2009 Sam's Club MS85

Day One of the 2009 Sam's Club is finally in the books.

Here I am at the Start Line with a college friend, Rob.


There were about 4,000 cyclists in this year's event - here are about half of them!


As I mentioned before, I rode this year in honor of my college roommate's wife, Amy, who was diagnosed with MS just last year.


As for the results - not too shabby!

85 miles in 4 hours, 24 minutes with an average speed of 19 mph! That blows away my previous times of only 16.5 mph - so I'm pretty stoked!

Here's the real reason I rode so well today. I pulled into the lunch parking lot and saw this truck handing out ice cream! It gave me the sustenance to carry on!


But more beating my previous time, I also blew away my previous fund raising record as well. During the two previous years, I was only able to raise around $500. But this year, thanks to some very generous friends and family of Amy's, I was able to raise over $2,100 to help fight MS!

And I have to admit that I feel that God blessed this whole endeavor because, for the first time, it wasn't about me and my own personal acheivement but all about Amy and those who suffer from this disease. And because of that, this year's ride really is special to me.

Unfortunately, Day Two is already in the books as canceled due to severe weather! . . . hence the title of this post!

I'm really disappointed! First, the City of Fort Worth made us re-route Day Two because they didn't want the Finish Line downtown because of fears that we'd all get Swine Flu. And now, the National MS Society cancels tomorrow because Pete stinkin' Delkus is predicting rain all morning! You better be right, Delkus!

(Update:  It didn't rain a drop!  Overcast skies.  Temperature in the mid-60's.  5-10 mph wind out of the north that would have made for a perfect tailwind for the last 30 miles.   Otherwise known as, A PERFECT DAY FOR CYCLING!!!!!  Umph - that's what you get for watching the News! I'm trying not to be bitter!)

Oh well, it was fun and I really enjoyed getting out and stretching my legs! Thank you all for your donations and encouragement! By the way, you can still donate you want - click here!

The FINAL Bird's Nest Update

Things Kelly Says That Sound Really Funny When Taken Out of Context #2

"Every body wang chung this week!"

(Is she a child of the 80's or what?)

Wade's Easter Egg Hunt

Things Kelly Says That Sound Really Funny When Taken Out of Context #1

"I'm really into Jewish guys named Mordacai!"

(Oy, vay!)

2009 Sam's Club MS150

It’s the time of year again when I jump on my bike, head out with 4,000 other loonies on two wheels and conquer 150 miles in two days as a part of the Sam’s Club MS150 on May 2-3, 2009 – benefitting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society!

Although this will be my third time to participate in this event, it will be the first time that I do so with a purpose greater than just my own personal achievement. This year, I will be riding with someone very special in mind!

Just last October, Amy Steele Davis (who married one of my closest friends and college roommates) was diagnosed with MS. Amy recently told me in a letter . . . 

“By the time I got the diagnosis, the words ‘it is MS’ from my neurologist were not shocking or devastating to me. In fact, they were sort of anticlimactic. MS had been suspected for several weeks, so I was just thankful to finally know for sure. 

Reality did set in a couple of days later; however, and I went through a period of severe anxiety as I began to contemplate what the disease would mean for me, my husband, and my two young children.

Several months later, I can say I am doing very well. I get tired a little easier than I'd like, and occasionally my symptoms do flare up. But as I regularly tell people who ask how I'm doing, I just take my injections, try to get a lot of rest, and, as much as possible, try to live life as though I don't have the disease. I find that approach works well for me.

 
The advancements made by MS researchers over the past several years are absolutely remarkable, and I am very optimistic about the possibilities for the future. My understanding is that a pill form of the medication I'm currently taking is just around the corner. That is very exciting news to me! 

I am confident that one day there will be a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. As MS is thought to be a hereditary disease, my primary interest in helping to find a cure is on behalf of my beautiful babies!”

When I think of the hard work involved with training for and completing 150 miles in two days, there’s really no comparison to what millions like Amy have to deal with on a daily basis. I’m more than happy to ride my bicycle for Amy if it can increase awareness and help fund the research that could help find a cure for her and so many others.

I’m writing today to encourage you to support Amy and myself as we face MS head on. Please contribute to our efforts at my personal MS150 webpage. Friends and family on Facebook will be able to track my progress during the event.

Amy and I both thank you for your encouragement and support!

I'm Starting His Training Early!

He may not know how to draft a peloton or how to keep an aerodynamic tuck . . . but at least I've got Tate looking good on three wheels!