More Inspirational reading

My friend Chris sent me this link today about a woman who won a lottery spot to do the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. She started doing triathlons for her youngest son with Leukemia. Of course... I cried after reading it, but its a "feel good" story. Read on....

Legislation update...

OK... apparently sending thousands of emails to your representatives actually works! Here's the lastest message from the LAF regarding the bills to be put to vote on November 6, 2007 here in Texas:

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TEXAS VICTORY

What a proud moment for Texas. And we have YOU to thank for it. During the past weeks the citizens of Texas sent a loud and clear message to their elected officials prompting the Texas Cancer Initiative (House Joint Resolution 90 and its companion bill, House Bill 14) to pass through the Texas House and Senate.

While I am proud of what we have accomplished thus far, we must now set our sights on the public vote. Over the course of the next 6 months we will have a tremendous opportunity to unite the citizens of the Lone Star state to make Texas a worldwide leader in the fight against cancer. The November 6th vote will offer Texans an opportunity to approve $3 billion in general obligation bonds that would provide $300 million a year for cancer research and programs.
If passed by the voters, the money will go to the newly established Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas which would fund research to prevent, detect and treat cancer, while also expanding important cancer prevention, early detection and control programs funded by the Texas Cancer Council.

To stay updated on this effort and take the fight to the national stage, join the LIVESTRONG Army today.

LIVESTRONG,
Lance Armstrong
LIVESTRONG Army

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Being overly emotional?

It has been a week since my last long post. I have wanted to put something down on paper, but unfortunately, my thoughts have been all over the place. There really has been no set subject that I have wanted to discuss either, there have been many. How do I compile all that random thinking into a blog entry? Well... I have started taking notes, sounds silly I guess, but it has been helping. One thing in particular that I want to touch on is how much the media bombards us with sadness. Maybe I’m overly sensitive. I do seem to cry easily, but then again I am a woman and I think that is embedded in our genetic code. Ha Anyway, let me start here... I was watching ESPN a couple weeks ago. They frequently show programs about athlete’s personal lives and personal “struggles” etc etc. They play moving dramatic music, and have interviews and show pictures on and on and on. During this particular spot, ESPN was interviewing Los Angeles Lakers forward, Lamar Odom about his losses and his ability to move on and continue to play basketball. I knew this was going to be a tear jerker, I should have turned it off, but I think sometimes I’m a glutton for punishment. The program came right out and mentioned that he lost his mother to cancer at a young age (I got teary of course...), then went on to really drive it home by mentioning his latest tragedy, he lost his 6 ½ month old son to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). I completely lost composure! I walked into my kitchen sobbing looking for a tissue and cursing myself for crying yet again over ESPN’s documentary style reporting. I was thinking to myself that I’m a complete retard for letting my emotions get the best of me again.

Over the last year hearing or seeing anything cancer related has stirred up the ‘ol emotions, even the reference to the astrological sign. I have seen billboards advertising money for those with Stage 4 Cancer to do experimental treatments. Billboards! I start crying over those too. There are always programs on TV, or commercials advertising the best in treatment at this or that facility. If you search cancer online, there are millions of hits. I’m not sure if I’m overly sensitive or I’m just more in tune to the realities of this disease. Here are some statistics... on average 1 in 4 deaths in the U.S. are from cancer. That’s about 1500 people per day that die. I saw a projection in a medical article that about 559,000 people will pass this year in the States alone, because of cancer. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. behind heart disease. I maybe emotional for personal reasons, but the cancer issue in this country should make everyone emotional.

RIP Pinkerton!

My old friend's dalmation passed away this past Friday. I loved that dog!!!




Above: Pink the dalmation with my old dog Camden in 2001.

Training update

I haven't written that much over the last week or so, but I have been training. I took Thursday and Friday off last week because I did more hill sprints on Wednesday evening at Hermann Park. Saturday I didn't ride and went to do a leg workout instead. Squats and other blissful leg exercises prevented me from walking normal on Sunday morning! hahahahaha In fact, I wasn't walking normal on Monday morning either. Oh well... here's what was done and what is planned for this week: Monday, spin class with the bulldog... (only 45 minutes, had to leave early to meet people out for dinner); Tuesday, another lifting day, back and shoulders this time, with other core strengthening exercises mixed in there. Tonight we are headed to the Park again for cardio and sprints. Thursday I think I'll do another light lifting day, and maybe run on the treadmill. Friday... no way... I'm off on Friday nights. Well... maybe I'll swim a few hundred yards at the pool, but nothing too exciting. That's all for now... I don't want to think about this weekend too much because I have too many things to do that involve eating and drinking. Memorial day weekend after all... might as well enjoy as much as I can. Bye for now... quick reminder... DONATE DONATE DONATE... I'm putting myself through all this for a good cause!

Making your voice heard!!

The LAF sends out frequent emails regarding getting involved with the local Texas government. The organization as a whole keeps in front of our policy makers nationwide to make them aware of how important it is to find ways to treat and prevent cancer, and to enhance the lives of those living with cancer. I got an email today that reminded me that I should start posting these emails... I'm going to try and do my part in spreading the word... I have tried to include the links that will take you to the form letters to send to the local Texas delegates. If you would like to get the regular emails from the LAF, then you can just go to the website and sign up. www.livestrong.org


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We've come too far to stop now!


Dear Andrea :


Last week, advocates just like you flooded the Texas Senate with emails and demanded change in the way our state deals with cancer. I'm proud to say that they heard you, and the bills passed out of the Senate Finance Committee Friday night with a unanimous vote! Thank you for your help, but we're not done yet. I need you to do it again. Please send one last message to your State Senator to make sure the Senate passes this bill with equal support this week.

This critical legislation will allow Texas to invest three billion dollars over the next ten years for cutting edge cancer research and programs. The bills are now on their way to the floor of the Senate and you have one more opportunity to tell your elected officials how you feel about this legislation. Most importantly, share your story with them; tell them why investing in cancer prevention and research means so much to you. Send a message to your State Senator TODAY.

I was at the Senate Finance Committee meeting late Friday night to testify to make sure that the voices of survivors were heard. You can find a link to my testimony at the May 19 Senate Finance Committee here. (The committee meeting was an hour and a half, if you fast forward to 40 minutes you'll see my testimony)

I talked about how we're not doing enough to battle cancer, we've come a long way, but we're not there yet. The system is broken, and we have a unique opportunity to fix it here in our own state. We have a chance to make Texas a global leader in fighting cancer.

I really feel that the fight against cancer is at a tipping point in Texas. The first step is to get this passed out of the Senate and signed by the Governor. Then we have to make our case to the people of Texas. I'm in this for the long haul, I'm ready for the fight and I hope you'll join me. If you haven't yet, send a message to your State Senator.

LIVESTRONG,

Lance Armstrong
LIVESTRONG Army


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Training update and other bits....

I have had two great evenings of workouts the past couple of days. Also, I have had many people comment to me more and more about the blog itself. So, I thought I would elaborate on both.

First the comments...

I have to say, I have been getting some very positive feedback from those of you who have actually bothered to comment. Thank you thank you thank you. It’s nice to know that my comments and the method by which I’m delivering them are well received. I have by one person been asked for more pictures. To be honest, I’m not quite sure why... but I will do my best to accommodate. I hope that all those who are reading this consistently will help support my effort to raise the $10k. So don’t forget ... donate, donate, donate..... :)

Alright now for the rest, the exercise update. Monday, spin class with Ashley. I have to say that was one of the best spin classes she has come out with. The music was great and the workout itself was an ass kicker! In fact, I think she kicked her own butt because she was breathing just as hard as the rest of us. I maintained average heart rate of 154bpm over 56 minutes, and burned approximately 560 calories. I love those classes... its hard to beat the amount of work you put out in such a short period of time. There’s no bullshit, you get straight to the point! Tuesday was a lifting day. I warmed up with 10 minutes on the elliptical machine, and then did back, shoulders, and biceps. I’m well on my way to being able to do a pull ups without the assistance of the ‘gravitron’. I think if I lost more weight it would help tremendously as well, but that will come in time. My cool down was an easy 5 minute walk on the treadmill.

If you have ever seen the movie Legally Blonde there’s a scene in there where Reese Witherspoon’s character is describing how exercise makes you happy. I love that scene; she says something along the lines of how exercise releases endorphins that make you happy. Amen sister! I always feel good and happy and surprisingly more awake after a good workout. It’s one of the best methods of mental therapy known to man. If only more people would be open to the idea of more exercise.