Once again it has been awhile since I posted. Life is busy.

I did not do the LiveStrong Challenge as a day or two after I posted it, I realized that once again I had in fact overbooked myself. Several weeks earlier Brad had asked me if I would be interested in going to an LSU football game against Georgia in Baton Rouge before basketball season started. Brad has a cousin who is a student there so we had a built in host and I had always wanted to see a football game there as I heard it is an experience like no other, so I said I am in! Tiger Stadium consistently hits the Top Ten College Football Stadiums in the country.

Our friend JFLO decided to join us and we headed out Friday night. It is now Sunday and we are headed back home (I am posting this from the car actually). Needless to say we did it up pretty big and we are a little worse for the wear at present!

Below are a few pictures from my experience.

Now I am not a huge LSU fan, but we were sitting in the Student section and since I am not a Georgia fan their was no point in going against the grain. I owned the yellow shirt ahead of time, I bought the hat as a souvenir from the stadium and I “borrowed” the tie from the frat boy who was sitting next to us! I think I did an OK job of looking the part!

The three of us were talking and I think we are going to try and hit one of the stadiums on the list each year and make a guys trip out of it each fall. If so, I see my hat collection growing.

As far as the LiveStrong Challenge goes, it probably turned out for the best anyone as I would have had to rush to pull the gear together. I am DEFINITELY doing one next year and actually considering doing the one in Portland, OR just to do something different. I received a lot of feedback with people who know people who are into cycling and can recommend the right gear for me and maybe get me in touch with some bike shops who might be willing to sponsor my effort in part. Look for more to come on that in the coming months.

Lastly, the BTHO Melanoma event is coming up on Sunday, November 9. Bring yourself, bring your kids and bring some $$$ for the raffle, silent auction, donataions, etc… All the money goes to worthy Melanoma causes. I hope to see many people there as Angie has done a truly remarkable job pulling it all together (thanks Ang. this means more to me and someday my kids than you will ever know.)

Yay God!

Brendan

Livestrong Challenge

Well with the storm damage from Ike as well as a myriad of other things going on this event snuck up on me. As it turns out I am actually available to participate in this particular event on this weekend… nothing really going on. But, I have done zero in the way of preparation.

If you recall, we (Julie, I and a numerous friends) had planned all year on attending and taking part in this event to help raise money and awareness. As you recall, this time of year is where Julie started to really take a turn for the worse and was actually in a wheelchair so we did not make it.

I would like to take part this year in her memory…. I am in fairly decent shape as I have been working out quite regulary and feel as though I could do the 65 mile ride (physically). However, here is my problem and I need my readership out there to help me decide if I am biting off more than I can chew and wait until next year, or with the help of all of you out there can WE pull this off this year? Please provide your thoughts and feedback.

Key things to consider…

• I need to raise a minimum of $300 dollars (no problem as I can pay this out of my own pocket)
• Julie and I did the MS 150 one year (as she talked me into it). We did it with all of the wrong gear and I swore if I ever took something on like this again I would have the proper equipment. … So In my broad network of “ant”/ readers out there does anyone know of:
  1. A cycle shop (or buisness/ businesses) that may be interested in sponsoring my effort (even if only partial)
  2. I need to procure a suitable road bike (does anyone have one I can borrow for this event or maybe the cycle shop could loan me one). I road the MS 150 on a mountain bike and paid the price for several weeks to come.
  3. Gear I need… Helmet, shoes padded cycle shorts, hydration equipment in the form of water bottles or camelback etc… other stuff that I am not thinking of??? (I have some equipment but not all)

I really want to do this but don’t know if it is just to late to pull it together. The thought of being on the road, with just myself and the thoughts of Julie and her battle as I pull myself up and down the hills of the central Texas hill country holds a lot of appeal. However, I am looking for honest feedback as to whether or not I should try for it or wait until an event next year when I have more time to plan and pull the needed resources together.

Please help me make a quick decision….

Yay God!

Brendan