Remember the Blazeman.... My Hero and Inspiration

Live…

More than your neighbors.

Unleash yourself and go places.

Go now.

Giggle, no, laugh.

No…stay out past dark,

And bark at the moon like the wild dog that you are.

UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS NOT A DRESS REHEARSAL.

THIS IS IT…YOUR LIFE.

Face your fears and live your dreams.

Take it all in.

Yes, every chance you get…

come close.

And by all means, whatever you do…

Get it on film.

- Jon Blais “The Blazeman”

Jon, you did this for your dad and you also did it for me ......and that's teach me to appreciate all of the little things in life. I also now face my fears head-on and what's incredible is that they sometimes turn out to be my most amazing joys in life. Thank you for the wisdom and inspiration you've left for all of us. The world is a better place because you. Your spirit lives on in a huge way and is touching people's lives every single day.

RIP Jon "Blazeman" Blais August 30, 1971 - May 27, 2007

No Shark Bites!!

It's over and I did it!! Race was awesome. Weather was absolutely perfect. I think my official time was 3:40. My friends who did the race too, did a great job! I'll write more specs later, but had to just post that I made it through w/out any shark bites. Thank you for everyone's support and especially to those who donated to the Blazeman Foundation for the fight against ALS. I raised almost $2,500 and I ran this race in honor of Jon Blais.

Cheers.

5 days, 8 hours, 15 minutes

The count down is on and my apologies for being so bad with providing updates on my training. Training has been awesome! I think I burnt my lungs in Phoenix a couple weekends back when I was there for my nieces graduation, but aside from that...everything feels great. Swimming's been going great. I've had two swims in the lake and the tempature didn't phase me in the least bit. Runs have gone well....knee hasn't been giving me any issues. I've been making myself get on the bike (least favorite of the three), so all in all, I think I'm ready for Sunday.

And the fundraising for the Blazeman Foundation for ALS has been going great. Thanks so much to everyone who's donated, for your support and generosity! We've almost raised $2,000 and my goal is $3,000, so we're 2/3 of the way there. To donate, please click here. Last night they had the 2005 Ironman Championship again, so I got to see the clips of Jon Blais again and no matter how many times I watch it, I'm always inspired! I'm getting ready for the roll across the finish line!!

12 Days til the Plunge

I can't believe the race is less that 2 weeks ago. Trianing has been going great. I've had a couple swims in Lake Washington and temp at the time was equivalent to what the San Fran Bay should be (around 54 degrees) and the temp didn't phase me too much, so that's a huge relief. I swear I did see a huge jelly fish in Lake Washington, but no one believes me. :)

I've also been on the bike a few times and that's gone better than I imagined (as bike is my weakness and least favorite of the three).

The runs have also been going well. I had a great run in Phx over the weekend. Altitude and heat gave me a nice challenge. I've also been running as many hills as I can find in my hilly neighborhood.

Fundraising is also going great. I thank everyone who's donated. I (along w/ the Blazeman Foundation) truly appreciate your support and every donation honestly feeds my fire a bit more to cross that finish line, so thank you, thank you!!

http://www.active.com/donate/teamblazeman/perrysjogren

Escape from Alcatraz - Fight Against ALS

Dear Friends and Family,

Last year I competed in the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon to conquer one of my biggest fears in life (i.e. open water swims, let alone the frigid waters of San Francisco Bay). It turned out to be an absolute incredible experience and it's amazing how one of my biggest fears in life, has now turned into one of my greatest joys and adventures. I was also able to raise over $3,000 in the fight against cancer through the Lance Armstrong Foundation and I thank everyone who helped me with that fight. This past winter, I entered the lottery again for a slot to compete in this race and got selected! Training has been going great and on June 14th, I'll once again be making a flying leap off of the boat for another exciting adventure.

This year I'll be raising funds for the fight against ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) through the Blazeman Foundation for ALS. The Blazeman Foundation for ALS is a family foundation that serves to carry out the vision of its namesake and founder, the late Jon "Blazeman" Blais. It's dedicated to raising awareness of ALS and raising money to support cutting-edge medical ALS research. In 2005, Jon Blais was diagnosed with ALS. Although the average life expectancy of an ALS patient is only two to five years from diagnosis, Jon decided to spend his final days battling the disease. Adopting the name the “ALS Warrior Poet,” he felt that war needed to be waged against ALS, that he had fight in him yet.

To say that Jon Blais was determined would be a vast understatement. Having competed in triathlons for more than 20 years, he knew the face of seemingly overwhelming defeat. On October 15, 2005, 5 months after his diagnosis, Jon became the only individual with ALS to complete an Ironman, finishing in Kona, Hawaii in 16:28:56. In defiant response to the thought that he would not be able to finish and would have to be rolled across the finish line, he crossed the line by log-rolling over it. Traditionally, when crossing the finish line, athletes want to appear triumphant. When Jon log-rolled across that line, and when Blazeman Warriors roll now, they are shouting that they are competing to battle ALS. According to Jon, they understand “the cause is greater than oneself.”

As I swim, bike and run in the race, your contribution in the campaign to destroy ALS will definitely inspire me to race stronger and faster to the finish line. All donations are tax deductible and go directly to the Blazeman Foundation for ALS and you can donate under your name or anonymously. To donate, please click here or access the link below to my Team Blazeman personal page.

For an amazing video clip of the Blazeman, please click here.

Thanks so much for your support and generosity!

Best,

Perry

Blazeman Foundation for ALS
http://www.waronals.com
http://www.cycleforals.com
http://www.alswarriorpoet.com

Remember the Blazeman...Ironman's Braveheart

I placed this at the start of training last year and I think it's perfect to place again at start of training this year.

Jon,you helped make me appreciate all of the little things in life. Thank you for the wisdom and inspiration you've left for all of us. The world is a better place because you were a part of it. You will be terribly missed.

RIP Jon "Blazeman" Blais August 30, 1971 - May 27, 2007

Remember the Blazeman...Ironman's Braveheart

Jon,

You helped make me appreciate all of the little things in life. Thank you for the wisdom and inspiration you've left for all of us. The world is a better place because you were a part of it. You will be terribly missed.

RIP Jon "Blazeman" Blais August 30, 1971 - May 27, 2007