It's been forever since I've had a blog up and running, but thought it would be fun to give it a go again. No, I am not training for another Ironman, however, I am taking on a different kind of epic event this year!
Many of you may know I work at Brigham & Women's hospital as an exercise physiologist. We see lots of different kinds of patients, but I do spend a good part with those who have a rare disease called pulmonary hypertension. Last year we put together a team to do the first annual Boston O2 Breathe walk to raise money for PH. The turnout was awesome!! This year, I thought maybe I would step things up and join Team Phenomenal Hope, a charity team with people from around the world racing to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for this disease (currently, there is no cure, but just treatment to slow progression). The team is very inspirational and a few of them had done RAAM in the past and also a challenge series race. The challenge series races are a 200 or 400 mile race (400 qualifies you for RAAM) solo or with a team. There happens to be one in Ohio starting where I grew up! So in September, I will head to Ohio to take on 200 miles solo for the first time ever. My longest ride was back in 2012 during my ironman....112 miles.
So far, I've done a few long rides (a 90 and a 105) with a few more planned this weekend and next month. Along with these, of course, there's been the other bike races with Sunapee racing. Bike racing and endurance sports in general have given me so much over the years, so to give back and race for people who have trouble breathing seems like a no brainer.
On another note, 200 miles is a really long ways. Yikes.
So, follow along the craziness that is the jtrain and learn a thing or two about PH, maybe. If you want.
Here's a link to my fundraising page, check it out and any amount is greatly appreciated!
https://www.crowdrise.com/julie-tracy-for-ph
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