Dedication to my dad, Patrick Rivera....
 

It’s funny how things come full circle.  I’m going to share with you my story on how this whole thing got started….short version.

 My father Patrick K. Rivera passed away 13 years ago from Leukemia.  He passed within two days of diagnosis.  My dad was awesome.  He was an avid athlete.  He surfed, golfed, biked, skied, and played just about every sport.  He raised me and my sister as a single dad, (which was really rare in the 70’s), and coached my teams.  He lived life to the fullest and taught me to do the same.

 I found out about TNT and ran my first marathon in honor of my dad.  I haven’t turned back since.  In January 2005, I met Karen Tano we were both TNT participants of the Arizona Marathon. We are now life-long friends.  Her husband Kenny had just relapsed from Hodgkin’s.  We became running partners and during our 14-22 mile runs she would tell me about Kenny’s progress, and tell me all about him.  He sounded a lot like my dad.  He was a super athlete and loving dad to their two daughters.  His strength and courage inspired me.  Sadly, Kenny lost his battle that following June.

 More determined than ever, I thought “I need to step it up…I’m going to do an Iron Man”.  My husband, quickly replied, “I think you need to try a sprint distance before you commit to something that crazy”.  Fair enough, searching through active’s tri section, I came across an “adventure race”, sounded like lots of fun.  It was in two weeks, and I don’t know how to mountain bike, or paddle a canoe, but what the heck, I can find an “adventurous friend” to join me. I completed my first adventure race (not very well), but it was the greatest thing I’ve ever tried!  I’m hooked.  I did another one, and finally went to Rick (owner of company), and asked him if he’d partner with me to put a race on in Orange County.  I explained I was training for an event that I’d need to raise money for.  He agreed.  That was a year ago, and the only thing I could think of was, my dad and Kenny would’ve loved this sport!

 When Karen thought her life would never have that special love again, she met someone wonderful and fell in love. She married Ali late last November.  Ali was so inspired about Kenny’s life and the love everyone had for him.  He decided to run a marathon with TNT in Kenny’s memory.  He and Karen just finished running the Arizona 2008 marathon. 

 The Arizona marathon is where Karen and my journey started back in January 2005.

 I dedicate this race to my father and Kenny, and in hopes the money we raise will help further research to cure cancer.  I’m sure they’ll be watching, so please come out to play, you’ll be glad you did.

 Mahalo!

 Michelle Butterfield

What is "Team in Training"?:  Team In Training^® History
Team In Training (TNT) began in 1988, when Bruce Cleland of Rye, NY formed a team that raised funds and trained to run the New York City Marathon in honor of Cleland's daughter Georgia, a leukemia survivor. 

The team of 38 runners raised $322,000 for the Society's Westchester/Hudson Valley Chapter.  Because of the pioneering efforts of Cleland and the Westchester/Hudson Valley Chapter, Team In Training was born and has grown into the world's largest endurance sports training program.  Cleland was honored by Runner's World magazine in 2004 as one of their "Heroes of Running" for his role in establishing TNT. 

Join the more than 30,000 runners, walkers, cyclists and triathletes who will participate in the world's major marathons, triathlons and century rides this year on behalf of the Society. Fill out our online Tell Me More form for more details.