I did 20 miles in 1 hour and 1 minute--my time is getting fast--which of course is a good thing.
I landed a radio interview of the ride which will be September 5th in Cincinnati. The bike is holding up pretty well, it is a 10 year old Raleigh bike--which was given to us, for I have never owned a bike till I took up this challenge. I am going for 30 miles today after I put in a new kitchen sink, for we are supposed to be getting a ton of rain up here in Indiana this weekend.
After labor day weekend is over it is off to the races, I am up too 842 miles--I am hoping when September is over I will have 2000 miles under my belt in 90 days, which I feel would be a good start for a 1033 mile bike ride--does anyone have anything they think would help me out on first cross country ride?--I would love too hear.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Day 10 August 29th
It is hard too believe that the ride is in 50 days --October 20th. My dad's Birthday.
Today I headed out at 0805 and went until 1345 I was able too do 76 miles--but the bad thing was today I felt pretty tired compared to day's past--my allergies are acting up now that I am in thick of training for the ride--oh, well. It could be worst--I could have a cold.
It is fun riding out there, my first 30 I had my earplugs in and listening too music--then it said low battery, so for the next 20 miles I had nothing to listen too. So i started looking at all the scenery more in depth--a ton of stuff that I would just fly by with out even noticing--sure looks very beautiful when I was passing. Farms, old barns, cows. pigs, horses etc... I live 15 minutes north of Indianapolis and in my community I don't see too many farm animals, but 10 miles north and the country side begins too take shape. I love it, i love where I live be downtown in 15, or on a farm in 10 minutes--pretty cool place too raise a family.
I got a little sunburn today, I keep forgetting too spray early in the morning, then by afternoon my arms are as red as apples--you think my skin would be used to it by now.
My right knee and now my left knee are hurting when I un-clip from the shoes--I am just not used too the motion and I figured it out that you can un-clip by turning the foot to the right or the left--my right knee kept hurting because I was hitting the frame of the bike when I was un-clipping.
I will be posting more information on my charities here soon up on twitter, Facebook, blog and email--
MY goal is 100,000 dollars--but my big goal is too spread the word of programs that are ready to help.
Please check out my website--http://jimserger.com/
Till tomorrow--keep on reading books, it will change your life--mine did.
Today I headed out at 0805 and went until 1345 I was able too do 76 miles--but the bad thing was today I felt pretty tired compared to day's past--my allergies are acting up now that I am in thick of training for the ride--oh, well. It could be worst--I could have a cold.
It is fun riding out there, my first 30 I had my earplugs in and listening too music--then it said low battery, so for the next 20 miles I had nothing to listen too. So i started looking at all the scenery more in depth--a ton of stuff that I would just fly by with out even noticing--sure looks very beautiful when I was passing. Farms, old barns, cows. pigs, horses etc... I live 15 minutes north of Indianapolis and in my community I don't see too many farm animals, but 10 miles north and the country side begins too take shape. I love it, i love where I live be downtown in 15, or on a farm in 10 minutes--pretty cool place too raise a family.
I got a little sunburn today, I keep forgetting too spray early in the morning, then by afternoon my arms are as red as apples--you think my skin would be used to it by now.
My right knee and now my left knee are hurting when I un-clip from the shoes--I am just not used too the motion and I figured it out that you can un-clip by turning the foot to the right or the left--my right knee kept hurting because I was hitting the frame of the bike when I was un-clipping.
I will be posting more information on my charities here soon up on twitter, Facebook, blog and email--
MY goal is 100,000 dollars--but my big goal is too spread the word of programs that are ready to help.
Please check out my website--http://jimserger.com/
Till tomorrow--keep on reading books, it will change your life--mine did.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Day 8 and 9--commitment
On Monday as usual it was back to work and it was back to biking. Monday I went for the first time on the path that is the short run, it is a 17 mile loop from my house--went I got to mile 10 the road was blocked and I was taken on a different route. Adding on another 3 miles--my goal on Monday was to do 17 miles in under an hour--if I did it it would be my best time, well with the 3 miles added on I had too push harder. When I go back it was 1 hour and 5 minutes. So I did beat my best time and it was 19.04 miles per hour.
Now I am not a thin man at all 5'10 and 240 pounds, but I must say I felt very very good about my time.
With this, this is where commitment comes into play--I am in this to the finish line. I went from 4 miles on June 19th to my first century ride on August 1st to my best time over a 20 mile stretch. I am a firm believer in that when we commit ourselves to doing right, finishing a project, getting sober, battling cancer, asking for help, raising our hand for guidance. That all dreams, hopes do come too fruition.
I read the book Extreme Dreams Depend on Teams--in that book the author describes that everything we do, takes help from others in order for our dreams to come alive. I have been to the Bike shop next to my house now over 15 times since taking on this project; gloves, helmet, drinks, knowledge, advice, help, and even bike work. I could have never been this far with out them, and that is what transpired with my dad at the Prospect House--they guided him and 6,200 other men on a road to sobriety, to a road that leads them to love, family, and a household.
I have read 156 book in 30 months--but that takes commitment and today my daughter wanted to go and see her friends down the street--well she had to read for 15 minutes, which lead to her reading for 40 minutes and she read the whole book--commitment, she wanted it bad enough and the reward was one book finished and playing with her friends.
The four groups I am riding for know what commitment is, they share with others through their vast knowledge, research and understanding of the material they provide--they all are a worthy cause that has impacted my life and has shown me through myself, my family and our future what they have too offer and it works.
I took the day off today--going for 100 miles in under 6.5 hours Wednesday. Last time it took me 8.45 to finish.
Last thing--commitment is just not for those struggling, it is for all of us to grow daily and strengthen our personal best into even better each and every day.
http://jimserger.com/1033/
Now I am not a thin man at all 5'10 and 240 pounds, but I must say I felt very very good about my time.
With this, this is where commitment comes into play--I am in this to the finish line. I went from 4 miles on June 19th to my first century ride on August 1st to my best time over a 20 mile stretch. I am a firm believer in that when we commit ourselves to doing right, finishing a project, getting sober, battling cancer, asking for help, raising our hand for guidance. That all dreams, hopes do come too fruition.
I read the book Extreme Dreams Depend on Teams--in that book the author describes that everything we do, takes help from others in order for our dreams to come alive. I have been to the Bike shop next to my house now over 15 times since taking on this project; gloves, helmet, drinks, knowledge, advice, help, and even bike work. I could have never been this far with out them, and that is what transpired with my dad at the Prospect House--they guided him and 6,200 other men on a road to sobriety, to a road that leads them to love, family, and a household.
I have read 156 book in 30 months--but that takes commitment and today my daughter wanted to go and see her friends down the street--well she had to read for 15 minutes, which lead to her reading for 40 minutes and she read the whole book--commitment, she wanted it bad enough and the reward was one book finished and playing with her friends.
The four groups I am riding for know what commitment is, they share with others through their vast knowledge, research and understanding of the material they provide--they all are a worthy cause that has impacted my life and has shown me through myself, my family and our future what they have too offer and it works.
I took the day off today--going for 100 miles in under 6.5 hours Wednesday. Last time it took me 8.45 to finish.
Last thing--commitment is just not for those struggling, it is for all of us to grow daily and strengthen our personal best into even better each and every day.
http://jimserger.com/1033/
Monday, August 27, 2012
Days 6 and 7---
Well I took the weekend off--Someone very special in my life had a Birthday and I felt it was best to be with her--my wife of 12 years Tarla. she is a very special, kind loving and understanding women. She works with me and is a pre-school teacher. We had a great weekend together, and back to the grind I am going this week. Sometimes it is just nice too take the weekend off and relax and enjoy the people we love and enjoy being around--even though i see her everyday, and I am sure i get on her nervous a few, I love her with everything I have and I am proud to be her husband. We have been through a lot in the 12 years we have been together, some of the worst things any family could ask for, but got through it as a team, and with teamwork and love we got through it. 1033 miles to Orlando Florida -- that just plain sounds like a ton of fun, and I am glad my wife is behind me 99.9% .1% she worries--who cant blame her--When I get back to Indiana I will have a can of sunshine for her--always thought those were funny to bring back from Florida--well until next time--hug the one your wife and read with your kids, if not read for yourself--it WILL change your life, for this is living proof.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Day 5
http://www.themmrf.org/
Cancer---just the word alone bring chills to so many people, including me.
Cancer--it effects only other people, it will never affect me. That is what I use too think until I go older and more educated on the topic.
My first glimpse of cancer was in 1981 when my dad's mom passed away due too Breast Cancer, I was just 10 years old and my dad was just 31--Cancer at that time was just something we did not talk about, we did not share--we just swept it under the table as if we had the common cold,. She was a fun, loving charismatic person that I can remember. She was at all of baseball games, soccer, birthday parties. Even while she was in the early stages of the disease she still came out too family functions, she was giving her all to her son and his family.
In 2008 my dad was told by his doctor that he had a tumor in his bladder--which was told to our family that it was Bladder Cancer. Bladder Cancer affects primarily people over the age of 55, and in 2012 there will be over 73,000 new cases. Today four years later, my dad is doing fine since having the tumor removed.
In 2010 I met a gentleman who challenged me like so many too better ourselves through reading, but it was not only reading that changed me--but it was what I was reading that changed me. This person taught me through his work that there is so much more to life than just sitting around and waiting for things to happen. In all of his books he talks about positive attitude, vision, communication, leadership, accountability, ownership servant hood and of course the benefit of reading the Bible and understanding it. It talks about everything that life has too offer--the good times and how too handle them, and the bad times and how too handle them.
This mans name is Pat Williams--SR VP of the Orlando Magic. Author of over 65 books, runner of over 50 marathons, father to 19 children, co-founder of the Orlando Magic. This man has had too balance his life for the last 50 years in order too achieve what he has done--
In January of 2011 Pat was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma Cancer--which is cancer of the blood. It is disease that 60,000 people in the United States have and in 2012-- 12,000 new cases will surface. This Cancer is at this time is incurable. Pat took on the challenge of Mission Remission- and 20 months later after aggressive chemo therapy Pat's battle was successful in that it is in remission. Pat is a fighter, "go get er", never one to back down from a challenge in life, or in sports--Pat has used his situation to help others get help with Multiple Myeloma, and has also helped the research foundation on their mission of educating others on this disease.
Pat has guided, taught and lead so many people since he graduated from high school in Delaware--and he is to this day giving back to his family, work, personal life, friends, co-workers, community that I decided it was in my best interest to challenge myself to ride my bike down to Orlando, Florida to shake this man's hand and tell him thank you. I met this man in Cincinnati where he was the guest speaker--and I shook his hand on his way out and told him what a great motivational speech he delivered--Pat is a teacher not a speaker--for he never spoke down or through me--he spoke too me as if he were teaching me and that is what I want to give back--I want to teach others on this disease, this Cancer--I want others too know that we can get it into remission, because my friend Pat did it, and he did to the best of his ability--no more and no less, he gave it 100% and today he is in remission.
1033 miles from my house in Carmel, Indiana to Orlando, Florida--sounds like a big task, and it is. But, having cancer and putting it in remission is even a bigger task, one that is dealt with every single day by him and others--so with that 25% of all money raised through my account will be given too MMRF in Pat's name--too carry on his motto "MISSION REMISSION" so that others will have a successful future as Pat has.
Friday, I rode 30 miles as fast and as hard as I could--2 hours and 6 minutes, that is a new record for me--since starting this benefit on June 19th I have now logged 732 miles--
“The people who turn out best are those people who make the best out of the way things turn out.”
― John Wooden
For more information and donations please visit the following site-
http://jimserger.com/1033/
Cancer---just the word alone bring chills to so many people, including me.
Cancer--it effects only other people, it will never affect me. That is what I use too think until I go older and more educated on the topic.
My first glimpse of cancer was in 1981 when my dad's mom passed away due too Breast Cancer, I was just 10 years old and my dad was just 31--Cancer at that time was just something we did not talk about, we did not share--we just swept it under the table as if we had the common cold,. She was a fun, loving charismatic person that I can remember. She was at all of baseball games, soccer, birthday parties. Even while she was in the early stages of the disease she still came out too family functions, she was giving her all to her son and his family.
In 2008 my dad was told by his doctor that he had a tumor in his bladder--which was told to our family that it was Bladder Cancer. Bladder Cancer affects primarily people over the age of 55, and in 2012 there will be over 73,000 new cases. Today four years later, my dad is doing fine since having the tumor removed.
In 2010 I met a gentleman who challenged me like so many too better ourselves through reading, but it was not only reading that changed me--but it was what I was reading that changed me. This person taught me through his work that there is so much more to life than just sitting around and waiting for things to happen. In all of his books he talks about positive attitude, vision, communication, leadership, accountability, ownership servant hood and of course the benefit of reading the Bible and understanding it. It talks about everything that life has too offer--the good times and how too handle them, and the bad times and how too handle them.
This mans name is Pat Williams--SR VP of the Orlando Magic. Author of over 65 books, runner of over 50 marathons, father to 19 children, co-founder of the Orlando Magic. This man has had too balance his life for the last 50 years in order too achieve what he has done--
In January of 2011 Pat was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma Cancer--which is cancer of the blood. It is disease that 60,000 people in the United States have and in 2012-- 12,000 new cases will surface. This Cancer is at this time is incurable. Pat took on the challenge of Mission Remission- and 20 months later after aggressive chemo therapy Pat's battle was successful in that it is in remission. Pat is a fighter, "go get er", never one to back down from a challenge in life, or in sports--Pat has used his situation to help others get help with Multiple Myeloma, and has also helped the research foundation on their mission of educating others on this disease.
Pat has guided, taught and lead so many people since he graduated from high school in Delaware--and he is to this day giving back to his family, work, personal life, friends, co-workers, community that I decided it was in my best interest to challenge myself to ride my bike down to Orlando, Florida to shake this man's hand and tell him thank you. I met this man in Cincinnati where he was the guest speaker--and I shook his hand on his way out and told him what a great motivational speech he delivered--Pat is a teacher not a speaker--for he never spoke down or through me--he spoke too me as if he were teaching me and that is what I want to give back--I want to teach others on this disease, this Cancer--I want others too know that we can get it into remission, because my friend Pat did it, and he did to the best of his ability--no more and no less, he gave it 100% and today he is in remission.
1033 miles from my house in Carmel, Indiana to Orlando, Florida--sounds like a big task, and it is. But, having cancer and putting it in remission is even a bigger task, one that is dealt with every single day by him and others--so with that 25% of all money raised through my account will be given too MMRF in Pat's name--too carry on his motto "MISSION REMISSION" so that others will have a successful future as Pat has.
Friday, I rode 30 miles as fast and as hard as I could--2 hours and 6 minutes, that is a new record for me--since starting this benefit on June 19th I have now logged 732 miles--
“The people who turn out best are those people who make the best out of the way things turn out.”
― John Wooden
For more information and donations please visit the following site-
http://jimserger.com/1033/
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Day 4
http://www.prospect-house.org/
Day 4 is about one of the beneficiaries of the ride--one that hit home to me personally, that is the Prospect House, located in Cincinnati, Ohio.
This house is what "saved "my dad--as they say it.
In 2000 my dad was admitted to this house for he needed to come full circle on his addiction to alcohol--he had to face his life head on and be admitted to a program that has a 68% percent success rate--a program that has been offered to 6,200 men over the last 38 years.
This house is not easy, and it is not intended too be--but it is a house full of men that have the same goal--come clean, and come clean my dad did.
He spent 18 months at this house, the house that re-united him with my family. A house among brothers who root and cheer each other on, a house that you feel welcomed at, a house you can feel loved at and a house that is not afraid to say you have done something wrong when you step out of line and don't follow the rules.
This house provided what my dad needed and that is structure, time management, accountability, ownership, and learning to live like a human being--this is the path I wanted so bad for my dad for a long time and this house delivered exactly what it said it would--but, it also took my dad to step and be willing too listen, grasp and hold on to all the knowledge and leadership they were teaching him.
That was 12 years ago, and I am proud that to this day he is alcohol free to the best of my knowledge--he is back in our family and there is not a day that doesn't go by that I have talked to him over the last years. He is my buddy, my friend, my dad, a grandpa and a husband and a brother because of this house and it is my honor to give them a little back.
There are many houses like this one across the united States--houses that are there to provide the care, shelter, medical and dental needs of men with addiction problems. They are there, because people are willing and care enough to help others that are in need.
Please click on the link above and check out what this house can do, and has done--the Prospect House, thank you for saving my dad, and saving 6,200 other dad's, son's, brother's and friend's. YOU are so needed and thanked in so many ways.
25% of all donations will go directly to the Prospect House so that another son's and daughter's one day can have a sober dad, brother and have someone he is proud of. For, this will continue for a long time if we all can help.
For donations and other information please visit http://jimserger.com/1033/
I took the day off today from training--but up and at them tomorrow, trying to see how fast I can do 30 miles.
Don't forget to say I love you and give a hug today--it can go a long way, trust me.
Day 4 is about one of the beneficiaries of the ride--one that hit home to me personally, that is the Prospect House, located in Cincinnati, Ohio.
This house is what "saved "my dad--as they say it.
In 2000 my dad was admitted to this house for he needed to come full circle on his addiction to alcohol--he had to face his life head on and be admitted to a program that has a 68% percent success rate--a program that has been offered to 6,200 men over the last 38 years.
This house is not easy, and it is not intended too be--but it is a house full of men that have the same goal--come clean, and come clean my dad did.
He spent 18 months at this house, the house that re-united him with my family. A house among brothers who root and cheer each other on, a house that you feel welcomed at, a house you can feel loved at and a house that is not afraid to say you have done something wrong when you step out of line and don't follow the rules.
This house provided what my dad needed and that is structure, time management, accountability, ownership, and learning to live like a human being--this is the path I wanted so bad for my dad for a long time and this house delivered exactly what it said it would--but, it also took my dad to step and be willing too listen, grasp and hold on to all the knowledge and leadership they were teaching him.
That was 12 years ago, and I am proud that to this day he is alcohol free to the best of my knowledge--he is back in our family and there is not a day that doesn't go by that I have talked to him over the last years. He is my buddy, my friend, my dad, a grandpa and a husband and a brother because of this house and it is my honor to give them a little back.
There are many houses like this one across the united States--houses that are there to provide the care, shelter, medical and dental needs of men with addiction problems. They are there, because people are willing and care enough to help others that are in need.
Please click on the link above and check out what this house can do, and has done--the Prospect House, thank you for saving my dad, and saving 6,200 other dad's, son's, brother's and friend's. YOU are so needed and thanked in so many ways.
25% of all donations will go directly to the Prospect House so that another son's and daughter's one day can have a sober dad, brother and have someone he is proud of. For, this will continue for a long time if we all can help.
For donations and other information please visit http://jimserger.com/1033/
I took the day off today from training--but up and at them tomorrow, trying to see how fast I can do 30 miles.
Don't forget to say I love you and give a hug today--it can go a long way, trust me.
Day 3
http://www.reading.org/General/Default.aspx
little late on day 3--
On Tuesday night I went to meet the teacher night here in Carmel, Indiana. Great to meet my little girls teacher, she is so nice and my daughter is just head over heels for her--what she brings is enthusiasm and joy to the subject of reading. I sat there among the other parents and heard her say, that reading is what she wants the kids to focus on--I about stood up and ran up and gave her a hug, but instead I sat there.
Reading to me was so boring--that is what other people do with their time, not me. I am going to lift weights, play football, baseball and reading books in my spare time-- I am just too cool for that.
Boy was I wrong, I graduated from college back in 1992, and I had not read a single book at all until winter of 2010--this where I met a man who changed my way of thinking.
I was at a managers meeting where the guest speaker, Pat Williams challenged everyone to read 15 minutes a day--he said it would change your life. At the end of the meeting he gave out 10 copies of his latest book and I just happened to be one of them--so I went home and began to read the book Extreme Dreams Depend on Teams. it took me almost two weeks to finish the book--but what happened was I was jacked up and I went out and got another book, then another book and on and on and on it went. In 2010 I read 71 books--71 books, that is crazy, reading became a way of life for me.
I began to listen and comprehend information more easily--I was gaining knowledge on topics I never heard of, I was being taken to parts of the world I have never seen--the pay off was huge. And today I am up too 156 books in the 30 months since taking him up on his challenge.
15 minutes x 365 days = 5475 minutes or 91.25 hours reading in one year--
At the parent teacher meeting, she told all the parents I would like for your child to read 15 minutes a day, I know what happens next, we begin to read 20, 30, 40 minutes at a time--some times even an hour or two.
The child is hooked for life, they took the bait and the rest is history as they say--what a great concept.
One of the programs that I am riding for is International Reading Association. This is there message.
On Wednesday I biked 80 miles in 5 hours and 45 minutes--heard to believe that 8 weeks ago all i could do is 4 miles--had to believe I had not read a book in 20 years, now i am up too 156 in 30 months.
Imagine what WE can do when we help others understand the value of reading.
Till tomorrow. "Pain is temporary, quitting lasts for ever".---Lance Armstrong
little late on day 3--
On Tuesday night I went to meet the teacher night here in Carmel, Indiana. Great to meet my little girls teacher, she is so nice and my daughter is just head over heels for her--what she brings is enthusiasm and joy to the subject of reading. I sat there among the other parents and heard her say, that reading is what she wants the kids to focus on--I about stood up and ran up and gave her a hug, but instead I sat there.
Reading to me was so boring--that is what other people do with their time, not me. I am going to lift weights, play football, baseball and reading books in my spare time-- I am just too cool for that.
Boy was I wrong, I graduated from college back in 1992, and I had not read a single book at all until winter of 2010--this where I met a man who changed my way of thinking.
I was at a managers meeting where the guest speaker, Pat Williams challenged everyone to read 15 minutes a day--he said it would change your life. At the end of the meeting he gave out 10 copies of his latest book and I just happened to be one of them--so I went home and began to read the book Extreme Dreams Depend on Teams. it took me almost two weeks to finish the book--but what happened was I was jacked up and I went out and got another book, then another book and on and on and on it went. In 2010 I read 71 books--71 books, that is crazy, reading became a way of life for me.
I began to listen and comprehend information more easily--I was gaining knowledge on topics I never heard of, I was being taken to parts of the world I have never seen--the pay off was huge. And today I am up too 156 books in the 30 months since taking him up on his challenge.
15 minutes x 365 days = 5475 minutes or 91.25 hours reading in one year--
At the parent teacher meeting, she told all the parents I would like for your child to read 15 minutes a day, I know what happens next, we begin to read 20, 30, 40 minutes at a time--some times even an hour or two.
The child is hooked for life, they took the bait and the rest is history as they say--what a great concept.
One of the programs that I am riding for is International Reading Association. This is there message.
Improving the quality of reading instruction
Disseminating research and information about reading
Encouraging the lifetime reading habit
I support the IRA in that they are helping so many people understand the value of reading, they are teaching the comprehension of reading and the cause and effect of reading too so many across the world.
Please help me raise money for them and the other four causes. My goal is 100,000 dollars all money will be split between the four groups.
The DONATION site is below
On Wednesday I biked 80 miles in 5 hours and 45 minutes--heard to believe that 8 weeks ago all i could do is 4 miles--had to believe I had not read a book in 20 years, now i am up too 156 in 30 months.
Imagine what WE can do when we help others understand the value of reading.
Till tomorrow. "Pain is temporary, quitting lasts for ever".---Lance Armstrong
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Day 2
http://www.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_ID=E3B54230-0912-9392-6D8BABBCD647053F
Every 40 seconds someone takes their life---every 41 seconds someone is asking why.
This is a very powerful statement and it really hits home for me--you see in 1990 and 1999 my father tried to take his own life. It is the most gut wrenching feeling in the world, but do too him crying out for help the staff at University Hospital in Cincinnati were able to get him and his needs under control.
It is not a fun ride at all, trying to cope with why my dad tried that--but what I see is that there is a reason for everything in life, things don't just happen for nothing. That is why I am writing this today, for what I have learned form my experience and pain through those years is nothing I would wish even on my worst enemy on any given day at any given moment.
We for years swept the problem under the table, I did it with a big fake smile across my face. I denied the fact that I was hurting inside, I blew it off--I had to be a man and not show any self-pity or remorse on the problems facing me and my dad. Well, that was not fun at all, I was angry, mad--just unable to conjure up the strength too talk about it with any one.
I ran away from the problem basically--but today, through unconditional love, my dad and I for the past 4 years have rebuilt our relationship into a very solid one--one that I needed and he needs. I am proud of my dad for allowing us too go public on this topic so that we can help others understand suicide and to get educated on a topic that we choose too avoid.
I chose this foundation--because it stands for what I understand now--I understand suicide affects all walks of life. Rich, poor, educated, uneducated, white, black, Asian, Hispanic and on and on and on it goes.
So I am riding my bike with my neighbor Scott to raise awareness on this subject and to raise donations for others who are coping with suicide.
1033 miles from Carmel, Indiana to Orlando, Florida seems like a very long journey--however not having my dad in my life would be an even longer journey to do with out.
I am proud to say 25% of all donations we get will go to AFSP--in a friend of my dad's daughters name. Shannon's Butterflies is a memorial to a very special girl who I had know for years, sadly Shannon took her own life in 2010 and left a family asking themselves many questions that we will never know the answers.
If Scott and I raise money, and my dad and I are open about talking about suicide--then I feel if we prevent one family from asking why, then it is a victory to all--a victory that we all can win as a team--then that person can help someone else understand suicide, then it becomes the ripple affect.
I did not ride or train today--meet the teacher night. But up and at them tomorrow for what should be a 80 mile bike ride--shooting for 15 miles and hour--if I can get 90 then I will go for it.
Till tomorrow--don't forget to tell someone you love them, and give them a hug.
For donations and more information please visit the site below.
Jim Serger Jr. http://jimserger.com/1033/
Every 40 seconds someone takes their life---every 41 seconds someone is asking why.
This is a very powerful statement and it really hits home for me--you see in 1990 and 1999 my father tried to take his own life. It is the most gut wrenching feeling in the world, but do too him crying out for help the staff at University Hospital in Cincinnati were able to get him and his needs under control.
It is not a fun ride at all, trying to cope with why my dad tried that--but what I see is that there is a reason for everything in life, things don't just happen for nothing. That is why I am writing this today, for what I have learned form my experience and pain through those years is nothing I would wish even on my worst enemy on any given day at any given moment.
We for years swept the problem under the table, I did it with a big fake smile across my face. I denied the fact that I was hurting inside, I blew it off--I had to be a man and not show any self-pity or remorse on the problems facing me and my dad. Well, that was not fun at all, I was angry, mad--just unable to conjure up the strength too talk about it with any one.
I ran away from the problem basically--but today, through unconditional love, my dad and I for the past 4 years have rebuilt our relationship into a very solid one--one that I needed and he needs. I am proud of my dad for allowing us too go public on this topic so that we can help others understand suicide and to get educated on a topic that we choose too avoid.
I chose this foundation--because it stands for what I understand now--I understand suicide affects all walks of life. Rich, poor, educated, uneducated, white, black, Asian, Hispanic and on and on and on it goes.
So I am riding my bike with my neighbor Scott to raise awareness on this subject and to raise donations for others who are coping with suicide.
1033 miles from Carmel, Indiana to Orlando, Florida seems like a very long journey--however not having my dad in my life would be an even longer journey to do with out.
I am proud to say 25% of all donations we get will go to AFSP--in a friend of my dad's daughters name. Shannon's Butterflies is a memorial to a very special girl who I had know for years, sadly Shannon took her own life in 2010 and left a family asking themselves many questions that we will never know the answers.
If Scott and I raise money, and my dad and I are open about talking about suicide--then I feel if we prevent one family from asking why, then it is a victory to all--a victory that we all can win as a team--then that person can help someone else understand suicide, then it becomes the ripple affect.
I did not ride or train today--meet the teacher night. But up and at them tomorrow for what should be a 80 mile bike ride--shooting for 15 miles and hour--if I can get 90 then I will go for it.
Till tomorrow--don't forget to tell someone you love them, and give them a hug.
For donations and more information please visit the site below.
Jim Serger Jr. http://jimserger.com/1033/
Monday, August 20, 2012
Day 1
On June 19th I decided to take up a new sport that I had never done before--yes I have ridden bikes and bmx bikes as kid--but never a 20 speed road bike, with clip in shoes or even begin to think I could put on spandex shorts and a jersey. A road bike was donated to me, and the first day all I could do was 4 miles--yes four little miles, that is it.
My decision to ride the bike was generated when I read a book about how to give back to life--how to donate time and energy. Four special programs came to my head--cancer, suicide, literacy and alcoholism.
All four have been a part of my life, me having to deal with them in one way or another--some in good ways, some in awful ways--but, today through the kindness of programs that helped me understand the four, I am going to give back to those four--by me riding my bike from Carmel, Indiana to Orlando, Florida.
Just 15 minutes ago I got off my back, doing a 30 mile run--and since June 19th, I have 622 miles under my belt--and I even fell over a stop sign trying to get my shoes un-clipped (pretty funny, and of course there were cars looking at me).
Doing this ride, this journey has helped me face a new challenge just like many people who have face one of the four programs --it is not easy by any means; hills, wind, rain, cars, dogs, etc....when I got to 40 miles I felt I was ready too commit myself to the journey, because like any thing else I had too see if i could do it--so on august 1st I went for my first century ride and low and behold I did it in 8 hours and 7 minutes--but I am 5'10" and 242 pounds--today I am down too 239 pounds and still loosing.
I am proud to say that my next door neighbor Scott Golden will be going on this ride with me--for he is up to the challenge as well and knows that it is all for a good cause. With that it is 1033 miles to Orlando from my house here in Carmel, Indiana---so if we average 130 miles a day, 65 miles a piece we should get there is 8 days--depending on the weather, and of course the hills(need to practice those, not many in central Indiana)
Our goal is to raise 100,000 through donations --which then we will be giving 25% to each cause I have posted on my website--
The journey is in 60 days--October 20th, my dad's birthday and the day after my little girls.
http://jimserger.com/1033/ here is the website for the ride, as well as facebook page.
So each day I will be looking forward to the day Scott and I will be able too help others--like others have helped my family and so many others across the US and Internationally.
So share, post, and follow our journey to Orlando---2 dad's, 1 bike.
help us raise 100,000--thanks Jim Serger Jr.
My decision to ride the bike was generated when I read a book about how to give back to life--how to donate time and energy. Four special programs came to my head--cancer, suicide, literacy and alcoholism.
All four have been a part of my life, me having to deal with them in one way or another--some in good ways, some in awful ways--but, today through the kindness of programs that helped me understand the four, I am going to give back to those four--by me riding my bike from Carmel, Indiana to Orlando, Florida.
Just 15 minutes ago I got off my back, doing a 30 mile run--and since June 19th, I have 622 miles under my belt--and I even fell over a stop sign trying to get my shoes un-clipped (pretty funny, and of course there were cars looking at me).
Doing this ride, this journey has helped me face a new challenge just like many people who have face one of the four programs --it is not easy by any means; hills, wind, rain, cars, dogs, etc....when I got to 40 miles I felt I was ready too commit myself to the journey, because like any thing else I had too see if i could do it--so on august 1st I went for my first century ride and low and behold I did it in 8 hours and 7 minutes--but I am 5'10" and 242 pounds--today I am down too 239 pounds and still loosing.
I am proud to say that my next door neighbor Scott Golden will be going on this ride with me--for he is up to the challenge as well and knows that it is all for a good cause. With that it is 1033 miles to Orlando from my house here in Carmel, Indiana---so if we average 130 miles a day, 65 miles a piece we should get there is 8 days--depending on the weather, and of course the hills(need to practice those, not many in central Indiana)
Our goal is to raise 100,000 through donations --which then we will be giving 25% to each cause I have posted on my website--
The journey is in 60 days--October 20th, my dad's birthday and the day after my little girls.
http://jimserger.com/1033/ here is the website for the ride, as well as facebook page.
So each day I will be looking forward to the day Scott and I will be able too help others--like others have helped my family and so many others across the US and Internationally.
So share, post, and follow our journey to Orlando---2 dad's, 1 bike.
help us raise 100,000--thanks Jim Serger Jr.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Thursday, August 16, 2012
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