Resident Training to Make a Difference

Like most men, Steve Krempasky's inspiration to become more active came from his wife.

Unlike most men, the Hillsborough-resident's activity involves helping those with life-threatening illnesses.

Krempasky is part of Team in Training, an organization which raises money to stop leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and myeloma.

Krempasky is signed up to run the New Jersey Devilman Triathlon on May 7 in Cedarville, and, as part of the event, has committed to raising $3,000 for cancer research.  Currently, he has raised about $2,000 toward his goal.

"It's a cool program," he said. "It is great to raise money for a great cause."

Krempasky started as a triathlete a year ago at the Wyckoff Triathlon last June, after his wife, Dawn, participated in a breast cancer walk four years ago.  Her event motivated him to want to get involved with helping others, he said. Neither he nor his family have been touched by the cancer bug, but they to get a rush out of training and giving back, he said.

"We've been fortunate that there have been no cancer related illness in our family," Krempasky said. "It's cool to make a difference."

For the father of three, the hardest part of the triathlon game is the motivation to train. He cites time away from his family and also the lack of inspiration to swim, the event he is least connected with, especially late at night.

"I have to figure it out and squeeze it in," he said. "When I look back and realize that it is all a good cause, it motivates me to go to the 'Y' and swim at 9 p.m."

Krempasky loves the thrill of the triathlons, too,  It is less monotonous than simply running a marathon or biking for a long period of time and, as he gets older, the other events can serve as buffers for weaker areas.

"As I get older, my knees start to ache," he said. "I can not emphasize it enough, do different exercises, don't do the same thing over and over again."

He has also marveled at the generosity of others, especially his company, Chubb and Son of Warren, who have donated to Team Krempasky on his Team in Training website. The team is sponsored by The Body Shop of Hillsborough as well.

"My company has a matching donation plan," Krempasky said. "We raised $5,500 (last year). I'm amazed by the generosity of people."

As the years go on, Krempasky wants to continue to work for Team in Training, however, working out in New Jersey is not only on his radar.

"They have triathlons internationally and in Hawai'i," he said. "We've never been to Hawai'i and we've always wanted to go, so it could be neat way to go somewhere."

To donate to Krempasky's effort, visit his Team in Training donation page at http://pages.teamintraining.org/nj/njdevtri11/skrempasky