Natalia's Story on 93rock.com


	*September 19th* So, what can I say? My birthday passed, and yes, it was fun to turn a lovely 34 years old. Usually, when you get to your mid thirties, a sort of nervousness sets in and you question, "Why am I not married and how come I don’t have kids?" Honestly, I feel real proud to turn "that age" because my nervousness was not about that, it was about what I was going to embark on September 14th.....The Nation’s Triathlon in Washington DC! The Olympic distance was at hand and that was what I had on my mind the whole time. "Will I make it?" "Will I get injured?" That was the conclusion to that thought process. I proceeded to convince myself that Wolfgang and myself, after 4 1/2 months of sweating, soreness, tears and a shift in our mental gears, were going to make it through with flying colors. And you better believe it that we did. We are officially Olympic Triathletes! Wow! I’ve had all sorts of people ask me before we embarked on this journey, "Are you sure that you can physically do this?", "Are you willing to make this commitment?" an so forth. That was the motivation I needed to prove to them, myself and you that if you really stay committed to who you are, be excited to discover a part of yourself that was hiding and bring it out to light that anything, my friends, is possible! Team In Training is by far one of the best experiences I have ever been part of. You have someone who is 57 years old to a 24 year old all working together to achieve a fund raising goal and to achieve a personal reward of self-confidence and physical strength. To know that every step taken is then greeted by a cancer survivor or someone currently under chemo cheering you on; whether you swim for your mile or bike for your 26 miles or the dreaded run of 6.2 miles. Team In Training was there for me and these people, friends and family whom I’ve never met, cheered me on this Triathlon all because I was wearing a Team in Training purple tank top that I had decorated with my mother’s and aunt’s image; both of who were taken by the big "C". We all have this common bond that can now never be broken. All 25 of our proud South Florida Chapter stayed at the beautiful Renaissance hotel off of 9th in Washington DC. There was an emotional but wonderful Pasta party the night before the race. Then the morning of, all I can say is that bliss was in the air. The smell of competition and how proud I was to represent our station and South Florida but most of all, my mid-thirty ladies! it was a day that changed me forever! And the victory party....holy smokes....awesome! Sounds like something I’m sure you all would like to be a part of, doesn’t it South Floridians???? Well, the fundraising hasn’t stopped and know that every dollar you donate gives help for the needed research in finding a cure for blood cancers. The survival rate from 20 years ago when Team in Training started to now has risen from 5% to now a whopping 95%! Let’s make it 100% The donating doesn’t stop there. Do what I did and help make yourself an Olympic Athlete! Just check out the donation page below, donate and then click the link to find out how you can participate! I promise that you will not regret it! Til next time, Natalia Donate Now

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What others are saying

WOOO HOOOOOO
WE DID IT MAMA !!!!!! What an AMAZING experience !! The new found "family" and pride that keeps a smile on my face is priceless.... I am SOOO proud of you !!! XOXOXO, Deb ( Wendy )
By Deb @ 09/22/08 09:21:02 AMreport abuse
you are awesome Natalia!
Just wanted to say congratulations on a job well done!! You did such an amazing job and I'm really excited for you. I missed training with you this last month, but it was nice getting back to NY weather.
Congratulations!!!!
A job VERY well done!
xoxoxo
~Jody (New York)
By Jody @ 09/20/08 06:17:51 PMreport abuse
part one
Natalia….as promised, I’ve taken a few minutes (hours actually) to write my blog for your website. Maybe you should have a case of your favorite flavor of vitamin water chilled and ready to go because slogging through my blog is going to be as challenging as this endurance event you’ve undertaken.

Thankfully, I’ve been blessed to not have any family or friends stricken with any type of blood cancer, so originally my motive to join Team in Training (TNT) was purely self serving. In 2004, I heard a DJ on one of your sister stations talking about a century ride (100 mile bike ride) in Lake Tahoe that she was doing for an awesome charity, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She mentioned that TNT could train ANYBODY to prepare for this (absolutely beautiful, thrilling, spine tingling, hair raising) cycling event and in return all they had to do was raise money for the charity. Well, with me being on a positive life changing mission after my 19 year marriage fell apart, I decided this might be just the challenge that I needed to get me back into the world. Please note I was not an athlete then nor had I ever been one as a child…(nor am I one even now). The closest I’d ever come to an endurance event was my sleep “marathons” as a teenager, and I don’t recall ever crossing a finish line. After hearing the proclamation on the radio, I went back and forth for days (my nickname is Yoyo for a reason) trying to decide if this was something that I could do. In the eleventh hour I made my life altering decision and haven’t looked back since. Well ok, I do look back quite often because I’m always checking to see if I’m in last place.

In two weeks, The Nation’s Triathlon will be my 7th event with this amazing life altering organization. I may not be the most fit, or the fastest competitor (actually, I usually place DFL) but I fervently hope that one day from my life could mean a lifetime for someone else.
By Susan Snyder @ 08/28/08 01:14:23 PMreport abuse
part two
Natalia, I want to congratulate you for making the decision to join our team and for paying tribute to your mother and everyone else out there who has suffered with the big C. I’m honored to participate alongside (ok, way behind) THE naughty girl, and I want you to know the only reason I don’t high five you when we cross paths is because I’m saving myself for the swim…bike…and run that we have to get through every training day. My saying “Go Team!” is the most I can eek out….please know this comes from my heart. Just wait until you’re in DC and hear the hundreds of people yelling “go team” and thanking you for saving their life as you cross the finish line….I know you’re going to cry. I think we all do. Wear the purple with pride, as you deserve the recognition, and support and love due you for undertaking this awesome opportunity.

I hope your listeners realize just how dedicated you are to your mission and your job, as evidenced by you jetting out of training on Saturday mornings to get to the station on time all salty and sweaty and sea weedy. Oops…..I hope that wasn’t supposed to be a secret. Lastly, I want to tell you it’s been an honor training with you and I hope this is the first of many more experiences for you with TNT. You ROCK!

Suzi Snail (aka DFL)
By Susan Snyder @ 08/28/08 01:12:06 PMreport abuse
You Make a Difference!!
Your dedication and determination is an inspiration to the whole team. I love your positive attitute and the fact that you "get it". The reason we do what we do... to find a cure for all blood cancers. Research has come a long way. My friend Miro died when he was 16 from Leukemia. Others like him survive today in great part because people like you care and raise funds to find cures.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
By Coach Isa @ 08/07/08 11:19:15 PMreport abuse
6 weeks to DC!
Hey Natalia!

Your doing awesome girl! We're more than half way there with only 6 weeks till the big race. I've got to tell you it's awesome to be out there every weekend training with you and the rest of the team. We are all so fortunate that we have the chance to put ourselves through this kind of pain. I lost my dad to lung cancer when he was only 39 years old, a year younger than I am now, and in 2000 my younger sister melissa Jean was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma and went through the hell that is chemotherapy for 6 months. I am thrilled to say she is a survivor! That's why I race! Not just race but that's why I spend almost every weekend in front of stores collecting donations too. I want to help put more people on the survivor list with my sister. Kudos to you for taking on this challenge! We have a great team and we're gonna have a blast in DC!

GO TEAM!
By Mindy McDaniel @ 08/03/08 08:31:08 AMreport abuse
KILLER
WAY 2 B GIRL !!! TONY & CHANTAL
By TONY & CHANTAL @ 07/23/08 08:49:50 AMreport abuse
I'm soooo proud of my girl!!!!
I know this training thing is kicking your butt and I'm so happy to hear that you're sticking to it! It's not easy girl!!! I love you tons and I'll see you Sunday, at the ass crack of dawn, cheering you on as you change tranisitions and the finishline!!! Love you my popusa rellena!! LOL xoxo!
By Nicole D @ 07/18/08 02:53:56 PMreport abuse
I'm sooo proud of you!
Ok, you're blog made me cry! I know how important your mom is to you and I know she's so proud of you for all of your accomplishments and now this! What an amazing way to pay tribute to a great woman & her great struggle! I know she is with you every step/stroke/pedal of the way and so am I! XOXO ~H
By Heather @ 07/18/08 09:13:05 AMreport abuse
You Go Girl!!!!
You are an amazing woman doing amazing things! Always know how proud your fans are of all that you do!
By Sara-Hollywood Jaycees @ 07/16/08 03:34:23 PMreport abuse
YOU KICK ASS NAT
NAT: WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU THAT YOU ARE DOING THIS TRIATHLON! NOT OLNY FOR YOUR MOM AND A GREAT CAUSE BUT FOR YOURSELF. IT TAKES A LOT OF HARD WORK AND DISAPLINE TO DO WHAT YOU ARE ACCOMPLISHING. KEEP IT UP WE ARE CHEERING YOU ON ALL THE WAY! YOU’RE AN AMAZING PERSON!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!
By J &Cin @ 07/14/08 12:57:59 PMreport abuse
I'm proud of you
You have no idea how proud I am of you cousin. Reading your story about my aunt and what you have accomplished, brought tears to my eyes. I love you and keep up the great work.

Carlos
By Carlos Herrera @ 07/13/08 12:06:58 PMreport abuse
Naty you r amazing!!! and i am sooo proud of you! your one strong woman and i love what your doing, its a great thing! Im always here for you and backing you up 100% Good luck! You can do it, work them muscles!!! yeayuh!! <333
ps. toiletpaper love :P
By Jen yo sis ;) @ 07/11/08 07:32:38 PMreport abuse
We are going all the way!!!
What's up my sexy mama...just want to tell you is being great working out with you every weekend and see you sweat and go through all the pain and agony of the training we have to endure with Team in Training but I can say it has been an awesome experience and I would have not imagined the kind of people I would meet and the things we could accomplish as a team. Personally I lost my mother to leukemia last October and after seeing all the chemo She had to go through to fight this disease I decided to do something to honor her and others who are suffering from this terrible disease. I am amazed how much I have developed as an Athletic and how incredible is to see your body adapt and improve with time. Swimming .93 miles, cycling 24.8 and running 6.2 miles in September with you and the other will be the best experience of my life and i cannot wait to make it to the finish line and accomplish our goal to raise funds for the foundation and to complete our first Olympic Trialtlon, yeeeehaaaa!
Youe are awesome, funny and you make the training be full of laughs and great energy. Keep up the good work!!! You are my sexy mama and I will see you on Saturday so we can sweat some more ;)
By Jorge Ballerino @ 07/11/08 04:33:05 PMreport abuse
TRAINING
I KNOW SHE WORKS HARD I SEE HER @ GOLDS GYM KICKING ASS,KEEP IT UP!!!!!!,JOE FROM THE LOCAL HARD ROCK BAND"CONCRETE SKIFFLE"
By JOE @ 07/11/08 03:54:36 PMreport abuse
I am so proud of you!
Naty, Run like the wind, Swim like a fish, and Bike like you've never rode before. Love your biggest fan!! XOXOXO
By Chelsea @ 07/11/08 01:19:10 PMreport abuse
wifey
I am so proud of you I knew you could do it, I will be there waiting for you at the finish line.
By audra saddler @ 07/11/08 12:46:56 PMreport abuse
AWESOME!
Natalia,
This is really something important that you are doing. I have always thought you were awesome and there you go proving it time after time again. Keep up the good fight and I hope to see you soon.

Your boy,

Makavel
AKA Maka maka
By Makaveli @ 07/11/08 12:35:27 PMreport abuse
Kick Ass
Wow. Great goals and good karma, Natalia!!! Much success to you this season. Inspiring.
By Paul @ 07/11/08 12:21:33 PMreport abuse
nati
YOU ARE ALWAYS #1 IN MY BOOK AND ALSO MY 2 BOYS YOU GO GIRL!!!!GOOD LUCK JOE D
By Joe D @ 07/11/08 08:39:42 AMreport abuse
Natalia, you are doing a great thing! For yourself and others!
By jules @ 07/10/08 09:31:28 AMreport abuse
Health & Well Being
I know exactly where you're coming from and I'm behind you all the way on this. My family has a history of heart disease and diabetes. Very sorry to hear about your mom, but I'm happy to hear about you in this triathalon. More power to ya, Natalia!
By Oscar @ 07/08/08 09:51:35 PMreport abuse
natalia
very proud of you baby!
By justin carr @ 07/08/08 03:03:39 PMreport abuse

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