Cycling for a Cause

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart!" ~ Helen Keller

There are certain times in our lives that seem to stand out more than others. Times in which we feel blessed to be part of a greater good, supporting a cause or individual. On January 19th and 20th, I had the opportunity to participate in and support a team that is taking their show to the Boston Marathon. The 24-Hour Cycling Challenge, held at McWilliams Training, brought cycling enthusiasts of all levels together to spin the night and day away.

The night started out fast and furious with 8 riders hitting the course hard. Between music blaring, disco lights flashing, wheel of mystery spins, and drinks handed out to riders, the laughter and comrade were contagious. I caught myself chasing down a 10-year old, and falling far behind a seasoned veteran of cycling. Yet, the spirit and motivation in the room rose as Captain Jacob walked in, jar full of Oreos in hand.

Captain Jacob, along with his Angel Brian McWilliams, are the duo that qualified for the Boston Marathon - one of a handful of teams that met the qualifying time and were granted entrance - the reason for this fundraiser and cycling challenge event. To be able to meet and talk with the family of the young man this fundraiser was supporting provided all the motivation one would need.

When all was said and done, over 2,100 miles were biked in those 24-hours and roughly 5K raised to support an amazing cause and team. A very special thank you to all those myTEAM TRIUMPH Angels that signed up and took their turn at the wheel. And to Eric Johnson, June Matzke, Christian Jensen, and Brian McWilliams for putting on such a wonderful event and after party.

I continue to be amazed at the mission and vision of myTEAM TRIUMPH and the inclusion of all athletes in racing. What better way to share with your kids how each and every one of us was created in the image of God. While we may have different appearances, at the end of the day we all want to feel included and loved. I would say Jacob made a huge difference in the lives of my three kids that night, and he probably doesn't even know. Thank you Deb and Jeff Vandenberg, and Jacob for making all of us feel included in your journey to Boston!

#OwnYourDestiny 

Going Strong

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." ~African Proverb

Such a subtle, yet powerful quote...especially in the world of triathlon training, endurance sports, and community involvement. Perhaps this illustrates why I choose to blog and share as I continue to ramp up my training for a Half-Ironman Triathlon in June. And as I feel the transformation slowly happen, I know I will need to continue to reach out and seek additional support - mentally, physically, and nutritionally.

The past two weeks, training has ramped up in intensity and frequency. Between early morning swims with late night bike rides, and interval training runs, my body is slowly starting to transform. My legs aren't as tired, my arms aren't as sore, and the riding position continues to become more comfortable. 

I know the road is long and far. With that, I realize I will start to make friendships with groups and clubs that support swimming, biking, and running. Groups that will head out on early morning runs or rides. Groups that share tips and strategies for race preparation and nutrition. I am excited to continue to make connections and share along the journey.

One part of those connections start tonight in a 24-Hour Cycling Challenge...no I will not be riding for 24 hours straight. We have a team that will ride for 24 hours, taking turns at the spoke. All to continue supporting myTeam Triumph and the inclusion of all athletes. (Watch my Facebook feed for pictures and updates.) 

Finally, I was reminded by a friend recently that you should not train for an Iron Man of any length in hopes of losing weight. It will happen as a natural bi-product of training. Yet,  you need to nourish your body and fuel your muscles a lot. As the training continues to become more intense, I will need to take in more fuel. As he stated, 'Don't be afraid to eat.' Good - because I love to eat.

#OwnYourDestiny #GodIsGood

Using Good Eyes

As 2017 was setting sail, and 2018 was rising upon the eastern horizon, a great storm was brewing within. There is no doubt that 2017 was a trying and humbling year. It certainly didn't help that a nagging injury continued to cause delays in training and my mental mindset. As I begin to reflect and look back, getting ready to say my good bye to a year filled with regret, turmoil, life changes, and selfishness, it was a sermon from a guest pastor that helped me to change my lenses.

It has always been easy to look back with 'bad eyes', spotting all that had gone wrong or opportunities you might wish you could do over. I guess that's why the saying hindsight is always 20/20 rings so true. You pinpoint those exact moments that you wish didn't exist or where the outcome would have been different. These 'bad eyes' can cause you to lose focus on outcomes that existed because of these moments - outcomes that may be good or bad.

I am as guilty as the next. I could choose to look back at my 2017 and focus on that went wrong, or even what I would change. Yet, would I be here today, blogging about my experiences with myTeam Triumph, sharing God's love with others, and finding my passion in teaching and coaching. It was time to put on my 'good eyes' and thank those people who helped to support me and allow me to be where I am today.

Today I am thankful that I still have the ability to wake up and make a difference in the lives of those around me. To be a father to three amazing children that inspire me to be unselfish, humble, and grace-filled every day. The opportunity to be a better friend to those I wronged or lost touch with. To encourage them to live each day to the fullest. I am thankful that I can still train and support myTeam Triumph with my time and talents.

My challenge to all of us is to wake up every day and put on your 'good eyes'. If you don't feel like training, think about the good that can come of it, not the pain or tired you might feel. If you encounter someone with a bad attitude, help to shed a light of hope on a dark situation. Give back of your time and talents somehow each and every day. Wake up with a hope of optimism for the day you have been given. And if you dare, train a little harder each and every moment.