For Yarmouth fitness trainer Theresa Saxton, Ironman competitions are serious business. She’s participated in three Ironmen, completing her last one more than five years ago. They all pale in comparison to her upcoming
solo Ironman on June 22: she’s dedicating this effort to honor her mother, who has been living in the fog of Alzheimer’s disease for more than 13 years.
Theresa has accepted the Alzheimer’s Association’s challenge and will host a Longest Day Event – a day that acknowledges that every day can seem like the longest day when someone you love is an Alzheimer’s patient. “There are more than 35,000 Alzheimer’s patients in Maine; I’m really proud to be playing a part in supporting those families while honoring my Mum,” said Theresa.
She’ll begin her day of swimming, cycling, and running at 6:30 a.m. and expects to complete the Ironman between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. at her Yarmouth fitness studio. While swimming 2.4 miles, hopping on her bike for 112 miles, and finishing up with a 26.2 mile run is a grand achievement, Theresa has loftier goals. She’s inviting anyone who’s been affected by Alzheimer’s to join her team. She has a fundraising goal of $16,000 and is encouraging people to join her in this day of motion:
- Make a donation to Theresa’s team; it’s easy and will support a host of people struggling with Alzheimer’s.
- Join the “group” starts for your swim, bike or walk/run to make some new friends and have company for your time in motion.
- Get in motion at Fitness Success (Theresa’s studio on Maine Street in Yarmouth): jumping rope, playing games, hula hooping, etc.
- Track Theresa’s progress throughout the day – her tentative schedule is posted on her website – and jump in on one of the many loops leaving from Fitness Success.
If you’re in the Greater Portland (ME) area, carve out a couple of hours for Theresa and her Mum on June 22; you’ll be glad you did.
This post is one in a series highlighting good deeds. Please share examples of good deeds in your community by commenting below or contact Deb directly.
Lead Big or Go Home. Draw your listener in with the unexpected. A young man who was in treatment for substance abuse got the attention of his audience with his opening statement: “I come from a very loving family.” That was the last thing this group expected to hear as an opening line; and by the time the young man finished speaking, the audience members had laughed, cried and cheered him on.