It is been busy around here these days. Not much time left to blog as I have some projects around the house that need my attention. I have all these scrap wood my dad helped me collect from this old swing sey we had that I am using to build a shed. It is been an interesting project but one that it is taking time along with the rest of things I already have going on. It is coming together nicely but I have a little more to go. Soon enough I will be finishing it off so that I can have more room in the garage for my triathlon toys...
How about the IM World Championship race in Kona last weekend? I could not believe the race that took place on the women's side. What a story this Chrissie Wellington has from a virtual unknown to world champion in about 9 hours or so of work. I love it! It seems as if the women's torch has been passed to a new generation of racers who are taking the IM world by storm.
On the men's race I was not surprised to see Macca win the whole enchilada. I could not believe all the people who were not able to finish the race (or start for that matter). Anything can happen in this race that is for sure. This one was Macca's race to lose. After being humbled in years past this was his time and I am glad to see him being an honorable champion. I would have love to see Tim DeBoom catch "Thunder Bear" but at the same time it was great to see that someone with a dead even pace in the marathon can make a podium finish at the World Championships. I do have to mention Mr. Alexander and his versatility in the sport of thriatlon. Are you kidding me? His performance in Kona is nothing short of remarkable. What a powerhouse that guy is. I could not believe it when I was watching the broadcast. If he keeps this up he could surprise some people next year.
It would be incredible to be out there to race someday... How much luck do you think I need to win a slot from the lottery? Don't tell Mrs. Clot Buster but I purchase a lottery entry the other day. I think that a "second" honeymoon is a perfect excuse when she finds out. I am looking out for her best interest as a visit to the big island will be exactly what she needs next October...
If you have not had the chance to read about NATT's lates press release please check it out below. Very exciting this going on with NATT and we are getting a front row seat to see it all happen!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 26, 2007
CDC AWARDS NATT FUNDINGTO IMPROVE BLOOD CLOT AWARENESS
TARRYTOWN, NY - The National Alliance for Thrombosis and Thrombophilia (NATT) today announced the award of two major program grants totaling $1.35 million that will serve as building blocks for its efforts to curb the unchecked devastating effects caused each year to nearly one million Americans who develop a blood clot.
NATT will use its two Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grants to “launch a national wake-up call to promote public and healthcare professional awareness of this serious medical condition that each year kills nearly 300,000 Americans,” explains NATT President Randy Fenninger.
“We have a national crisis because few people recognize or understand the symptoms and risk factors of this silent killer. And even equally startling, is that not enough of our nation’s healthcare professionals have a full understanding of the symptoms and the methods for treatment of this life-threatening condition,” he said. Complications from clotting, occurring in more than half of those affected individuals, can often have serious consequences – as is evident from an annual mortality rate that is greater than the combined deaths from breast cancer, AIDS, and automobile accidents.
Mr. Fenninger complimented the proactive efforts of the CDC for recognizing the need to fund an all-out public and professional attack against blood clotting disorders. The awards, he notes, “serve to further support our national education and awareness work. This is a superb news for all Americans at risk for blood clots, and a very proud moment for the many volunteers who have worked so hard to move NATT from a board room dream to a now nationally respected community-based advocacy organization that does so much good.”
Aiding the CDC’s proactive funding efforts was a meeting held in May of 2006 by the U.S. Surgeon General who brought together national healthcare and public leaders to discuss the serious problems surrounding blood clots and clotting disorders. The general theme from this meeting is the publication of “Call-to-Action” this fall by the U.S. Surgeon General to improve education and awareness within the healthcare profession, as well as the general public.
These facts, combined with a serious lack of awareness among the public, constitute a significant public health problem that NATT has been battling since its inception in 2003. NATT Executive Director Alan Brownstein explained that a national initiative called “Stop-The-Clot,” will now be launched. The multi-tiered program, one of two receiving funding awards from the CDC, will focus its education and awareness efforts on such objectives as:- Enhancement of NATT’s successful patient seminars into a nationally Stop-The-Clot Forum series- Establishment of a comprehensive consumer Clotting Information Resource Center (CIRC; available via web and print mediums)- Collaboration with the national Hemophilia Treatment Centers, the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Centers, and the Anticoagulation Forum network for distribution of education materials- And the development of a regional chapter infrastructure.
The CDC also awarded funding for a nurses and non-physician healthcare professionals’ education project that will specifically address the areas of blood clot prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management. NATT’s Medical And Scientific Advisory Board (MASAB) Chairman Dr. Stephan Moll, director of the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill Thrombophilia Program, expressed his board’s delight regarding the CDC awards. “I commend the CDC on their efforts to respond to this extreme health issue in such a proactive manner through funding these programs instituted by NATT,” he said.
Dr. Moll noted that the healthcare professionals’ education project is deemed an essential element in the fight against blood clots. “Improving the content and delivery of health information/education by nurses and other non-physicians,” he said, “provides an educational and training aspect to a critical part of a patient’s healthcare and wellness.”
The program, Dr. Moll explained, will be delivered nationally through the utilization of evidence-based teaching methods in small group sessions led by trained faculty. The program’s ultimate goal is to prevent secondary conditions in people with clotting disorders by improving their access to knowledgeable healthcare providers.
NATT will collaborate with many organizations in its development of a 12-region training program. Patients will be reached throughout the U.S. network of the 140-federally funded Hemophilia Treatment Centers, the CDC Pilot Thrombophilia Centers and through participants of the Anticoagulation Forum.
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(For More Information regarding the National Alliance for Thrombosis and Thrombophilia and/or their national programs, please contact Alan Brownstein at (917) 209-2000 , apbrownstein@msn.com, or NATT President Randy Fenninger (202) 833-007. or log on to http://www.nattinfo.org/. NATT is a 501c3 national volunteer community-based organization which welcomes support through involvement and/or donations. Further information can also be obtained from NATT’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Board chairman Dr. Stephan Moll, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill at (919) 966-3311 or smoll@med.unc.edu.)
For the Clot Buster it was GREAT! I am just very THANKFUL to have the opportunity to have what I have. I am very LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO LIVE THE DREAM like I do each and every single day. I hope that this Christmas you too get the chance to live the dream and carry that over with you to 2008!
Thanks for reading,
Well, here we are Christams right around the corner. This year, I don't have a clue of what Mrs. Clot Buster have placed under the tree for me. I failed to provide a list this year so I am in limbo about what will it be. I am looking forward to it because I enjoy surprises a GREAT DEAL.
I don't know about the look of the pulled up socks. However, I appreciate very much the warmth they provide on cool runs. Although, the socks that I wear on these pictures are nothing more than regular old soccer socks there are some people out there who can sport the same look I have for entirely different reasons. I found an article in 
That is correct my friends... the Clot Buster Polka-dots are going aero-dynamic...!!!
Enjoy the Holiday! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
The conference was a GERAT SUCCESS. Thanks to all of you had the chance to attend. I know that with the outstanding speakers we had it was very well worth every minute you spent with us this past Saturday.
We had a great turn out and as always meeting the people at this conferences is great fun for me. Although they can be long days it is a pleasure to be out there giving the people who attend the chance to learn more about blood clots and blood clotting disorders as well as meet with other people and relate to each the journey you are going through. The support we witness at these conferences is exactly why we plan and execute them. I already look forward to the next opportunity for me to participate. I don't when it will be but be sure that the polka dots will be ready to witness the magic of learning and support once more.
What can I say about Salt Lake City? In deed a cool place to visit. I LOVED being amongst the mountains but above all I REALLY ENJOYED the chance to get out there and do some vertical training. 
WOW!!! Did I miss going up the mountain side...?!?! It was thrill that I can't even describe. The views were incredible in every direction we looked. Very seldom I look forward to get up early to get out the door to work out. But this time being so close to the Red Butte Park I could hardly sleep I wanted to go vertical so bad. The Clot Buster is a HAPPY CAMPER for sure... I think that I am still smiling.
Thanks for reading,
Well, I don't know... the question always is, can I do it?
What do you think about Mr. Armstrong and his NYC-Olsen fling? In my humble opinion, which no-one asked for but I am giving anyway, WTF...! What is he thinking? Whatever respect I had for him it will take some time for me to gain back... Now, I understand his whole spiel about "I want to spend time with my kids..." unfortunately not exactly his. I sort of feel the way he looks in this picture, about to throw up...
Colorado Rockies: Aaron Cook
Boston Red Sox: Terry Francona 
Ready or not here I come along with 
Unfortuantely, I am not rooting for either team just enjoying the competition while I am going to town in the house projects I am taking on while Mrs. Clot Buster is out of town. I am just trying to shorten my honey-do-list...
