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

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....

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

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

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.

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