their, they're  dear Puftster

don't be piqued


I preferred mellow

step on the breaks stella. no need to get all in a kerfluffle. alot of people have trouble with there wording.



 ;D

i might punch myself for this post

"kerfluffle"

 [laugh]

One of the best parts of British TV is their vernacular.  [thumbsup]

My daughter set her GPS to the female British Accent voice.

She said she finds it less offensive

and she feels she has greater offensive impact

when she hurls profanities at it

I think Stella and I might be able to get a little cycle training in this weekend.  [thumbsup]

If any of you all can pitch in a few bucks, I know it would mean the world to her:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/rm/lavatri12/pollyp (http://pages.teamintraining.org/rm/lavatri12/pollyp)

This is a cause that is pretty close to both of us.

Cancer Sucks.

Thanks.

Just now seeing your post Randimus, thanks!


And a huge thanks to those of you who have donated! 
Had a few more today from our Duc family.   [thumbsup]   [bow_down]

Taking a moment to get all sappy:  Not only are we blessed to have you
as friends but so are the people who are affected by stupid cancers. 

Thank you again! <happy sniff>


 [clap]

At the risk of playing Captain Obvious, you seem to be kicking Randy's ass pretty handily on the fund raising front.  [popcorn]

It does appear that way, however, my team actually started training and fund raising in October for our April 1st event.

He just started his training & fund raising last month for their June event.

 [beer]

She's prettier.

Well y'know, Randy, if you'd buy a swimsuit that showed some skin...  ;)

Yup...

 :-X


Pass the Brain Bleach please...  :P


;)





[bacon]

Ask and ye shall receive.

(http://www.seriouseats.com/images/20090722-tequila.jpg)

Oooh!!!

I LOOOVES me some good tequila!  :D

No need for the limes, though...  ;)

Brain Bleach indeed!   ;D



[bacon]

Are you part of the Captain Obvious tag-team   ;D

hmmm.... do I take these as compliments knowing we have only ever interacted with heavy amounts of alcohol?

 ;)

Sober third party says:

He's right.

Yes...

yes he is.

Wanna join?  [evil]

I'm so white after a dreadfully snow-free winter up here, I'm almost transparent.

Charter Member   ;D

I know where to go if I ever need an ego boost!   My very own Staypuft fan club.

 [laugh] 

Thanks guys!    [beer]

I had my second bike ride and run ("brick" training) of the year yesterday.  Hip issue on the mend.

We actually had a triple brick in the mountains:  Cycle 7 miles /run 20 minutes x3.    [puke]

Against better judgement, I lost my patience and went for it against doc's re-entry into training program.  Felt great during and after although I don't have the endurance that I should had I been able to train like everyone else.  Very happy though with what I was able to do.

Bike gets shipped tomorrow, I miss all of this week's trainings due to work stuff but will have next Saturday and Sunday.

2500 pokey and less than graceful meters in the pool this afternoon with a Styx song stuck in my head and going through the list of all the cheerleaders, donors and survivors to help me through.

 [thumbsup]


Learned this past week that a Team In Training teammate's dad, who has lymphoma, just received a big check from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help cover his medical expenses that weren't covered by insurance.  (Amazingly and sadly, her mom passed away from lymphoma a year ago!)  Just one example of how your donations are distributed.

Another:   [thumbsup]

you're really awesome Polly :)

i couldn't agree more :)

Wifey and I were talking donations today...

Robin West says
So Polly has exceeded her fundraising goal and Randy is lagging behind. Deductive reasoning says people like giving money to Polly better than to Randy.

Ryan West says
Gee...ya think? It's mostly because Randy won't show any skin.

Why would I?  Apparently, I'm "a bit soft in the middle"  [roll]

The best of us are.  [beer]

Indeed!  [drink]  [beer]

i didn't say you weren't still sexy.

but if the tights were tight enough, no one would notice  ;)

areyou telling him to wear spanx?

[laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]
noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
...i just figured if stella was wonderwoman, he could be some other superhero...you know superhero tights like superman or batman or aquaman......or atom ant  [laugh]

Stella and I are headed to the islands today.  Thankfully, we have a direct flight to Honolulu from Denver, then a quick jump to Kona.

Stella's triathlon is on Sunday.  Although hampered by an injury, she's trained really hard for this event, and I'm certain she will rock it!

Thanks to everyone who pitched in money for her fundraising campaign.  You all rock!

Cancer Sucks.  We're doing what we can to help make it suck less.

And no, I will not be dressing up like a superhero this weekend, much to knight's dismay.  :P

Fine. If you aren't dressing up as Randy Man (the visuals are disturbing and intriguing all at the same time), you had at least bring me back some Kona coffee!

Done with that bastage triathlon.  Whew!


Thank you DMF family for your support and well wishes.  It meant a lot and helped me through it!  No salt on my margaritas for a while with all the salt water I ingested.   [thumbsup]

More later.  I'm drinking now.   [beer]

That's my girl... [bow_down] [bow_down]

Hopefully not the coffee you were planning on brining me back!  [drink]

 [thumbsup] [thumbsup]

 [thumbsup] [bow_down] great job polly! you are awesome  :)

congrats!

Congrats....lots of salt will make you all sweaty

Awesome job!  Lots of sweat will make you all salty.

 [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap]    [beer]

good job polly!

Done!

wish i could do more..