Pig Vomit

Let's be honest here, endurance sports are a somewhat self-centered pursuit.  Even where there are teams, there's little team effort or team work in marathons, triathlons, and the like.  Preparation for these events take enormous amounts of time that threaten to take the athlete away from other people, either with the absence of his physical presence when he's forced to train, or the absence of his emotional presence when he's busy day dreaming about the big event, or just too tired to pay attention.  I do my best to ensure that my training does not deprive my family of either.  I train early enough in the morning that, many days I'm home early enough to have breakfast with my girls and even wait for the school bus.  My coach, Dan, schedules training blocks in, what he calls, "S.A.U.s"- Spouse Approval Units.  And like a good Jewish husband, I asked Rachel's permission before I registered for IMOO (IMOO is the nickname for IM Wisconsin because, despite it's location in the city of Madison, Wisconsin in quite rural and cows are easily spotted along the course.)

Still, I feel a need to make such a narcissistic pursuit, like the IM, about more than me.  That's why Team Pig Vomit was created.  "Pig Vomit" is my nickname for my 10-year-old nephew, Noah.  I know, what the hell sort of uncle calls his nephew "Pig Vomit"?  Well, me, I guess.  You see, Noah's an awesome kid.  He's loaded with personality.  He's funny and, like my youngest daughter Elly and like me, has a gift for discovering people's buttons, and he has amazing endurance in his ability to push those buttons over and over and over.  So he and I have battles of the will.  Neither of us relent in our efforts to irritate the other, but Noah has more staying power than I have.  And once upon a time I finally shouted, "Go away Pig Vomit!"  And a new identity is born!

Noah is an amazing kid and he bad luck.  Several years ago Noah was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EE), a miserable disease that attacks his body when he eats practically any food.  Noah has endured more invasive medical tests and procedures at 10 than most do in a lifetime.  And still, he has an incredible ability to smile and to have fun.  Through all of the crap, he is always uniquely "Noah".  And in that way, Noah amazes me.

This year Noah was diagnosed with a second disease that was brought on by EE.  Gastroparesis means that his stomach does not empty itself of food at a normal rate.  That often leaves him doubled over in pain, often feeling like he is suffering from a severe case of the stomach flu.

EE isn't as rare a disease as you may have guessed.  However, it was only identified in relatively recent years.  It's been called a mini-epidemic because it's being diagnosed at an alarming rapid rate.  However, awareness is relatively limited, and therefore funding for medical research in the hunt for treatments and cures in limited.  So every dollar raised makes an impact.

Team Pig Vomit's first fundraising event was the "6 Hours of Power Mountain Bike Race" which I completed in July, 2011.  I raised about $2500 or so.  I completed the race, though I made it harder on myself than I needed to, competing on a single-speed mountain bike race.  That's right.  No downshifting on a 10 mile course with about 1500 vertical feet of climbing.  The temperatures rose well into the 90 and I suffered more than I anticipated.  But I officially inaugurated Team Pig Vomit in the process and raised a few dollars at the same time.

I'm reaching higher this time.  Team Pig Vomit is my effort to make the Ironman about more than myself.  And this year I'm aiming to raise $14,060.  That's $100/mile that I plan to complete at the IM.  I'll need you help.  I'll take your donations anytime- there's a link to the right.  But no rush.  I'll be asking you, officially, some time in the future.

Until then...oink-moo!