I didn't intend for so much time to go by between posts...but a few things have combined to keep me away for a bit.  But I'm back now to write just a short entry and I will try to get to it more often.

The big news: the fundraising site is up an running.  You can find me at the Janus Charity Challenge Website (www.januscharitychallenge.com) and search for Aaron Dewees doing Ironman Arizona 2008.  I also hope to have links on Heather Gollnick's site (www.heathergollnick.com or www.ironedgecoaching.com) as well as on the official charity (Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund) website www.cfsrf.org.  Also, this whole endeavor has a name: Operation IronFamily.  I wanted something in keeping with the Army (Operation), Ironman (the Iron part) and a reminder of who I am doing his for (the Families of  fallen military men & women).  It also speaks to the nature of the military family: they are tough, made of Iron.  All the moving around, personal sacrifices, separation, and uncertainty about the future calls on the service member and their family to be strong.  Often times...spouses and children are given he monumental task of carrying on in the absence of their husband, wife, father, or mother.  Dual military families...where for example both husband & wife are active (and there are many) are all too often deployed at the same time but in different locations.  In many cases they leave behind children to be "raised" by relatives & friends.  Now tell me that doesn't require sacrifice, courage, and "toughness."

So please visit the website, spread the word, and if you any questions you may contact me at lumbeerunner@gmail.com

I will write again soon...next time I will begin a series on how his whole mission came about, what the training is like, how training is going, and perhaps answer other questions you might have.

 Sincerely,

 Aaron..."live well, train hard"