Friday, August 13, 2010

A Beginning and an End

One more day till we kick off the National Relay out of Halifax. Seems hard to believe six months has gone by this quickly.

We started today off with a great ride along the south shore with some of the crew and other riders from the relay team. Then everyone was off to get ready, for me back to work to finnish off a few things, while the rest of the team was off to finnish getting the RVs ready and food bought etc.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Three Weeks and Counting


After all these months of training, countless spin classes, hours and hours on the stationary bike and some time riding the roads it is coming down to less than three weeks. There have been some great events along the way including one last Friday on the Waterfront here in Halifax.
We setup a great display including a Tandem bike and lots for info about Cyclebetes, the national relay as well as JDRF. Thanks to Andrew for bringing the sun covers as well as the tandem bike.
We were joined by members of the local JDRF crew that came out and helped support the relay and promote the community ride set for the 14th of Aug as the relay team gets set to leave Halifax.
We road for about 7 hours with only some short break for food and water. Talked tons of really great folks out walking the board walk downtown, both tourists and locals. We met this one lady from the cruise ship that was in town that was diagnosed with Type I at the age of 54! She came right up to us and showed us here pump, and made sure she donated to the ride.
I really can't wait to meet the rest of the members of the Maritime's team as well as all the great support team we have been working with from across the country. There are just so many amazing people involved with the organization, and everyone of them willing to do what it takes to not only make this a great event, but to raise the money needed to find that cure we all so desperately want. One thing I know is that once the cure for juvenile diabetes if found, all this great dedication and energy will move to the next need. "Type I Diabetes....Done" whats next "Type II....bring it on"
I will attempt to update this more often over the next week or so....
Stephen
Great ride last night, anyone looking for a great loop ride check out http://www.aspotoganpeninsula.com/ some of the best views you will find anywhere in Nova Scotia.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Five Weeks till National Relay Kick off

I can hardly believe that the time has goon this fast. Seems to me that when I first joined the team, the start date seemed so far away. I kept saying to myself, "I've got months to get ready" well those "months" have turned into weeks. Physically I am feeling pretty good. I have had a few good long rides outside, both at the cottage and around home. Still getting used to the feeling of being in traffic, but that is starting to away the more I ride.

Still doing lots of indoor training at my local Goodlife, works well when I have to travel as well as they are everywhere, been kicking some great Spin classes lately, they have some great instructors. Some of the speed work came in handy last weekend, when I was able to find that other gear and get away from a couple of dogs.

Stephen

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Fix You

What an interesting idea...Fix You. No more needles. No more finger pokes for blood tests. No more hospital trips. No more midnight tests. No worries of the longer term health issues. Diabetes Fixed!

I guess this is the dream of every parent, family member or friend of a person living with diabetes. This is what drives us to ask our friends for money to support research, to get involved to raise awareness of what it means to live with diabetes. I guess over the last 18 months all the things that need to be done to keep my daughter healthy, have become so natural in our lives, that when we tell friends, or other people we come in contact with that having diabetes means, a least a 120 injections of insulin a month, 200 finger pokes in order to test her blood sugar, midnight tests, 3:00 am tests they are very surprised. I think a lot of folks they know that insulin is what you take for diabetes so you take a shot and your good. Its not a cure its our life line.

I have just returned from having had the privilege of attending the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Annual General Meeting. Where I met some of the most amazing people, other parents, JDRF employees and researchers, all of whom are so dedicated to the promise of the promise of curing Type I diabetes, what a humbling experience. I encourage you to check out the JDRF website and learn about some of the incredible research work being done in Canada and around the world. www.jdrf.ca

On the theme of Fix You check out the video produced during last years Cyclebetes National Relay, its what sealed the deal for me to get involved and join the ride this year. http://www.vimeo.com/6552324. If it inspires you please donate to http://jdrfca.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&eventID=777&participantID=44593

P.s. What a great Fathers Day. Recieved my home made gold award, a nice long training ride on the new bike this morning, then took both girls out to a local trail for a little family ride then back home for great dinner.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Cyclebetes at Halifax Telus Walk to Cure Diabetes


What a great Sunday at the Telus walk to cure diabetes this past Sunday June 13th in Halifax. My daughters team "Team Megan" raised a little over $1,100.00 dollars, contributing to the Halifax total of more than $103,000.00. A number of our friends and family were able to join us for the walk.
The Maritime Relay Team setup an information both during the event to promote the Halifax Community ride we are organizing for morning of the start of the National Relay. We setup a couple of bike trainers and spent a little time spinning prior to and after the walk.
The Morning of the Aug 14th we are planning a great kick off at Black Rock Beach in Halifax including a kids bike obstacle coarse, a 5 and 10 km family ride as well as a 100km ride with the team to Truro.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Friday Rant

Well as any of you that know me know that I am not a political guy, and have always had at least the belief that people elected to run this country were doing it for the most part for the better good. That being said, as a father with a child with a serious health concern (Type I diabetes) I am outraged that the Canadian Government is spending $1,000,000,000 tax payer dollars in order to provide security for the G8/G20 later this month in Ontario, while the country is experiencing health care shortages, funding cuts and forcing hospitals and other service organizations to fund raise money for basic services.

What would $1,000,000,000 dollars to to help cure Juvenile diabetes or at the very least provide essential blood testing/monitoring tools to help manage the long term life with diabetes? How about buying 100,000 insulin pumps, for the children, adults living with Type I diabetes that do not have sufficient medical insurance....that's a start. I somehow see this as a better long term use of money that building a 12 foot fence around a whole of wilderness north of Toronto, or a fake lake. Not only would this provide a better short term treatment, but would continue to save money, as with better treatment and control Diabetics will have far fewer health issues that would lead to even more strain on our health care budgets.

Monday, March 29, 2010

A Promise

I have been thinking about what a promise means, and all the promises I have made and continue to make everyday. From the first I held my daughters there have been thousands of promises made: to teach, to learn, to be there for them and to protect them.

I, like most people, make promises everyday. Most I keep, some I don't and some I can't keep no matter how much I wish I could. Like most fathers, to protect your children is what you do instinctively, then something comes along that no matter how strong you are, no matter how much money you have, no matter how hard you try, you just can't stop from happening; in my case, diabetes was that thing. Since the day I found out my daughter had type I diabetes, I have tried to put a face on this disease; some way to make it something you can fight against. Once you know what you are fighting you can call it out, like in the movies; "Hey you! Yes you! What are you trying to do, hurt MY daughter? Come out here and fight me like a Man." Unfortunately, diabetes is just too sneaky for that. It just kind of slips in, knocks off the pancreas, then sneaks away before you can do anything about it - kind of the worst kind of bully or thief.

There is another meaning to the word Promise, and that is hope. The promise of tomorrow, of Christmas morning, of the future, and that is the promise that I have to try and keep. For me Hope is the meaning I read into the cyclebetes motto of "delivering on a promise." So yes, I promise to do everything I can to help find a cure for diabetes. I don't have the skills to do the research, the lab work or the million other tasks needed to have that "EUREKA!" moment when they can say "We have found a cure!", but what I can do is try and support those people that do have the skill and knowledge to make that happen.

So if that mean spending hours selling raffle tickets, asking for support (money), riding a bike, or pretty much anything else, then count me in! If it will raise the funds needed to keep those researchers working a little longer, or buy that new equipment, or whatever else they need to have that will make that "EUREKA" moment happen, then that is my Promise, my hope, my dream.

Please use this link to donate to Cyclebetes http://jdrfca.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&eventID=777&participantID=44593

Training

Is going well. Still spending lots of time at the gym, spin classes, stationary bike, weightroom and when I can get there Karate. Looking forward to getting outside, soon I hope.

Take care all.

Stephen

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Great Video

This is great video that talks about the beginings of the Cyclebetes movement.

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=5382667&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1

I am planning to spend a little time and post some new stuff, just need to find that time thing....

Monday, February 22, 2010

Feb 21st Update

Well it has been a couple of weeks since I updated this blog, no good reason other than not a lot of news, but I thought I should get something down.

Training

Has been going really well (knock, knock) putting in lots of hours at Nubodys in Dartmouth and Good Life clubs while I have been out of town on business. Typical week looks something like;

Mon/Wed/Fri

40 min of aerobic (cycle, elliptical trainer) then three sets on the resistance training circuit machines.

Tues/Thurs/Sat or Sun

90-100 min of aerobic, mix of cycle and elliptical trainer

Sat or Sun

Rest (oh yeah)

Once the weather gets better I will be hitting the road and logging some longer mileage. Really am going to have to look at getting a good road bike, don't think my hybrid is going to cut the distance.

Kicked off the first raffle on the weekend. Thanks to the folks at Bayers Lake WalMart for letting us set up at the exit. Great start, we sold almost $200.00 worth of tickets. Thanks to everyone that took the time (and money) to enter. Also had a chance to talk to some great folks and give them some background on the Cyclebetes relay.

Well that's it for now; I will try and get some photos up over the next week.

Steve

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation News and Updates

There are some very exciting projects the JDRF has been involved in leading to improved treatment techniques and insulin delivery. One of the most promising the "Artificial Pancreas" development, http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=2458B97B-1279-CFD5-A70D0580F67A16A9 which is a joint project between the JDRF and Animas Corporation.

About the Artificial Pancreas Project

JDRF's artificial pancreas project stands on the cusp of a breakthrough that represents the first step toward dramatically improving the lives of millions of people with type 1 diabetes: an artificial pancreas, an automated system to disperse insulin based on real-time changes in blood sugar levels.... Full detail about the project can be found at: http://www.artificialpancreasproject.com/

To Learn more about the inspiration for the Cyclebetes National Relay team, you can read all about the original Team H2V 2007, historic and record breaking coast to coast ride at: http://www.teamh2v.com/index.php?content=overview.

Personally:

Training: Indoor training is going well so far, current focus is on slowing increasing my cardio endurance level, partly by teaching myself to go a little slower but for a longer period, boring but thank goodness for the "Cardio Theater" never been more up to date in the news, sports or the View:) Doing 2 to 3 sessions a week of circuit strength building as well, just to stabilize the joints and be prepared for some of those Nova Scotia and New Brunswick hills.

We continue to gather some prizes for the first raffle that should be getting going in the next couple of weeks. (I know I said that last week...). Thanks to my gym Burnside Nubody's http://www.nubodysfitness.com/ for the donation of a three month membership, which will be included as part of the prize package.

Any comments or suggestions for or about the blog please feel free to send them through. If you have questions I will answer as I can.

All the best

Stephen

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Event Planning and Training

Still in the very early stages of planning both my fund raising events as well as putting together a bit of training plan for myself.

I want to thank Pictou Lodge Beachfront Resort http://www.pictoulodge.com located in Pictou Nova Scotia for their donation of a nights accommodation and meal valued at $250.00. This certificate will be part of the prize package that we will be selling tickets on starting hopefully in the next couple of weeks.

As far as the training plan, the next few months will be focused on building my aerobic endurance combined with some basic strength training, in order to prepare for the spring summer outdoor road work. My buddy has promised to put me through what he described as the "hurt locker" on some long rides over the spring and summer. Not really sure what that means but pretty sure it is going to hurt! Better pick up some of those bike shorts with the padded butt.

Friday, January 22, 2010

JDRF Cyclebetes Maritime Team

The Maritime Provincial Team for the JDRF Cyclebetes Relay has now been selected. You can meet the team at http://www.cyclebetes.com//follow/follow.php?pageID=77.

This is my first time participating in this type of event. I am really excited about participating and feel this is one concrete way for me contribute to helping find a cure not only for my daughter, but for others that also live with Type I diabetes everyday. If you can, please donate on-line at http://jdrfca.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&eventID=777&participantID=44593

I hope to keep everyone updated as to my progress over the next few months while I train for the event as well as fund raise along the way. The plan is to use this blog to report updates and share some stories that hopefully will be interesting and know me most likely funny.

As I move forward I will be tapping into some great resources for advice and support. One of those is Jim Currie. Jim has been involved in a couple of very long distance cycle relays (last years was from British Colombia to Austin Texas) to raise funds for Cancer. Checkout http://www.givetolive.ca/

OK that's it for now.

Steve