Important letter from Gail Hart

Dear Friends and Family,

I am writing this letter to all of you on behalf of a good friend of mine, Lynn Keane. Lynn will be competing the Janus Charity Challenge at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii next month to raise month for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Lynn is a ˜full-time" Mom of 2 boys (Ian, 9 and Ryan, 12), wife of Kevin (endodontist and great triathlete), and AMAZING triathlete (in her spare time!!!). Lynn has been racing since 1987. She did take the years off that she gave birth to the boys, but she was " "out there" supporting Kevin while he carried on the Keane triathlon tradition.

Next month she is competing in her 8th Ironman distance race and "6th" Ironman in Kona. For those of you not familiar with the Kona Ironman - this is the Championship of all the Ironman races for the year. Only triathletes can come who have qualified by winning their age group, at a qualifier Ironman. This is the elite of the elite. This is THE RACE. Lynn has qualified for this race 6 times. That's an incredible feat of athleticism. In addition to being just an all time great athlete she is the nicest person. She is always smiling when she's training. She's always got an encouraging word for her those of us "back of the packers". She's got a great sense of humor. (Here's a little snippet of her humor) ------- Last year she was coming back from a serious injury that had sidelined her for months. She came back to "win her age group" at the Cali-Man Half Ironman and was interviewed at the finish line. The interviewer very seriously inquired about her running/cycling injury and she replied that "She had been dropped during a difficult stunt during a Cirque du Soleil performance". I think the interviewer was stunned.

So - why do I write to you about Lynn. Because this year Lynn wanted to "GIVE BACK" to an organization that is near and dear to her heart, The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Lynn's sister, sister-in-law, and her dear friend and next door neighbor, are battling breast cancer. Lynn will be competing in the Janus Charity Challenge at the Kona World Championships in October to raise money for the Komen Foundation.

Please, please, please, take a moment to go to her website www.faithhopecourage.com to read her story and the stories of her loved ones that she is raising money for. Every $$$ helps her fund raising effort, the people who have breast cancer, and the ones who are yet to be diagnosed. They will all benefit from every research dollar.

I know Lynn will have a great race because this year she is swimming (2.4 miles), cycling (112 miles), and running (26.2 miles), with so many of us sending her so many good vibes. Please send your dollars as well.
Health to you all,
Gail Gutterman Hart

www.faithhopecourage.com