I JUST WANT THE TATTOO

thanks to all for your kind words and thoughts after my last post. the funeral service really took the wind outta my sails. i went home, wrote my post and then slept for 4 hours. not really what you'd call a nap but rather a "time out." i just couldn't deal. while nobody in my immediate circle is afflicted with cancer, it seems to be all around me in other ways, hitting relatives of friends of mine. i'm just done with it. makes you wanna just go hide someplace where cancer can't get to you, and unfortunately that paradise doesn't exist.

YET.

but saturday was just the turn i needed. Rainmaker made a great suggestion to just go out for an easy ride or run to clear my mind, not even focus on training or time or pace. even better, i decided it was most appropriate to put a spin on this "C word." so i got up early to make it to the Venice Pier to lend my lens to the beginning of one man's amazing journey to show his thanks in his fight against Children's Cancer...

Lamar and Nick, 7am, Venice Pier
meet Lamar Sepulveda and his son Nick. to celebrate his 50th birthday last year, he ran 50 miles. at his birthday party later that evening, he announced his next challenge. he wanted to thank the Children's Hospital of Orange County for saving Nick's life 25 years ago from leukemia and further raise awareness of Children's Cancer and inspire us all to get up and take the challenge for whatever charity we see fit. so this past Saturday, he set off ...

a 3.2 mile swim from Venice Pier to Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles County.

about a 30 minute t1 and then he set off for the first leg of a 3 day cycling trip covering roughly 373 miles that ended Monday in Litchfield, Arizona.

yesterday, he left Litchfield and began running a double marathon, 56.4 miles. he'll run the last half marathon this morning ending in Tempe, Arizona. i know what you may be thinking right about now:

"hmmmmmm. Tempe Arizona? isn't that where Ironman is happening this Sunday?"

um, yeah. after 3 days of rest, Lamar will complete his final leg of the journey by becoming and Ironman for the 4th time. and i'm soooooo psyched i'm gonna get to go watch him and everyone else in action at IMAZ #1!!!!

569.2 MILES

oh, and if that's not enough for ya, Lamar's going for Ironman #5 at IM Louisville later this year in August!!!

so if you're at all inspired by this, you can go to his website and read more about his story and hopefully donate some loot. be sure to designate any donations for Pay It Forward Challenge. at the very least, maybe you'll be inspired to take on your own challenge in the name of a charity that's important to you. doesn't have to be an Ironman, maybe just a 5k, maybe a creative fundraiser that's not even sporty at all.

WE CAN AND WE DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.