LIVESTRONG Challenge 2008: Henry Rides in Memory of Ruth Levine

After a long and valiant fight against pancreatic cancer, my mother, Ruth Levine passed away on May 3, 2008. This year, the LIVESTRONG Challenge offers yet another opportunity for Team Rigel to ride in memory of one of our most beloved family members.

Ruth was a constant connector of family and friends and unconditionally supportive of our athletic and other endeavors. She traveled to watch us ride and race, always cheering on with enthusiasm, huge smile, and the occasional cow bell. I write this post now from her computer in CT, where a framed photo sits beside me of Andy and I crossing the finish line of the Challenge in September 2007. The photo above is fitting example of Ruth living strong, just two weeks before her passing.

We are all so honored and grateful that this year Henry will ride in memory of Ruth. Other committments prevent Andy and I from participating this year, but we are proud that Henry will be riding to represent our whole family. Thank you Henry!

I hope you will join me in supporting Henry as he rides in memory of Ruth.
-Sara

I Did It!!

photo by Jessica C Levine

It’s hard to begin this post and start to try to explain the entire experience of the LIVESTRONG Challenge. But, here I’ll give it a try.

In the week leading up to the Challenge, we diligently checked the Portland weather forecast and we did expect some rain. It was a 90% chance. We arrived in Portland on Saturday afternoon and after a fruitful excursion to the PI outlet store (thanks, Brad!) we checked in for the Challenge at the Tiger Woods Center at the Nike Campus. We were greeted by friendly volunteers who gave us our packets, along with bright yellow sheets on preventing hypothermia. I think it spoke volumes about the expected weather. One of the prevention tips—avoid perspiration. No matter how cold it was going to be, I was sure I’d be sweating. By now, you’ve also probably read below that we received news that the 100 mile route was cancelled as a Challenge option. “Due to high winds, rain and dangerously low temperatures on Bald Peak, the portion of the route used for the 100 mile ride in this area will not be used….the longest ride option will be 70 miles”. I was a bit disappointed to hear this news as I really wanted to get this 100 completed. Upon more thought, the 70 miles would considerable shorten my ride time and I fully expected to be back to the Nike Campus in time to enjoy the post-ride festivities.

Thanks to all of you supporters, I was able to make my fundraising goal of $3000 and received a ticket to the Fundraising Appreciation Dinner on Saturday night. Andy and I attended the pasta dinner with special guests Alberto Salazar, Chris Carmichael, and of course, Lance. A fantastic event, presentation of some special awards, and recognition of some pretty amazing people who are working hard to support the LAF.

We awoke on Sunday morning at 5:30 am and it was raining. Actually, pouring. Andy and I suited up in all possible jackets and gear and headed over to Nike towards the start line. It was just about 50 degrees, and the temps didn't budge much throughout the day.

Along the way, during the 70 miles, I came to describe the experience as "Magnificently Miserable". It was just that. Fantastic and magnificent--much more fun than I had ever imagined and pretty miserable given the 50 degree temperature and the continued rain. I was soaked within the first 10 miles.

Andy and I rode across the finish line together, where JCL ran by our side, shooting photos, and hooting and hollering. Tears of joy streaming down my face, even before I knew she was there. Big Thanks to Jess for being there to capture these final moments. She even greeted me with a dry towel (just like the pros!). photos below by Jessica C Levine

Another huge thanks to my dear hubby whose unyielding support has been a big part of my success on this ride. Pushing me to ride after work, taking me on new routes around Seattle, helping me learn so much about cycling, and blocking the wind when I needed it, he's been there in front of me the whole way. I knew I'd be riding behind him most of the time, so Andy wore my tribute to mom on his backpack so I could look ahead for my motivation.

Finally, another big thanks to the 53 of you who helped me reach my fundraising goal and all the others who have offered their support along the way. I could not have done this without each and every one of you. THANK YOU!

Click HERE for complete photo album from the Challenge.

Check-in and Course Change

Team Rigel is here in Beaverton, OR and we are very excited for our respective rides and walks tomorrow. The check-in for the event was today at the Tiger Woods Center on the Nike Campus. The registration area and expo were amazing and inspirational. There are thousands of participants and volunteers all here with a purpose to beat cancer down. Here are some photos from the check-in.

The tribute wall.


Tour de Dudster! Miss you Dad.




In honor of Ruth. Fight like hell!


Team Rigel


Oh yeah, the weather is predicted to be so bad the organizer's have called off the 100-mile route for safety reasons. It is supposed to be in the 30s on Bald Peak and driving rain. Instead we will be rolling the 70-mile route, which cuts out the big mountain climbs. Sara will have to wait until another day to do her 100-miles, but I can assure you she was ready to knock it out tomorrow.


Our next blog entry will be after the ride and post-ride party. Some pics of dinner with Lance to look forward to as well.

Thanks again to all our supporters for making this such a memorable experience. Together we are making a difference in the fight against cancer.

LIVESTRONG

Andy

No Rain Dance

The forecast for Beaverton, OR on Sunday is rain and lots of it. The weather will further add to the challenge of the 100-miles. We will do our best to battle the elements including use of fenders, rain gear, glasses. Whatever it takes to persevere in spite of Mother Nature's lack of cooperation.

If you know a "no rain" dance, please do it for us on Sunday. Also, if you find yourself curious on Sunday, you can check out an ODOT web cam on the highway near Beaverton to get an idea of what the weather is doing during our ride. Click Here to Launch the Web Cam.

Andy

$5,000

Today, Team Rigel successfully reached its goal of raising $5,000 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. When I first had the idea of organizing a team back in May, I picked $5,000 out of the air and thought it was probably not an attainable goal, but was something to shoot for nevertheless. Now, with less than a week to go until the event, I am humbled and inspired by the support of all the family, friends, and colleagues that made this far-fetched idea come to fruition. Thank you so very much.

For those that have not donated yet and would like to, there is still time. If you donate by the evening of Wednesday, September 26, your contribution will still count towards our individual and team objectives. Sara is very close to earning a ticket to the Fundraising Appreciation Dinner to be held on Saturday night before the ride. I bet she does it.

Thank you again and LIVESTRONG!

Andy

The Bell Lap

"One week to go! One week to go!"

I can hear it like I'm passing through the Start/Finish line of a bike race. It's the bell lap. This is the time when, no matter how hard it feels, no matter how much it hurts, you go all out to the finish.

So, we've got one week to go. I can hardly believe it's almost ride time. I never would have thought just 4 months ago that I would feel capable of riding these 100 miles. I still don't know if I can do it in the time allotted, but I'll finish, even if the party at the finish line is already over. My training has slacked a bit in recent weeks, due to the shorter days, colder and wetter weather (Fall just HIT us here in Seattle). I'm hoping for about 3 hours on the bike tomorrow, in between the Star-Crossed festivities.

This is the last week for collecting donations, and I'm already have more than $2000. I am so proud and lucky to have 43 individual donors who have honored, memorialized, and supported those that they love. I'd like to raise another $1000 to support the Foundation (and to get a ticket to dinner with Lance on Saturday night!). When I started, I thought I might be lucky to raise $500, and I was so pleased when I hit that goal so quickly. Then, I changed my goal to $1000, and more recently to $3000. I'm sure I'll be close by next weekend.

Tonight, it's 6:45 pm, almost dark, and raining. Let's hope tomorrow's ride brings better weather and maybe a bit of sunshine. It's time to push through the final lap.

My Trek Fitness 7.5 FX LiveStrong

Trek donates $25 from the sale of each of these LiveStrong models to the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer research. I'm very pleased with it (thank you, Andy and Sara, for introducing me to it). It has an aluminum frame, a Bontrager carbon front fork, a Shimano crank and Shimano derailleurs. We've added to it Andy's Time Atac clipless pedals. Very nice ! I'm proud to ride it in memory of Frank Rigel and on behalf of the LiveStrong fundraiser ride in Portland, OR on September 30, 2007.