'I was ready to do whatever it took'

NAME: Ani Vidal

AGE: 42

CITY: New Tampa

GOAL: To finish my first triathlon.

WHY I DID IT: Four years ago, I was busy living life, excelling in my career as a hard-working and dedicated human resources executive. I was busy trying to be the perfect wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. My life was consumed by many responsibilities and not enough hours in the day.

My life was forever changed in June 2006. I had spent the previous five months enduring countless blood tests, scans, biopsies, spinal taps - every test in the book - all in the hopes of an answer for my exhaustion. Was I doing too much? Did I need a vacation or more sleep? Maybe I needed a better diet, exercise and vitamins. I didn't have time to be tired, much less sick! A team of doctors completely turned my world inside out when they said "AML," acute myelogenous leukemia.

Looking back, it all happened so fast. By December 2006, I was blessed with remission and faced a long list of realities and new priorities in life. It was time to start living, breathing and experiencing every moment.

HOW I DID IT: I discovered my own strength, limitations, a deep faith and convictions I had forgotten were a part of my soul. I had new hopes and new dreams. Suddenly, life was completely different, exciting and worthwhile. I learned to stop over-thinking and asking, "What if?" and start living my life asking "Why not?"

Why not become a volunteer, committee member, advocate for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, where I can reach out to others who have shed as many tears of fear and uncertainty as I have?

Why not learn to swim, bike and run for fun? Chemo was probably the hardest thing I have ever endured in my life. I was determined to learn how to swim a half-mile, bike at least 20 miles and, if finishing a triathlon involved running, walking or even crawling 3.1 miles, I was ready to do whatever it took to cross that finish line.

In August 2007, I was officially a triathlete when I placed second in the Athena Division of my first triathlon!

HURDLES: I had to learn to wake up at 4:45 a.m. and hit the gym at least four days a week. I've learned to eat healthier, take my vitamins and, most importantly, I've learned I may not be the most skilled athlete. I'm a guppy in the water. I can hold my own in cycling and I run like a very slow girl. But I always finish, no matter what.

In January 2008, after suffering a stress fracture in my right ankle at the Disney Family Fun 5K, I ran, hopped and skipped the last quarter-mile, but I finished. In May 2008, I crossed the finish line in last place at the Danskin Women's Triathlon in Orlando a short two weeks after having surgery and passing a kidney stone. But I finished.

GOING THE DISTANCE: I've learned there are no guarantees in life. Thirty-four months of remission can change in a blink of an eye for me. Every smile, hug, kiss and laugh now is like it's my very last, never taken for granted or wasted. My journey has been one of challenges, overcoming obstacles and losing too many friends to cancer. It has not been an easy journey, but it is one I do not regret nor would I change. I am who I am as a result of all of my life experiences. I was given a new lease on life - I am living, and if in some small way I can make a difference in the life of someone else, I intend on doing it.

So here I am now, once again ready to reach a huge goal in my life. I'm determined to conquer 13.1 miles in The Women's Running Magazine Inaugural Women's Half Marathon this month. It has taken blood, sweat and tears to get to where I am in life, but no challenge is too great - I'm a survivor! I can and will do anything I set my mind to.

On Nov. 22, I will cross the finish line once again, this time with my Team In Training coaches, mentors and teammates. Together, one mile at a time, we are continuing the relentless battle to find a cure for blood cancers, saving lives like mine.

BEST ADVICE: Over the past three years, I've had people thank me and tell me that my story is an inspirational one. Some have asked me if I got superhero blood during one of many transfusions, or they look at me puzzled and ask, "How do you do it? Where do you get so much energy?"

The truth of the matter is, I have yet to receive any Superwoman blood (as far as I know). There is no secret to the extra energy. Vitamins help, but it's all about living - every day, every minute and every second.