My whole life, I've been playing, training, competing -- in short, I'm an athlete. As an athlete, water is essential. I'm always drinking water -- before, after, and during workouts, as well as throughout the day to stay hydrated. And it's as simple as walking to the sink, turning on the tap, and filling my glass or water bottle.

Some places and some people, though, aren't so lucky. Almost a billion people around the world don't have access to clean water. The task of getting water sometimes takes the entire day, yielding a meager supply of dirty, unsafe water -- water that will be stretched across drinking, cooking, and sanitation needs, until it is quickly used up.

Smart, motivated people are working to change that. A properly engineered well for a community can provide clean water for 20 years, breaking down to roughly $1 per person per year. The water is safe, and there is enough for proper sanitation -- incidence of disease drops dramatically, especially for children under the age of five, who are the most vulnerable. Women who used to spend their days getting water can attend school, work, or care for their families.

My point: I am going to compete in a Half Ironman in late summer, and I'd like you to follow along with me and help provide clean water at the same time.

My campaign goal of $2500 is ambitious, perhaps overly so, but then, doing a Half Ironman is pretty ambitious too. (For reference, $2500 is half the price of the average water project.) Whatever you choose to give will be greatly appreciated. I'll be posting updates as I train and compete in some other triathlons, so I hope you'll follow along throughout the summer.

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Well, I finished my first Half Ironman on August 28, and boy, was I wrecked.

Total time: 7:41:27
Swim: 35:16
Bike: 3:38:48 (flat tire)
Run: 3:15:41

I want to thank everyone here who donated and is helping provide clean safe water - you all rock!

Thanks everyone!