Hey, they found the gene that most likely causes my eczema, asthma, and allergies! Sure, treatments based on that are still way off, but it is encouraging nonetheless. Interesting tidbit I learned: the allergies and asthma are actually most likely secondary effects caused by the priming of the immune system through the "leaky" skin, which leads to allergies and asthma when foreign substances later enter the lungs.

Quoted: Daily News Central- Scientists have identified the gene that causes dry, scaly skin and predisposes millions of people to eczema -- as well as a form of asthma, in some cases -- according to new research published in Nature Genetics.

Just have two more days of real training before tapering my workouts in preparation for the big event on April 2! On Saturday, we had our final "Brick" (run-bike-run, 1 mile, 25 miles, 6 miles) which represented the actual distances in the race, and on Monday, I swam 1675 yards straight-- pretty good for a girl who didn't know how to swim and had never run further than 2 miles!

In any case, I'm excited and nervous at the same time!

For those who don't know, I'm doing this to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-- and it's not too late to contribute to the cause if you're so inclined. :-)