Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Memphis Thunder Racing- A Team With A Purpose

Dave and I are currently reading The Purpose Driven Life.  Chapter 1:  It Is Not All About You. That is so much to ponder, and I have really been thinking about it all day.  I have been thinking about how this applies to my life at school and at home.  I sure to have a lot to work on!  

How does this translate to triathlons?  I feel very, very fortunate to belong to an amazing triathlon team, Memphis Thunder Racing.  Our team is open to all individuals, regardless of skill, which is unique in this area.  Although we have some amazing triathletes, all-americans, and world qualifiers, we also have beginners that are just learning to swim, bike, or run.  We are a team for all different types of individuals.  

I had to throw this old picture in. This is a picture from my first year on Thunder, and I think that this was my first group ride too!   That is me and Andi, my first friend on Thunder.  She has moved to Colorado and I never see her anymore :(  But, she is coming in town for Memphis In May!  Yeah!!!!

The thing about my team that I have been most proud of lately is the focus it has on helping others.  That outward focus...the "it is not all about me" focus.  Check out the next two months on our schedule.  
  • Fit City Dash and Splash at Wellworx Friday April 18 at 6:3o.  This is a painful but fun race that consists of running and then swimming.  It sounds like no big deal, but it is really hard!  Although Thunder is not hosting this event, we are helping out the race since the promoters are one of our sponsors.  The proceeds go to St Jude... how awesome! Worthwhile to say the least.
  • Thunder Special Olympics Field Day Saturday April 26 from 10-1.  We are having participants from special olympics come and participate in some games and athletic contests.  We are also setting up some buddy systems where we get to mentor an athlete in triathlons!  This means I get to coach an athlete 1x a month for 2 hours.  It is so cool.  
  • Cycle for Safety in Memory of Cory Horton May 4 at 10:00.  This speaks for itself.  We want to raise awareness for the safe treatment of cyclists in the community.  The money we raise goes to 3 different Memphis organizations to help make this a safer place to ride.  Cycle for Safety is a 25 & 50 mile sponsored ride.
  • Memphis in May- Raising money for the Church Health Center.  As a team, we are going to race for donations to give to this Memphis organization that provides health care to those individuals that work, but still cannot afford health care.  The Church Health Center also helps educate and promote fitness- just ask Joy, premier health specialist!   
All four of these events are so great.  It reminds me that while I do the things that I enjoy and have my own goals I would like to reach, there is always room and space to give to others.   

2 comments:

Jan said...

well said! yal need any extra helpers with the special olympics?

Anonymous said...

Damie,
This is great...and how wonderful that you are giving back...that is the way to do it! Nice work! :) Jen H.