LIVESTRONG Challenge Update

September 19th, 2009 No Comments

Team Tuma: Murray Webb and Gerry de Ocampo

Team Tuma: Murray Webb and Gerry de Ocampo

My bike riding has increased considerably in the last month as I prepare for the LIVESTRONG Challenge next month in Austin, Texas. As part of my triathlon training, which is basically multi-sport cross training, my rides have become increasingly longer each week. I started distance training in earnest four weeks ago with a two-hour ride. The subsequent weeks have basically been one hour longer in length.

Today, my Breakaway buddy, Eric, and I rode 84 miles over 4:36. We were supposed to ride for five hours, but Eric was too tired, still recuperating from his business travel jet lag and lack of sleep.

The ride today is a significant milestone for me: I felt strong over the whole 84 miles and could have kept going. This is my first bike ride ever where I did not feel tired or have my legs bonk out. I’m pretty stoked. I would say that I am definitely ready for the LIVESTRONG Challenge just four weeks away.

Next week, my bike ride will be a little shorter as part of a recovery week. The following week I have my last sprint triathlon of the summer season. I hope to break the one-hour barrier during that race.

And for my last long ride before the Austin trip, I plan to ride 120 miles with my Team Tuma teammate, Murray Webb. 120 miles! I don’t know what I was thinking when I committed to that. We are going to do the route for the Tour de Poway Century ride (about 102 miles plus an additional 20 miles).

On the fundraising front, I’ve modified my fundraising goal to $3000. I’m pleased to report that I’m in the final stretch of the fundraising effort with only $450 remaining as of today. I started a Facebook and Twitter campaign encouraging people to give a small donation.

Can you help me with a small donation to reach my LIVESTRONG goal? The Lance Armstrong Foundation helps cancer patients and their families. I’m looking for:

  • 5 people to give a one-time donation of $100
  • 11 people to give a one-time donation of $50
  • 22 people to give a one-time donation of $25

Please donate. You can help save lives.

Riding for Team Tuma

July 6th, 2009 No Comments

Last week I learned that the wife of a very close friend has ** cancer **. Even though I haven’t been a big part of Dennis and Vivien’s lives since my college days with Dennis, I feel the weight of this sad news very deeply. Dennis is more than a brother to me. He played a big part of my life while I was at UCLA, helping me grow in my new faith as a Christian. For those short years at UCLA over 20 years ago I learned a lot from Dennis about life and living it as a Christian. Needless to say, Dennis is one of two mentors in my life; he’s more like a dad and brother than a friend.

So I grieve with Dennis and Vivien today as I have learned that her cancer is in Stage 4.

  • Follow their journey.
  • Please pray for healing and comfort for Vivien, Dennis, and their family of six kids.
  • Join my LIVESTRONG team and donate to a great cause. Any amount is worthy for helping to find a cure.

In honor of Vivien for the rest of the summer triathlon season, I am dedicating all my hours of training, all my races, and the LIVESTRONG Challenge in October to Team Tuma. I hope to meet my fundraising goals for the ride as well as raise some additional funds to get a special jersey designed for Team Tuma.