The Big Day

The LIVESTRONG Challenge event turned out to be everything I was hoping for and more. The morning started off early with the family rising at 5:30am and making it to the festival area by 7am. We had just enough time for a quick family photo under one of the yellow balloon arches before we had to get into position for our respective events.


I made my way over to the 100 mile staging area while Robin and the boys hung out by the stage area, which was not exactly where they needed to be. The 5K run/walk staging area was a few hundred yards and many, many bodies away from there. It turns out Robin knew what she was doing. A few minutes before they let the 100 mile riders go Lance rode less than 3 ft away from her and the boys on his way to the starting line. I looked on amazed and just a little bit jealous. Robin did her part by not interfering with Lance in any way.

The weather was nearly perfect all day. It started out cool, but short-sleeved cool with no need for arm warmers or a jacket of any kind. The San Jose Police closed the entire course for about the first 20 miles which was quite a thrill. Riding through red lights while the officers waved us through and held up traffic was more fun that it should have been. The rest stops were well stocked with natural food as well as the usual chemical concoctions that pass for energy food. I stuck with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fruit and gatorade/water. I had a few rules that I set for myself on this century ride:

1. Be safe
2. Stop at every rest stop
3. Ride at my own pace
4. Have fun!

The roads were crowded at first, which required some attention, but they gradually thinned out the farther along I got. I was tempted to skip the first and third rest stops but I know from previous experience that frequent stops and small bites to eat is the best way to go on a ride of this duration. Riding at my own pace was pretty easy because I'm not into racing as much as I used to be. I saw lots of people go flying by and I caught up to many of them later. Metcalf arrived at mile 67 and there were lots of people struggling up it. I was still feeling pretty good at this point and although I sweated a lot, it really wasn't too bad. Having fun was pretty much a given. My training paid off so I felt pretty strong throughout, and seeing Lance out there, even if it was just at the beginning, was a highlight.

As I neared the finish and realized that I had made it through the day, I started to get increasingly more excited and happy about what I had accomplished. Robin and the boys, along with two good friends of mine, Jim and Wendy Olwell, were waiting for me at the finish. I almost collapsed when I saw them but that feeling wasn't from physical fatigue. It was a good thing I had my bike to hold me up. I wanted to give everyone a hug right then and there but I was a bit too sweaty.


What a great day! We're already talking about next year. In his speech to the crowd on Sunday, Lance said that San Jose set a record for attendance and fundraising for an inaugural LIVESTRONG Challenge event and they will definitely be back next year. It was truly a memorable experience.

Some final stats for the day:

Miles ridden: 95 (not sure if my odometer is off or not)
Time: 6 hours, 44 minutes (including time spent at each of the rest stops)

And overall:

Funds raised: $3570 (not including the approximately $500 of Adobe matching gifts)
Total miles ridden: 674.5
Dollars raised per mile: $5.29

Thank you again for all of your support. I hope you have enjoyed experiencing this adventure with me. Here's one last photo of Robin and I from the fundraising appreciation dinner. Her support of my effort from start to finish was instrumental in helping me reach my goals. Thanks my dear - you're the best!