Sunday, February 17, 2008

Myrtle Beach Marathon


You win some. You lose some. Today my glass is not half-full; it is overflowing!

To come in last place of the wheelchair and crank chair marathoners is a BIG win for me. How do you call a last-place finish a win?

It means I had the honor of rolling off the starting line with some world-class athletes.

It means I finished 400th in a field of 1700 able-bodied competitors.

It means I finished.

It means I finished a marathon!

It means I finished a marathon in 3 hours and 51 minutes.

It means I finished a marathon before many of my friends were out of bed.

It means a personal record for me for a marathon and a half-marathon split (1:48).

It’s a lot like living with a disability. You push yourself. You succeed. You fail. You push yourself farther. And ultimately you succeed with the support and encouragement of friends, family, and many total strangers. The first place winner, the person who finished after eight hours, 1700 other marathoners, and I all had one thing in common. We crossed that finish line because thousands of other people were there to support us.

My race is dedicated to the fallen heroes of the Global War on Terror. Help me bring hope to wounded warriors with the knowledge that a grateful America is there to support them on their race to recovery.

Please donate to my fundraising campaign to support wounded warriors, 2008 Miles of Hope. All the money I raise goes to Hope for The Warriors. This phenomenal organization provides Warrior Wishes, Direct Needs Grants, and Spouses’ Scholarships. Now they have embarked on the creation of a Hope and Care Center, a rehabilitation and wellness facility for wounded warriors.

You can easily make a donation to Hope For The Warriors by using my secure credit card donation site:

http://www.active.com/donate/2008Miles

Or donate by check. Download our donation form, fill it out, and send it to me with your donation to my address on the form:

Donation form.pdf

The official results:

http://www.rmssports.com/results/08mb.txt

Monday, February 4, 2008

Chill Factor 17

Did I mention we are serious?


That's ice, not snow, on the salt marsh the morning of one recent chilly ride.



But then to put it in perspective, one wounded warrior told me, "Any day is a good day when no one is shooting at me."

This is America. We can go out and ride on a freezing morning if we want to. Or stay indoors where it is warm.

Only because we have brave men and women who are willing to go stand in harm's way to protect our liberty. And for that I am grateful. And a little cold seems like a minor inconvenience. Join me in my campaign to help America's heroes, our wounded warriors and their families. Donate today.

You can easily make a donation to Hope For The Warriors by using our secure credit card donation site:

http://www.active.com/donate/2008Miles

Or donate by check. Download our donation form, fill it out, and send it to us with your donation to our address on the form:

Donation form.pdf

And learn about where the money goes:

Hope For The Warriors

It's only a minor inconvenience for those who have sacrificed so much.