Last evening I finally got myself registered for the 24 hours of Booty in Charlotte.  Its a fundraising event that splits all donations generated with the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas.  Two worthy causes that are more than deserving of one’s individual efforts.  The event was originally concieved by a rider in the original Tour of Roses as a fundraising event that has evolved into a signature cycling event in the carolinas.

Last year my friend Ron participated, this year he has formed a team called Big Hare Racing of which I and two others of his friends are members.  And no I have no idea why he chose the name Big Hare Racing for the team.  Im hoping to get to 200 miles on my ride.  Its a pretty big number and a pretty big long shot for me to make it considering how little I’ve trained to this point for the Livestrong Challenge, in the cycling aspect at least.  Ive been running but its not the same.  Starting today Ill be doing 20 mile rides every day until Thursday of next week which Ill take off before Booty begins on Friday.  Hopefully ill be able to “spin” myself up for the ride.

This will be my first major effort in getting myself ready for the Livestrong Challenge rides.

The poker tournaments are still moving along month to month and becoming a lifeline to my fundraising.  The tournaments by themselves have already qualified me for the Livestrong Challenge fundraising limit for Austin and pushed me two-thirds of the way to being qualified for Philadelphia’s Livestrong Challenge.  The past tournament this month had 8 entrants and raised $64 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

There’s only two more tournaments until the end of the fundraising finale, which occurs after the fundraising deadline for the Livestrong Challenge.  Then those that have played all year will get to cash in their point totals earned through the season and play for a pot that is not split with the LAF and goes directly to the winners.

Wanted to pass along the latest newsletter I received from the Lance Armstrong Foundation regarding the Livestrong Challenge Series.

There’s always something interesting and fun happening in Austin and the weekend of the LIVESTRONG(R) Challenge is no exception. With multiple activities on the Austin calendar the weekend of October 7-8, we wanted to share important travel information with you now to help you make your travel arrangements for that weekend.

Hotel Discounts
Local hotels are offering special discounted rates for LIVESTRONG Challenge participants. Reservations must be made by Thursday, September 7 in order to guarantee the discount. Availability is limited.

Doubletree Hotel Austin
6505 Interstate Highway - 35 North
Austin, TX 78752
512-454-3737
$119.00

Hyatt Hotel Austin
208 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78704
512-477-1234
$149.00

Doubletree Guest Suites Austin
303 West 15th Street
Austin, TX 78701
512-478-7000
$199.00

Omni Hotel Austin
700 San Jacinto
Austin, TX 78701
512-476-3700
$165.00

Hilton Hotel Austin
500 East 4th Street
Austin, TX 78701
512-482-8000
$189.00

To reserve rooms at this discounted rate, contact the hotels directly. The blocks of rooms are reserved under “Lance Armstrong LIVESTRONG Challenge.”

Air Travel Discounts
American Airlines is offering discounted rates for LIVESTRONG Challenge participants traveling to and from the Austin event.

To book your travel, contact American Airlines Group and Meeting Desk (between 5:00 am - 12:00 am CST) at 800-433-1790. Meeting code: 0266TT

I got an email that I feel would be good to pass along.

If you’re looking for training information to help you prepare for the LIVESTRONG Challenge, take a look at our new Training Tips (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?ID=M716967189047337628765665) page online! You’ll find downloadable schedules for all distances and ability levels, safety and training tips, and more.

This is similar to Chris Carmichael’s training tips from last year that I posted a while back on this blog. I think these tips and schedules combined with those from last year will serve only to help train for the Livestrong Challenge.

I recieved notification in my email day reminding me that Wednesday is Livestrong Day to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation so i wanted to pass on the email to everyone.

Wednesday, May 17, is LIVESTRONG Day!

The Lance Armstrong Foundation will lead a group of advocates from each state to raise awareness on Capitol Hill about the issues faced by the 10 million Americans affected by cancer.

Volunteers across the country will also host LIVESTRONG Day activities in their local communities in support of people affected by cancer.

Wherever you are, you can make a difference in the fight against cancer. Here are several ways to participate on LIVESTRONG Day:

1. Wear yellow and encourage your family, friends, neighbors and colleagues to do the same. Official LIVESTRONG clothing and merchandise may be purchased online in the LIVESTRONG Store.
2. Participate in a LIVESTRONG Day event or activity near you.
3. Send an e-card to your family, friends, neighbors or colleagues and encourage them to join the team in the fight against cancer.
4. Take part in a virtual LIVESTRONG Day activity - Blog Against Cancer.
5. Send a message to your members of Congress and encourage them to make cancer a national priority.

Together, we can affect positive change in the fight against cancer.
LIVESTRONG^TM
Lance Armstrong Foundation
www.livestrong.org

© Lance Armstrong Foundation :: P.O. Box 161150 :: Austin, TX 78716-1150