Friends around the world...

Thanks to God that I have been able to compete in adventure sports and meet the most wonderful people from all over the world. I will post them a few at a time. I'm lucky to have them in my life...


Benoit Turcotte; Vancouver, BC, Canada

Ben and I met while sweating our butts off in 100+ degree heat at the Nuevo Leon Outdoor Challenge (Mexico) in June 2005. He is working on his Master's Degree at the University of BC. He enjoys traveling to Mexico to train with his AR team and plans to race the Nuevo Leon Outdoor Challenge in November. This photo is from his first ever Half Iron Man Triathlon earlier this year.



Claudio Saa; La Serena, Chile

Claudio was on staff at the Patagonia Expedition Race when I was there in February 2006. He was very helpful and even gave us some much needed food when we were heading off on our 5 day trekking section. He is an adventure racer and an architect in Chile. He recently presented a big project to his advisors.





Bill McBlaine; Los Angeles, California, USA

I met Bill at Primal Quest 2003 Telluride, Colorado where he was a volunteer. He became one of Team FRED's biggest fans and has become one of my best friends! He just did his first triathlon and now I'm one of HIS biggest fans...

Bill's note:
Thank you to everyone who helped out with my fundraising and sent me support. It was a fantastic season and the race was a lot of fun. Race day was really nice, cool temps for the swim and bike and it didn’t get warm till the run. The one mile swim for this race takes place through part of a kelp bed, with the unique swim skill called the “kelp crawl” coming in handy. I had been pretty apprehensive about the swim but it went quite well and I finished faster than I had anticipated. All the training really paid off on that leg. The bike was along a beautiful road passing by the Monterey shoreline. Aside from a broken spoke (!) that kept my wheel rubbing on the brakes most of the ride, it went smoothly though a bit slower than planned. The run was a fairly flat course that I ran faster than I had hoped for. That was really a surprise since I had been off running so much due to injuries. All in all a great experience, thanks to the TnT coaches, Mentors and Staff.

Although my event is over, my fundraising continues. I still have a bit to go to complete my fundraising. Team in Training fielded a team of over 200 racers in the Pacific Grove Triathlon and together we raised OVER 1.2 MILLION dollars. I’m proud to be part of this team and I encourage you to continue to donate to this great cause. Last February I learned that a friend’s co-worker was diagnosed with Leukemia. He immediately began treatments and ultimately had a stem cell transplant. As of a few weeks ago he is in remission, back with his family, back at work and back doing the things that he loves. He benefited from the research conducted by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the patient services that the Society provides. Please consider making a donation to extend the work of this worthwhile and needed organization.

You may donate online by heading to ;

http://www.active.com/donate/tntgla/tntglaBMcBlai

You may also send a check made out to LLS, mail it to me at
Bill McBlaine
3521 Lomita Blvd, #100
Torrance, CA 90505
All donations are 100% tax deductible. You will automatically receive a receipt.
I’m now planning my next triathlon….see you at the races.

Bill McBlaine