The Backdrop:

As a female growing up in Pakistan, sports, endurance and physical activity were not only de-emphasized, they were  frowned upon after you reached a certain age.

I moved to the US when I was 12 and with it came so many new and exciting oportunities, including the the opportunity to participate in sports.

In high school, I wanted to try out for track and cross country but I lacked the confidence and the determination to actually make it happen. I was just too scared. What if they make fun of me... I can't even run a mile.

My desire to finally start running recreationally came from something a bit superficial in nature. It was my senior year in High School and, simply put, I didn't want to gain the Freshman 15 in college!

My old middle school was roughly a two mile round trip from my parent's place. So, during the summer between  Senior year in HS and  Freshman year in College, I made it my goal to be able to run the entire way to my middle school and back.

I started with a painfully slow run/walk routine. I'd run as much as I could, then I'd walk; run again, then walk again and so on.

Little by little, I walked fewer and fewer steps between the run parts until one day, I ran all the way to the school without stopping. I remember reaching the gates of the school  with an acute pain in my sides but a huge smile on my face.

I had just run my very first continuous mile.

By the end of the summer, I could run all the way to my middle school and back without stopping.

During college, I became even more  active. I ran when my hectic schedule permitted and I frequented the gym to escape from the day to day stresses.  Running and working out became more than just ways to keep the lbs off my frame. They helped me  keep my sanity.

3 years ago, during the summer of 2006,  I read an article on triathlons in a  women's fitness magazine that I had picked up on a whim. Wanting to take my physical activity to the next level, I decided to complete a triathlon by the following spring.

I saw triathlons as a very daunting challenge for me. At that point I hadn't been in a swimming pool in 4 years; I couldn't even swim a full length of the pool. In addition, I hadn't really ridden a bike since I was 8 or 9.

I was nervous and not entirely sure how I was going to accomplish this feat but I had allowed  lack of confidence to stop me from pursuing my dreams in the past. I was determined to not let it happen this time. On 2/28/2009, I completed my very first triathlon: A 400m swim, 10mi bike ride and a 2 mile run.

Now, 2.5 years later, I am  embarking on an  ardous and unparalleled physical and emotional journey. One that will require a lot of sacrifice, courage and support. And I would love for you to be a part of it.

The Event:

On November 22nd 2009, I hope to line up with thousands of others at the Town Lake in Tempe, Arizona to participate and compete in the "Mother of all Triathlons":

THE IRONMAN.

Ironman Triathlon consists of a 2.4mi swim, followed by a 112mi bike ride, followed by a marathon, all to be completed within a 17h time frame.

I've competed in about 9 triathlons  and have two Half Iron distance triathlons (1.2mi swim, 56mi bike, 13.1mi run) under my belt. But what I've done so far is miniscule compared to what I plan on achieving now, and I need YOUR support to make it happen.

I had decided a while back that if/when I attempt Ironman, I would line my training with a cause that I care deeply about.

The Cause:

Focus Humanitarian Assistance is an international group of agencies established in Europe, North America and South Asia to complement the provision of emergency relief, principally in the developing world. It helps people in need reduce their dependence on humanitarian aid and facilitates their transition to sustainable, long term development.

While I've known about this cause and supported it for quite some time, my inspiration to raise awareness and money for Focus USA through my Ironman Training came from reading an article online about a Pakistani Female Search and Rescue Team developed and supported by Focus USA.

In 2006, these women  in Pakistan and Tajikistan were the first Muslim women in today's Islamic world to risk their lives this way to save other women. In the conservative areas where these women conduct their rescue missions, many women are not allowed to be touched by men that they are not related to, even in emergency situations such as being trapped in the aftermath of an earthquake.

The fact that these women go so far against convention to provide relief in the face of extreme danger is truly remarkable. As a girl who grew up in Pakistan, this story resonates very deeply with me.

 I hope that the story strikes a chord with you too. Join me as I train to be a part of something that I'll cherish for the rest of my life. I need your support to help make it happen.

Any amount that you'd like to donate, no matter how big or small, would mean the world to me and to those who are rescued  through this organization.

If you'd like to know more about my Ironman journey, please read my blog:

www.mixedbagmusings.blogspot.com.

Thank you so much for your time :)