Q&A with Leigh

Leigh sporting her NFE tri-top.

Leigh is among our growing rank of triathletes. We asked her 10 questions about herself and her experience with the team.

10. When you were 5, what did you want to be when you grew up?

At five, I was very interested in the animal world. I liked butterflies and frogs and rolly pollies. Horses were my passion, but I never owned one. I was not aware of careers at 5 years old, but over the next few years, I learned about ‘animal doctors’ and for many years I thought about going to vet school. Although I did not be come a vet, I still love animals and am curious about how biological systems work.

9. What is your favorite quote?

This is a tough question! Most of the quotes I know and think about are from the Bible, but I also love English poetry from about 1600 to 1800. Something I say to encourage myself is “Trust in the Lord and do good.” This helps me gain perspective by focusing on the present and not to focus on worries or things out of my control.

8. What was your most embarrassing moment? (Or the most embarrassing moment you are willing to share.)

I don’t really have an answer about a “most” embarrassing moment. However, I am pretty clumsy, so I have lots of little embarrassing moments. Sometimes I run into things, fall up the stairs, or spill my coffee on something important.

7. How did you hear about NF Endurance?

I learned about NF Endurance through my sister Tracy Draper who joined the team in Florida for the Disney marathon events. She was a team member, then became a captain and now is an employee and participant in many events nationwide. Her enthusiasm for the work, the teams, the organization is just fantastic.

6. Could you tell us a little bit about your hero?

Joshua Velasquez is my hero. Joshua loves video games, soccer and the Man Versus Food TV show. He was diagnosed with NF at 10 months when café-au-lait spots appeared. He began some therapies right away and  has been monitored frequently every since. Currently, there is evidence of UBO’s (“unidentified bright objects”) on his brain and many café-au-lait spots on his body. Also, he has a plexiform neurofibroma on his chest. Joshua has annual exams to monitor his condition, but thankfully, his health is good and he is leading a typical teenager’s life!

5. Why did you choose the Iron Girl Triathlon in New York??

I decided to do this race because I had hurt my back muscles on a few occasions last winter. I decided, “Enough! I must get in shape again!” I had been a cross country runner in high school and enjoyed many different kinds of sports. My dental hygienist mentioned that she was entering the race. I checked it out and decided it was just the fitness goal that I needed. I started training in May with the race in early August.

Leigh posing with her medal.

4. How did the race go?

The race was tough! I did well for a short training season though. I finished 147 out of about 730 women. The swim was chaos, the bike was great, and the run was misery… I had a great time. It had been 28 years since I did a triathlon so I was happy with the result.

3. Any plans for your next race?

I might try the Iron Girl again or another local triathlon in summer 2011. The Iron Girl event was very well organized, and it was fantastic racing with all those women. The encouragement and team spirt was great — and still the competition was very strong. I hope that the next triathlon I try has no lake weeds to swim through!

2. What is your favorite brand of running shoe? Why?

I honestly do not have one. Twenty years ago I would have said Saucony because they had the coolest tread. Now, I am not familiar with the different brands or their relative strengths. What do you prefer? Any advice is welcome! (Share your favorite brand in the comments, and we’ll get your suggestions back to Leigh.)

1. What does being a part of this team mean to you?

For me, it means racing for a purpose larger than just self-improvement. I wanted my efforts to have larger benefits beyond my own physical fitness. As soon as I registered for the event, I contacted my sister who works for NF Endurance and asked how I could run to raise funds to fight NF. It was truly my pleasure to help by raising awareness among my colleagues about this cause and wearing the NF Endurance tri-top to spread the word among the other athletes.

Keep an eye on the NF Endurance events page for our growing list of official triathlon events. http://nfendurance.org/events

Weekend Pacesetter (July 23-25, 2010)

SAN FRAN
From the early morning smells of sourdough bread baking…to the sun setting over the bay, it’s no wonder why Tony Bennett sang that it’s easy to leave your heart in San Francisco. On Sunday NFE runners, led by co-captains Josh Thieriot and Cathie Leys, will put their hearts on the course for NF Heroes in the San Francisco Marathon. Steve Kendra will be staffing the event. The San Francisco Marathon is unique because it offers two half marathons, one marathon, a progressive marathon and a 5K. The NFE San Fran Team has raised more than $17,500. You can help them meet their goal by donating here. 

RESEARCH
Check out Dr. Kim Hunter-Schaedle’s thoughts on Avastin and Breast Cancer on the Foundation’s blog this week. In the news this week, a Food and Drug Administration advisory recommended that the drug Avastin (bevacizumab), the best selling product of Roche, have its 2008 approval for advanced breast cancer treatment revoked. (Read more).

BUTTAR BUDDIES
Tracy Draper has helped NFE partner with Buttar.com, a race organization for events such as triathlons. Tracy recently competed in the Moss Park Tri in Orlando, Fla., and placed fourth in her age group. She is pictured here with her daughter, Suzie.

Active Fundraising Page of the Week
Monica Hattoon-Green
Why we like it: Monica’s clean design allows the viewer to clearly get the message: little Maria,  a family friend, has NF and could really use a cure. She succinctly describes what NF is and what can happen when symptoms manifest. She also directs viewers to learn more about research advancements by using “Team Fundraising Dollars at Work.”

How to Pack for a Triathlon

By: Tracy Draper

Your first triathlon race is just 30 hours away.  You have trained well, but you can feel the nervousness beginning to creep up from your abdomen into your throat.  You can feel the pre-race jitters.  This is not the time to panic but to prepare.

Make a list of “must haves.” With three events to pack for, it is essential to write it down. I have heard of people forgetting their helmets, shoes, towel and even bike shorts!  With so much to prepare for, how can you make sure that you have everything that you really need?

Mentally picture yourself arriving to the venue. What will you be wearing?  You exit your car and head over to the packet pick up. You will need your ID and proof of USA Triathlon membership (either annual or you can buy a one day membership).  From there you will probably begin setting up your transition area.  What will be in your gear bag?  Picture every item that you need for your swim; now for your bike and finally for your run.  Each component has essentials that you are essential for competing.  These are the first things that you want to make sure you pack.  Now imagine that you have crossed the finish line, and you even won your age group!  You have to hang around for awards!  Will you want to freshen up some?  At the very least, pack a washcloth and deodorant.  Picture the things that would make you feel a bit better after a race. Be sure to put those in a separate bag that you can grab when you put your bike and other gear away before awards.

Tape a motivational note to the tube of your bike. I use a quote from the movie “Facing the Giants.” On a hot pink sticky note I write the words “do your very best” and tape it to the bike tube. The motivation helps a lot during training and on race day.

Write down every thing that you see in your mind. Feel free to use my “Tri List” that I keep to refer to before each race; try to stick to the essentials.

PRE-RACE
-       snacks such as bagel or energy gel (my favorite: raisins)
-       three water bottles – two with water, one with electrolytes (drink from one as you drive to the race, but be mindful because you don’t want to feel sloshy)
-       safety pins (in case there are none in your race packet)
-       small towel to set up in transition
-       race clothing – think: will you put on our NF singlet before you ride?  Do you have an NF tri top so that you don’t have to change clothes at all?

SWIM
-       goggles
-       swim cap (provided in your race packet)
-       hand towel (to wipe face and body if you wish prior to ride segment)

BIKE
-       helmet
-       cycling shoes (if you wear them)
-       sunglasses
Be sure any excessive weight is removed from your bike; one Bento box is sufficient for nutrition.

RUN
-       running shoes (socks optional; they are hard to put on wet, sandy feet)
-       sun visor or hat (optional)
-       racing belt (with your number already pre-attached)

POST RACE
-       the organizers usually have food, but if you like something special, pack it
-       deodorant, hair brush, change of clothes (optional)

Lay everything out on the floor or your bed prior to packing. Review the list.  Go through the race in your mind again, making sure that you have not left anything out.  Remember that there are essentials, and then there are extras. The extras often are what weigh us down and slow us down.  You don’t have to have socks; you do have to have shoes.  You must have your bike, but  you don’t have to have three extra pony tail holders. You do need to think about your weakest event and dress for it.  Can you bike without padded pants? Probably.  Is your swim the best segment? Then wear a swimsuit and throw a pair of shorts over it for the rest.  Is running your least secure event?  Then be sure to dress to run out of the water.  Is biking a struggle due to saddle soreness?

You have trained hard, and now you have now planned well. Think positively on race day, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised how easy and addictive triathlons can be.

Tracy Draper is the NFE Team Captain Coordinator. In addition to being on the NFE staff and a full time mom, Tracy also works as a personal trainer in Florida.