Triathlon tribute to grandmother

The death of Yuma native Daniel Loghry's grandmother is driving him to help raise money for cancer research.

Loghry's grandmother died just before Christmas of 2008 from leukemia, and he is now dedicating himself to the cause.

Loghry needs to raise $4,400 to participate in an Olympic-style triathlon in November that will take place near Malibu, Calif.

"Seventy-five percent of the money I raise goes to cancer research, and the remaining 25 percent goes to operating costs associated with the triathlon, including all of my expenses to get to the event," Loghry said. "The money will also provide food and accommodations while I'm in California. The rest of the money goes to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and is a 100 percent tax-deductible donation."

The triathlon will include a 1.5-kilometer swim, a 40-kilometer bike ride and a 10-kilometer run, all back to back.

"At 7 a.m. the gun blows and I'll run from the beach into the ocean," Loghry said.

"I will go around a buoy and swim down parallel to the beach where I will turn around another buoy and turn in towards the shore. When I reach the shore, I will be ripping off my wetsuit and jumping on a bike for a 26-mile cruise on the Pacific Coast Highway. After that, I'll jump off the bike, switch shoes and run for about six miles."

Loghry said his grandmother's death showed him how rampant cancer is.

"That was a very somber Christmas. She was a huge inspiration to me, and just believed in me no matter what, regardless. We were close when she started going downhill. Life took a toll on her body.

"When that happened, I learned it was not just my grandma who was affected by the disease. There are people in your life who are your friends and family who have beaten cancer, are fighting it or have died from it.

"You enter this network of people and you realize this thing is everywhere. I always heard about the statistics but you don't understand it until it gets you or someone you know and love."

Loghry said it is important for people to remember the disease still exists and is killing people.

"I want to let everyone know about it. Everybody has stories and knows someone who has survived cancer or died from it, and I want to do my part as a healthy guy to raise a few bucks to help out. It's not a lot of money in the scope of life, and if I can do some good through Team in Training, that will be great."

Loghry said Team in Training is an extension of the the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

According to its Web site, more than 390,000 participants, from first-timers to seasoned athletes, have trained with them. The voluntary health organization said it is dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services.

The organization said it has invested more than $680 million in research since 1949, including over $69 million in 2009 alone. Its research specifically targets leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

"I'm working with the Phoenix Chapter and they said I need to raise $4,400, and in return I get support from the team and a knowledgable coach," Loghry said.

"For the last few months, I've been in constant contact with my coach and I have traveled to Phoenix to train with him. He is very knowledgeable and gave me a training program and said if I stick to it, I will do great and at least finish. I told him I wanted to be competitive so he amped up my training a little bit."

Loghry said he keeps a strict diet.

"I am on a plant-based diet. No dairy and no meat. It is a vegan lifestyle and it gives me an extreme amount of energy. I recommend it for anybody because it is a cure-all, but it's tough to adhere to. When you go out to eat, there is nothing on the menu. Even the salads all come with chicken, steak or shrimp."

Loghry said he can eat as much as he wants.

"My favorite food is a really good salad with a good balsamic vinaigrette. What gives my salads flavor is the fruits and vegetables I put in them. Fruit salad is my all-time favorite, but I live on granola, trail mix, nuts and berries.

"I eat a lot because I'm very active. I don't drink any caffeine. I stick to water and 100 percent juices that have no high fructose corn syrup. I only eat natural foods."

Loghry said he trains for at least three hours a day, five days a week.

"This includes long runs, swimming and biking. I know right where I need to be and where my times need to improve. I run the canals out in the county, or the city bike path.

"I run early in the morning and sometimes I will run the path at Telegraph Pass. I also swim in the river to get used to open water, and hopefully I will get to practice in the ocean soon."

Loghry said since he is naturally very active, exercising helps calm him down.

"I'm a busybody and exercising is a stress release for me. I have pent-up energy so doing it wears me out and it feels good to be tired."

Loghry said it is easy for his mind to wander during endurance runs.

"They are very repetitive and that gives me this mental capacity to really think in depth about a lot of different things. I think about everything including my career, my family and friends and what's going on in my life. I'll think of inventions and the most random stuff. I'll totally be unaware of running and start daydreaming. It is a running high."

Loghry said during the final leg of his journeys, he needs motivation to keep going.

"During the last 20 minutes, I really start thinking about pushing myself and bearing down. I think about the cancer that affects so many people's lives. I know it sounds cliche, but it's serious. Cancer is not stopping so why the hell should I? It totally drives me."

Loghry, who still needs to raise another $2,000 in donations by Sept. 12, said the whole issue is to highlight cancer.

"The big thing is that I want anyone battling or surviving cancer to be remembered. I want the community to know that there are young people out there that care. This is just one small segment and if one story can help somebody fight against it, I feel like I've done my job."

For more information or to donate, call 503-0208 or e-mail Daniel.Loghry@gmail.com.