On October 14th, I will race in the VinFast IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i for which the hosts promise that this 140.6-mile experience "will present the ultimate test of body, mind and spirit." That's right. 2.4 mile swim. 112 mile bike ride. Then we'll finish with a "rolling" 26.2 mile marathon run ("brace yourself for the warm conditions and 85% humidity 😳"). I’ve trained hard and I’m ready to face the challenge. This will be a long day of self-discovery and testing my limits.

In parallel, this year I became a board director of Outward Bound California, whose mission is changing lives through challenge and discovery. Operating expeditions and experiences for youth and adults out of Joshua Tree, the high Sierras, and in the San Francisco ropes course, our amazing instructors use high impact activities in outdoor settings to teach human skills: leadership, teamwork, confidence, resilience, self-regulation, communication, compassion, and service. Over two-thirds of our students receive scholarship support, and we are dedicated to making the famous Outward Bound experience accessible to folks from communities that have been historically excluded from outdoor experience, or who lack the means. I'm putting it on the line for our students, and I am inviting you to join me with a gift to support them with an impactful gift that feels right to you.

If you would like to make a gift by donor advised fund or stock, please contact Emily Ford of OBCA at eford@obca.org. For more information, you may visit obca.org.

Thank you,

Alicia