I just wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone who came out and supported me and my teammates in our fundraising efforts this past weekend! We had an amazing time, the sun was shining…there was great food…lots of good friends…libations were flowing…and the pinata…well…”Esmerelda” has seen better days
All in all we raised over $800 in just three hours!

Part 2 is in the planning stages….Pictures from part one to be posted soon!

So, as I’m sure some of you know that fundraising for the Leukemia, Lymphoma Society is part of the whole Team in Training experience and is often times the most daunting task to a lot of participants. First off, breathe….it’s going to be okay. If you’ve thought about doing a TnT event or are just curious as to how it works, I encourage you to do some research and ask around. My experiences with the fundraising have all been amazing.

There are literally, people who are paid to HELP YOU raise funds. They are amazing creative people with so many connections and ideas that it is virtually impossible for you to fail. You’ll end up exceeding your fundraising goal without even batting an eye. I promise.

And for those of you who are a little more “A-Type” and like to be hands on and creative and organized…create your own fundraiser…like this one…

BBQ BOOZEFEST!

Three of my Teammates and myself are hosting a BBQ BOOZEFEST Fundraiser this Saturday January 30, 2010 at “The Northstar Cafe” in San Francisco’s Northbeach District. We all pooled our creative minds together and planned a fun and exciting fundraiser. It’s a potluck BBQ where we encourage people to bring a dish to share or grill and if you do….you get a free drink! HOW EASY IS THAT?! We take donations at the door that allow you to eat the food (for free), get drink specials (cheap booze), take a whack at a pinata (damn straight there’s a pinata there), and you’re entered into a raffle where there are amazing prizes (like $100 Gift Card to Sports Basement AND $100 to Acme Chophouse)

I strongly encourage anyone who’s interested in Team, anyone who’s been affected by Leukemia, Lymphoma, or other blood cancers in their lives, or anyone who is looking to change up their life, to come out this Saturday and meet me and my amazing team mates and become inspired to help. I PROMISE you will never regret this truly rewarding, unforgettable, and powerful experience.

If you’re interested, please click HERE for the facebook information, and most importantly…

GO TEAM!

That’s right, everyone! Your favorite beer-guzzling, rugby -playing, bicycle-riding and crashing, dog-walking….guy is back again with Team in Training and this time, it’s no century ride (way too easy…). No, dear friends, this time…it’s a Triathlon! The Lavaman Triathlon in Kona Hawaii to be exact!

This is the first real posting I’ve updated since joining the Winter 2010 Tri team with Team in Training. This is my second round with TnT and I’m having the time of my life! I love my teammates, I love the training, I love the coaches, and of course our team honorees. This past weekend was our first honoree potluck where our team honorees (those who have battled or are currently battling blood cancers) shared their very personal and inspirational stories. We all brought food and drinks to share after an intense workout and were told stories of their struggles and of their amazing perseverence. Needless to say, it was quite moving.

One honoree, Joseph, really stood out. Joseph is 6 years old and is in 1st grade and has been diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This was the first Team in Training event that he and his mother had been to and I sincerely wish and hope they return as often as possible. That little boy’s smile and spirit will inspire you to run thousands of miles, let alone training for a triathlon.

Story after story shared of improbable survival and after trial treatments and drugs, heavily funded through Team in Training and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, a new light shined and the survival rates have grown dramatically over the last 20 years due in large part to the donations and help from people like you.

Please, help me in the fight against blood cancer, and donate on my page today. Not only will you be showing me your support during this training but you will be saving lives with your generous donation. Please, I urge you, send this link to as many people as you can to help me get the word out.

Race day is March 28, 2010 and until then, when things get hard, I’ll be thinking of Joseph and pushing myself to go harder and fight for him.

Please help support the cause! Click here to donate today: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/lavatri10/agarciacmu 

Your donation, not only shows your emphatic support, for my and my teammates training, helps REAL people like Joseph every single day with groundbreaking medicine, treatment, and care. Please, every dollar counts and makes more of a difference in these amazing people’s lives than you will ever know.

Thanks friends

Antonio

Attend an informational meeting October 7th at the SFSU Downtown Campus in the Westfield Shopping Center. Click here

Oh man…

Picked up my new bike on Friday from Sunshine Bicycles up in Fairfax, and oh…man…it’s so sweet. Major Major props and thanks go out to Martin and all the boys at Sunshine Bicycles in Fairfax (737 Center Blvd, Fairfax CA). Not only did he custom fit every part of the bicycle to my body, he sat there and took the time to walk with me and go over every part and custom built the entire bike. Those guys know what they’re doing, what they’re talking about, and do amazing work. This is truly the best bicycle I’ve ever bought, and also the best bicycle buying experience. I can’t thank Martin enough! (Big ups to Wyro too!!!)

Started riding again this weekend, despite being under the weather. 75 days without riding a bike and wouldn’t you know it…got on it and it’s “just like riding a bike”…didn’t lose a step….Welllllllllllllll, I wouldn’t say that I haven’t lost a step because I’m definitely not as fast as I was 3 months ago, and the endurance has gone down slightly but…with the awesome training that Team provides and the motivation, inspiration, and overall support come this Winter, I’ll be shedding this unsightly beer-gut and get into a shape, again (not round).

I’ll be attending an informational meeting TOMORROW, October 7th at 6:30pm at the SFSU Downtown Campus in the Westfield Shopping Center. Come out and just check it out…there’s no obligation to sign up right there…it’s solely an informational meeting. It will give you an opportunity to get an idea of what you can expect should you choose to embark on this awesome journey…and you can meet me! (I know, bonus right?) I’d be glad to share with you some of my experiences participating in the century ride at Tahoe and things I’m looking forward to this coming season.

I must warn you though, if you go to these meetings and you are a human being, you’ll be hard pressed to NOT join. It’s refreshing to volunteer and help with an organization that actually makes a difference in people’s lives. But don’t worry, you’ll feel great after leaving and even better when the event is over. You’ll make new friends that you’ll have for life, you’ll be making a drastic difference in the lives of those who continue in their daily battles with blood cancer, and you’ll get in shape while doing it.

Come out tomorrow night to the informational meeting at the SFSU Downtown Campus (@ Westfield Shopping Center) at 6:30 pm and see for youself. Like I said, I’ll be there and I’d love to talk with you about my experience and what you can expect with Team.

GO TEAM!

PS. These pictures are of my new bike…his name: Sir Charles Wellington III, But if you got something better, comment on the blog and we’ll consider renaming it…(other names thrown out there: Don Carlo and C-Well)