They actually did the presentation of the diplomas first in light of the approaching weather.  The winds picked up and it was getting cold.  I could see that Andy and many of the kids were freezing, so typical of our weather patterns around here.   I managed to see Andy up close as he filed on up to the stage where he got his diploma and then returned to his seat.   The student speeches were brief and a text from Andy indicated he’d meet me on the field right after the fireworks.   I patiently watched as the bleechers emptied ahead of the approaching storm….some do still get scared I guess, but I held my ground atop the wooden steps snapping what pics I could from afar and trying to remember which pocket i had my cell in.   Andy met me afterwards and after a good handshake and a hug, I told him I loved him and that I was so very proud of him.  We hustled back into the school where he picked up his real diploma and where he was soon greeted by so many of the friends he’s gone thru school with over the years.  After a few moments in the field house, I realized that my role at graduation was now complete and like Bambi’s dad in the forest, i was ready to retreat back to the high ground where I will forever keep an eagles eye on Andy and his brothers, Christopher and Brandon, knowing full well they have a vision for success and that their lives are trully their own.  Wishing Andy the very best this eve was a reaffirmation of my faith and belief that Andy and his brothers will do very well for themselves, inspired by good people, some of whom are readers of this very blog, who impacted not only my boys with their friendship but so many other countless young people every single day and which seems to be inherent in so many of the people that Andy and the others have met the last couple years on many of my rides.

The field house was beginning to get a bit crowded and I sensed Andy wanted to hook up with his friends so I gave him a wink and congratulated him again and quietly made my way out of the school and back to my car.  As the rain came down and the lightning lit up the sky, I was reminded again of the awesomeness of our universe and my silent prayer was simply a thank you to God for allowing this night to happen as it did and for blessing his mother and I with 3 great sons!   Its not always easy being dad with the pace of my schedule and that of the boys, but tonight was worth every moment of cold and wind that I endured because this chapter, the high school graduation, is now closed.   I love you Andy, you made me so very proud this evening.  Thanks for being there and in my life as you are.  I’ll see you at breakfast my young son…..

While my 2 hour plank just a week or so ago was by far one of the more difficult “long” planks that i’ve done, I was grateful for the support of so many clients and friends who stayed with me for the duration while I belted out songs with labored breathing in order to somehow minimize the agony of getting to the 2 hour mark.  It was done and for good reason because I’ve since learned that GWR does indeed recognize the plank now as a stand alone event and the current GWR is 19 minutes and 58 seconds set in the UK on Dec 4, 2010.  The rules as set forth by GWR require absolutely no movement for the duration of the plank as well as some others which are not unlike that which I’ve already thought of.  I’ve tested myself with no movement so much so that I’m confident I can set a new GWR for the plank, which I intend to do in the near future.   Its clear that my super long planks have indeed helped me to sustain shorter planks when no movement is required.  This Friday, I will again knock down a 2+ hour training plank in pursuit of setting the new GWR.  I am looking for a public venue to do this particular record and a charitable cause who might want to help support me in my endeavor.  If anyone has any suggestions, please dont hesitate to let me know.

Additionally, as many I think, already know, my GWR on the spin bike was broken nearly 2 weeks ago a Mr. Patrizio Sciorli in Italy who was certified by GWR on site with a time of 224:24:24, a mere 2 hours longer than my ride this past November.  I was made aware of his attempt by some Italian media folks who reached out to me via FB on my way back from Macomb last Thursday.  At least when I break records, I smash them by often setting a new mark far in excess of what the record was.   I’ve since spoken with members of the crew and certain others who’ve offered to be a part of any future attempt and I’m happy that I have their support.  I’ve made application with GWR for two claim numbers this past week, one for the plank attempt and for a re-attempt at the spin record.  Upon final sanctioning by GWR on both requests, I will make a formal announcement regarding plans for a re-attempt on the bike this Fall.  Its my gut that we will be reigniting the engines in order to pull off yet another spectacular ride on behalf of a worthwhile charity or organization.

I had a call from Brandon last eve on my way home from X Sport and he simply wanted to let me know that he got his grades in from WIU and he had straight A’s, this for the second semester in a row and most likely Deans List, again!  His performance this freshman year has been outstanding and I was quite proud of his effort and wanting to share it with me the other  evening.  Its been a long day and I have clients tomorrow so its time for the evening’s rest.  And I’ll think now of the upcoming Memorial Day weekend and its meaning to me in light of Gunnar’s passing nearly a year ago.    More to follow…..

I went to X Sport for a meeting at 2pm which finished early and I was able to prep for the plank.  Started the plank at about 3PM and went for the goal time of 1 hour, 40 minutes.  I wore a heart rate monitor this time and burned about 521 calories, 42% of which were “fat calories”.   The entire plank was done in the fat burning zone with an average HR of about 93 bpm.   This time I took an S-CAP to ward off any cramping which I sensedcoming on after the previous 80 minute plank.  I also had a 5 hour and a Myoplex bar as an energy snack as I hadn’t eaten since my late breakfast and I didn’t want to be tired going into the plank.  The first 20 minutes went by quick and I started to take duration in 20-30 minute chunks and looked forward to the hour mark as before.  I was locked into the position a little stronger than last, a sign that repetitive training during the week is paying off.  First sign of discomfort came at about the 45 minute mark and i felt it mostly in my upper thigh and hip flexor area…the hardest part of the plank was the last 15 minutes.  The strength i’ve harnessed by doing countless pushups and planks paid off in the final push to finish as I drilled both forearms into the deck at right angles.  I came down from this plank a bit quicker than prior, certainly not the cramping as before….did a couple good quad stretches and I was good to go.

I wanted to thank my clients Connie, Lisa, Mary and Bobby who came by to do their own floor work in light of the plank and support me in my effort.  Many also sent me messages from afar, which simply make me smile…Cathy sent me a very inspirational verse that really inspired me and which brought back memories of the faith component that exists in just about everything I/we do.   Congrats to Connie, who was so inspired she knocked down a 12 minute plank and to Lisa who qualified for the 3 mile run portion of the USMC PFT Competition with a time of 31:05.  Marcia leads in the Flexed Arm Hang w/a time of 64 seconds and Connie and Mary lead in the Situp portion of the PFT…..i’m patiently waiting for the first in the female field to put all 3 events together and knock down a qualifying score in the PFT competiton.  I appreciate the effort by so many who really do strive to be their best and who unleash their potential over and over again accomplishing goals along the way….it inspires me to know that my training has facilitated their success in some small way.  My one client Troy M is doing his 5K tomm and my trainer colleague Mark R is running a marathon in Kentucky…..he’s shooting for a finish time of 2:39!  Mark is a good friend at the club who routinely informs his clients of my plank feats and the benefits of doing such an exercise. I appreciate his genuine support!

I’m continuing to establish various parameters regarding this particular feat….GWR does not recognize the plank as a record type event.   So, I’m left to establish my own standards if you will for executing this particular plank event.  I’ve come up with a few standards which include, but are certainly not limited to the following:

1.  4 points of contact, i.e. toes of both feet and both hands and arms are to be fixed on the floor.

2.  Lateral, fore and aft micro movements of the body are permitted.

3.  The integrity of the “plank” must be maintained, i.e. the back must remain straight, no kipping or pike position allowed.

I’m forging new ground here with the establishment of such standards, which are vested in my own personal knowledge of the plank and its relevance to core training.  I’m certainly open to other suggestions which perhaps, at some point, may very well manifest itself in a formal proposal to recognize such an event.  I’m not sure if this would qualify as a “marathon” of sorts, which would trigger the 5 minutes of rest for every completed hour that one is in the plank position.  I’m thinking that the “break” might do more harm than good.

Was also sorry this week that the President of the United States, yes, the President of the United States had to once again defend himself with regard to his birthplace.  You’d think we’d have other, more important issues to deal with.  And whats this I see about the average price of gas being $3.88/gallon!  Where in the hell is this???  Certainly not in my neighborhood!  Just filled up myRAV IV the other day for a whopping $57.00!  The wrong people are making money on all of this at our expense and its gonna send us right back into the depression we just maybe had been turning the corner on.   I’m more frustrated now than ever before at the fiscal mismanagement of our national budget.  One wouldn’t run a business or their own household like the fed runs our government.  Outrageous debt and spending money you dont have.    We need a hard break it seems, a sudden stop and a major correction in how we do business.  Yes, some may get pinched in the process but that’s a heck of a lot better than the casualties we’ll suffer when we have the ultimate train wreck!  Looking forward to a great weekend, if the weather holds!

Speaking of which, I had good weather today when i left, first time in a couple weeks it seems.  Nice bright sun, low clouds were a  nice reprieve from the chilly, wet and windy days we’ve had as of late.  The drive to Macomb is about 3 hours non-stop.  Its the long drive out I-88 that is the longest with about 3 or 4 toll booths one passes on the same stretch of highway!  Never did understand that.  I left Chippy at home sort of at the last minute because I didn’t want to be stressed trying to deal with the hotel and getting chips into my room, etc….the days have passed when he used to just fit in my duffle bag.  So, he is being tended to by Connie who graciously agreed to see that Chips was taken care of .  I appreciated that and I just have to get used to the fact that Chips is a dog and I need to realize he can be without me for the brief period that i’m gone on this particular trip.  I really have been craving a chance to get away from the house and get out this way not only to see Brandon but to also stay in the overpriced Hampton Inn and simply enjoy some quiet time.

I wasn’t far out of Macomb when Brandon checked in with me and told me he was going for a run, which I was glad to hear.  I told him to just head toward the hotel and I’d pick him up on my way thru town, which I did.  Checked in at the Hampton and established my internet connection so i could of course, check email.  Brandon took the car back to his dorm to get a few clothes and things and then he returned.  We then went to dinner at Vitalies Italian Resturant, which had been recommended to me by Cathy, yet another client of mine whose son went to school here couple years back and she was familiar with this particular resturant.  So Brandon and I had a good meal at this place and then we proceeded out to Argyle State Park so i could recon the campground area that Andy and I checked out this past summer on our bikes when we were down here with Brandon before.  The park is about 3-4 miles outside of macomb but easy to find.  I’ve had thoughts about wanting to camp there on one of these trips here, but not this trip, a bit to cold yet.

Brandon and i returned to town and hit the Walmart where i picked him up some polo shirts after he had asked me about his desire to want to start wearing nicer pants and polo shirts to class vice the t-shirt and jeans that has been his usual attire since high school.  Nice to see him wanting to upgrade his attire a bit, perhaps a sign that he’s taking his appearance a bit more seriously than he used to.  I know he’s met alot of people here, professors and the like and he seems to have taken in alot of information.  Says his best class this semester was Criminal investigations and that he learned so much.  I was also quick to find out that I’ll be returning here in about 3 weeks when he’s done to move him out of his dorm…that will be a day trip i think, but his first year has really gone by fast.  Andy returns here early June for his orientation.  We stopped at the local Dairy Queen and sat outside just enjoying the pace of this place called Macomb and it was good to chat and visit with Brandon as I did.  He’ll stay with me this eve here at the hotel and I can tell he’s enjoying the hot shower…must pale in comparison to that long walk down the hall to the showers in the dorm.  We’ll enjoy breakfast here tomorrow morning and then I’ll be on the road home.  I’m going to miss Brandon when I leave but he’ll be done soon and home where he’ll spend the summer and accompany me with Andy up to Boundary Waters for yet another canoe trip in August.

Happy Easter Brandon!  Thanks for making the time for me on this visit…..see you in a few weeks!  Good luck on finals!

And so ends a week of reflection on an event that brought so many of us together and for some who forged onto an even greater ride in November…..while the April ride is indeed over, I simply cant forget so many and so much and the beauty of these rides lies in the memories that I and so many others are left with, i perhaps more than some, but thats okay.  I miss it dearly.   I’m really glad for the end that we had one year ago, and the comfort I found in so many who came by in that golden hour after I woke up and before I left the venue.  But especially the man, whoever it was or probably more who he represented, with the long coat and cup of coffee who made sure we were all ok.  And we are……thanks again for the memories folks!

Another early morning awaits me so its off for the evenings rest…..good night.

It was a cold and rainy day today but I managed to fight the bus traffic on Normantown to get to the club just after 2pm.  After some light stretching, I assumed the plank position on the floor.  Several clients and friends of mine were present at one point or another during the ordeal and I’m grateful for their support and genuine friendship.  The workup prior to this particular plank included a couple 10 min and one 20 min plank earlier in the week.  I did no cardio today, bike or elliptical…to darn windy and cold to even think about running.  I started the plank at about 2:40pm and I intentionally did not look at the clock for the first 15 mins or so and that seemed to help convince me that I was into this effort for the long haul.  At about the 30-45 min mark, the stiffness begins to set into the shoulders and arms but dissipates as I relax, pull in the core to the small of my back and continue.  My toes did not seem to fall asleep as quick this time.  The effort became a bit more difficult after about the 1 hour mark and I could feel my core muscles and upper thighs getting fatigued as i continued to hold the position.  I was surrounded by several friends who came by to chat and that was a pleasant distraction that seemed to pass the time.  I have to remember to breathe and simply relax if this effort is to continue.   Connie was so inspired that she knocked out a new plank PR of 7 minutes!   Others did additional floorwork above and beyond what they might’ve already accomplished training with me earlier in the day.   As a result of the amount of sweat that seems to pool beneath me, I’m going to consider taking the SUCCEED S-Cap at the next effort to help replace valuable electrolytes and also help minimize the potential for cramping, much like they did during the rides.  I also want to wear a heart rate monitor next time to ascertain how many calories I burn doing such a long plank and what percentage of those calories are “fat calories” .  I also want to see my heart rate pattern the more I get into this thing.   The body is an amazing thing and I’m convinced that if you will yourself to do something, anything is possible. The next effort will be a 95 min plank in about 2 weeks.

I had many clients this morning and was pleased to see that Asad knocked down a 1st class PFT by USMC standards and improved his 3 mile run time by nearly 6 minutes.  The administration of the USMC PFT seems to have gotten the attention of several clients both male and female, who want to train to accomplish the various standards set forth by the Marine Corps for physical fitness.  I’ve also incorporated fitness standards presently in place at the FBI Academy for male and female agents.

And lastly, i gotta figure out why the crossing guard lady continues to park illegally on the side of the street, where it is clearly marked “No parking this side of street” .  Her vehicle poses a real hazard for those of us approaching the intersection. She wont park on the side street located approximately 20 yards to her rear and out of the line of traffic.  AND, I discovered, she lives in the subdivision and drives to the crosswalk instead of walk the 3 minutes it might take to get there.  My guess is she wants to stay warm in her vehicle and minimize the distance she has to otherwise walk from her very nearby home or her car to the cross walk to ensure that the children cross safely including those on skateboards, rollerblades and the like.    So, today’s plank is dedicated to all those out there who’d rather drive to work instead of walk when your appointed place of duty is a mere 3-5 minutes from your home!  Thanks again to the many good friends and supporters who came by to chat, inspire and pass time during today’s plank.  Was great to catch up with Teresa as thoughts of last years ride continue to come and go from my head.   And special thanks to Lisa for the Ginger cookies…a nice treat after i ate this evening.   Will reconnect with Brandon and Andy sometime this weekend and hopefully my oldest, Christopher, who turned 22 this week.  Time for the evening rest now….perhaps additional thoughts another day.

Standing there in the stadium, i slowly watched the sun go down and the shadows grow larger on the field as i waited for this moment.  It wasn’t long before I was in a hooded sweatshirt and nearly my gloves!  I haven’t attended as many of Andy’s meets this season as i would’ve liked so I welcomed the opportunity to attend this particular one as it only took a half hour to get there.  The ceremony was brief but poignant as I along with other parents, partnered with our respective son(s) and waited to be called forward when our son’s name was called.  When Andy’s name was called, we then proceeded to pass thru this long gauntlet of sorts with fellow students and staff lining each side of this thing…..they clapped and cheered for Andy and several yelled out that he was so cool cause his dad was a world record holder!  I simply smiled and acknowledged the countless references to the ride and being Andy’s dad,  but smiled more inside for Andy because he indeed has made me proud.  And I felt that pride rise up in me as we neared the end of the gauntlet.  The rose that he was given, we agreed, could be given to his mother, who was unable to be there, by design or not, that didn’t matter.  What did was that Andy and I were together for his senior recognition and I realized that I really cant complain to much about standing around freezing as I was,  waiting for the ceremony, which really lasted only a few minutes, when Andy had spent countless hours with me during my many rides and more so this past Fall when he’d drive to Burr Ridge to Preston’s shop and be with me as i rode,at all hours.

I wish I had more nights like tonight…it really was cool (no pun intended).  He even took first place in the 200 meter sprint!   I then proceeded to meet him in the parking lot where I passed of several bottles of Isopure drink and some protein bars…..we said good bye and I just couldn’t have been prouder.   Thanks Andy for a great night!  It meant more to me than perhaps you’ll ever know.  See you at graduation in a few weeks…..and probably sooner.

I thought  it was fitting to post this tonight after many friends have so reminded me that one year ago we were into the first day of what would be a 175 hour ride on behalf of Injured Marines and the FVUW.  We started at 9pm on a Sunday night and I remember the drama and resultant stress associated with my first break at the 20 hour mark or whatever it was and how that so had to sync w/the River’s already scheduled broadcast from the venue ….we had no such obstacles at the re-attempt in Nov when we rode 25 hours straight!  But today, while training clients this morning at the club, I was constantly reminded by a series of text messages and simply looking at the clock and thinking about where I and so many others were this time last year…..I’ll do that for the remainder of the week I suspect and I trust I’ll have many memories, some good, some not so good and some just simply not worth remembering.   The April ride, unknown to me at the time, was  a mere stepping stone to a greater goal that we achieved this past Fall.   Accomplished with far fewer people, the Fall Ride on behalf of Gunnar Hotchkin was the one that counted, but I owe so much to those friends from the April ride who facilitated my fate, and unknown to me and them, my ultimate success in November.  So, a good way to start this post by simply saying thank you, once again for countless memories I’ll have this week of a wonderful experience one year ago!  And may the ride anthem, Soul Sister, continue to put a smile on your face as you too reflect on the Ride IV Reasons event, just one year ago!

This is going to be good for me, theraputic to some extent, to continue the blog where I’ll offer comment on a variety of things, not the least of which will be keeping all updated on what might be in store down the road.  For now, Christopher, who turns 22 this week,  graduates in May from Governor’s State, Brandon is a Deans List freshman at Western Illinois Univ and Andy graduates from N’ville Central in May and will also be attending Western Illinois this Fall.

I hope this finds many of you happy and healthy and I look forward to your comments and to staying in touch.   Probably the one connection that bears mention and which was just another nudge to get me started again was when I ran into Mark Collins at Springbrook the other day….he was on his bike and came up on me as I got to Book Road….I hadn’t seen Mark in nearly a year, since that fateful early Monday morning when I “crashed”  and the ride was over…..Mark did as best he could for the whole RGR experience considering what he had to work with on the fundraising side of things….it was great to see him and somewhat of a sign if you will, but he pedaled w/me as I ran and I ended up doing the loop w/him riding beside me as we caught up on alot of stuff.   Funny how people just come into your life when you least expect them to and its like the only thing that has passed is time.  Good to see you Mark!

Early morning tomorrow at the club so its off to prepare for the evenings rest.  I’m going to calculate just how many hours of sleep I lost from November 2009 to Nov 2010 as a result of training and subsequently executing two events in the process.  I’m still paying for that I suspect when I wake at 2 and 3am knowing I got to be at the club within the hour to train folks…fondest memories of some crazy nights and I laugh when I think of the nights from the recent November ride with the crew, Preston, Devyn, Emerson and so many others who simply made it what it was by being the great and often creative people they are.  I miss you guys…..I’ll be in touch and certainly more to follow…..night.

My boys spent the holiday up north in Michigan….barely got Brandon home from WIU last Saturday and they were all on their way up north.  They got back yesterday.   Had breakfast with Brandon and Andy this morning at the Egg and then Brandon departed for Western with his friends.  Andy seems pre-occupied with papers and projects due at school but he did inform me that he was accepted at Western where he’ll attend next Fall.  Now for the fiscal planning that goes along with all that.

Well, its about time to get a bite to eat here in the house and prep for the evenings rest in anticipation of getting up at 0330 for PT with Ryan at 0430 at the club.  Happy the Steelers won today but they never should’ve been in overtime with Buffalo!  I look forward to sharing additional thoughts as the days and weeks tick by in anticipation of Christmas.  It all just goes to fast and seems to start earlier and earlier each year…I’m thankful I have the holiday to look forward to despite all the commotion that surrounds it.   Have a great week, so many of you continue to be in my thoughts as we cross paths at the club or on the street or pray tell, at the mall!  Be safe out there!

In my career I’ve witnessed many a widow of  an agent, cop and now a soldier deal with the loss of a loved one under often very traumatic circumstances.  While I dont pretend to know how they feel, their strength during such adversity always amazes me.  In alot of cases, they remain strong and resilient and still carry on as the good mom they always were despite their loss.

Last evening, I attended the wake for Erin’s mom over at Calvary church.  I normally dont attend such things, especially when i had no contact with the deceased.   I felt however that I should go and pay my respects to Erin and her sister and other members of her family who were gathered there.  It just felt like the right thing to do especially in light of her having been at my events as often as she was and sharing countless messages with me back and forth over the phone as I pushed my way thru the event.  Her support was just overwhelming and was just what I needed to feel on so many different occasions during the ride.  Going last night was the least I could do and i’m glad that I went.

I stood at the back of the chapel for several minutes before even venturing into the place but when I did make my way down the aisle I was greeted by Tristan and Taylor, two of Erin’s children.  Tristan gave me his familiar hug and loudly said “hi George!”  At that moment, many in the chapel turned and looked to see me on one knee chatting w/the kids and recalling their time at the ride.  I, for one,will never forget Tristan’s hug and our emotional goodbye as I sat in the truck when I left the venue at the end of the ride.  To recall briefly at the chapel last evening, our time at the ride gave me the confidence I needed to approach the front of the church and greet Erin’s dad, Erin’s sister  and of course Erin.  She was in great spirits and as i hugged her, I felt once again, her strength and courage at dealing with now the loss of two people very close to her in her own life.  While it sounds like a cliche at times when i hear that Erin has had a rough year, I’d like to think that Erin will have a great year, whenever that moment is, in that she will have survived and lives now to celebrate the great lives that she shared with her mom and Gunnar.

Erin is a remarkable young woman who I simply admire for her courage and ability to accept and deal with losses that might otherwise be so very devestating to the rest of us.  They say that behind every great cop, soldier or Marine is a great wife, a great mom or dad, or some other special person very close to those who put their lives on the line or who otherwise might succumb to an untimely death.  Last evening I was convinced that Erin was indeed the great wife and daughter that her recent losses represent.

It was great to see Erin last evening as well as the other members of her  family including the kids.  I felt better after seeing her and feeling the strength that she displays so very well.  I cant and wont pretend to know what you really think Erin or how you must feel or how the words of your mom’s passing and that of Gunnar must’ve rocked your very soul.  I commend you for being the strong woman that you are.  You’ve been thru alot and I’m just glad that I’ve had the pleasure of knowing you as I have and that my contribution to the fund that now honors Gunnar was indeed a privelage I will forever be grateful for.  I wish you the best in your upcoming move and adjustment to a new home but yet one in familiar surroundings, closer to family and friends.  To that end, i’m proud to be your friend and look forward to another visit when your smile and that of your kids makes me smile and for a brief moment makes me realize that I should indeed be thankful for what I have and that I really dont have it as bad as some others.  Please know that I’m sorry for the untimely loss of your mom and  Gunnar.   I’m grateful I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you and the kids at such a difficult time.  Thanks for being part of my life and for connecting with me at my ride and for supporting me as i only hope now I can do for you.   Seeing you last evening was a small part of what I knew I had to do in light of the wonderful person and supporter you were to me.  Be safe in your travels and I’ll be seeing you all again soon……G

Well, I’m left with countless pictures now, scattered all over the place and the pics from this last event are simply overwhelming.  I was presented a scrapbook last eve that as of this posting, I have yet to fully explore because I know the flood of emotions that will surface as i look thru the various pics, captions and the like.  But I will look at it one day here soon when i’m alone w/chips on the sofa and I again want to reflect on my experience.  Its just not easy folks but its bittersweet and it will no doubt put a tear in my eye and a smile on my face as I look at the scrapbook….

I finally dragged the food bin into the kitchen and put stuff away and chuckled as i waded thru the countless plastic bags, straws, plastic spoons strewn about and the half bags of ritz crackers, saltines, animal crackers, cheez-its, teddy grahams and more pudding than i no what to do with…I found a copy of the “menu” that we used in the April ride and a baggie (of course) of licorice.  But its empty now and stored away. 

Devyn and Preston were just so good to me and so many of us who came to “the shop” in Burr Ridge and were a part of this most recent attempt.   My own memories are simply priceless and vested in friendships made and generosity from so many who came to know me that I was simply overwhelmed and find myself extremely grateful to a host of folks i hardly knew or didn’t know when i started this last ride. 

Well, last evening, i had the pleasure of attending our traditional Reflection Dinner at the Capri resturant in Burr Ridge, just around the corner from the shop….I took Andy and Bobby with me and upon arrival was greeted by a packed restaurant and a table in the back surrounded by about 20 or so friends from the ride..Before we even began to eat, I looked up and saw Mickey Straub, a great friend who was intimately involved in prior events.  Mickey was simply in the place to have dinner and recognized some of the folks around the table and immediately knew what it was, an event he’s had the pleasure of being part of in the past.    Its understandable that not everyone can make this event, and thats ok, its simply a point in time, when after experiencing such an event as we pulled off, that all those that want can come together one last time to simply break bread, chat and talk and reflect on a wonderful experience.  The tradition was started and instilled in me by my former coach Brian Clarke after we set the jump rope marathon record in 1986 and I’ve mantained the tradition ever since.  For me, the dinner marked the real end of the ride so to speak and for me, the event is now over and a part of history.  All the memories that were shared and will continue to be shared will forever touch so many of us in so many many different ways.  From the music to the hot dancing of  T, K and others to Tristan leaving the grasp of his mom at the end of the ride and coming outside to the truck as I was leaving to give me one last hug and tell me that he missed his daddy (Gunnar) as a result of what I pulled off with the bike.  I hope Tristan, Ethan and Taylor and countless others remember this ride as it was indeed a very personal ride on behalf of a guy i didn’t know other than he had been killed in Afghanistan but who I know in my heart I would’ve liked a great deal had i had the pleasure of knowing him here.  But i got to know Gunnar vicarously thru his family members who were at the venue daily.  His picture is in nearly every picture I have of this ride and yes, at times at night, I would often chat w/Gunnar because I felt his presence there on so many occasions. 

But we laughed last night and had a great meal.  I’m grateful for the friendship of the Coopers that was reignited after having last seen them at the 07 rides.  I’m grateful for Adam and his expertise at assisting Kathy with the books and believing in what I was doing.  I ‘m grateful for a crew anchored by Emerson who saw to it that I would survive this ride and simply countless others who stood by me and made this ride what it was.  I’m thankful for Chris Arnes and his ability to help me see the superhuman part of this ride that made many hours of this ride so much easier to cope with.  This ride has touched me deeply because it was so personal and held at a venue that welcomed me and kept me safe by surrounding me with the love and support of so many from the Burr Ridge community and beyond.  Last night was my chance to say “thank you” but I somehow feel something is missing and I wrestle with the notion of just how can I thank so many people and have them know it.  For Karl King from SUCCEED, whose unselfish support of my rides for nearly 4 years is just overwhelming.  You all have made this ride a special part of my life in just the same way that I hope it will forever be a special part of your lives.  We’ve raised nearly $26,000 in such a short period of time.  The generosity overwhelms me….I took time to thank my sons last eve and Andy was there of course representing the Hood boys….they’ve been quite patient with me for nearly 4 years and 3 world records so I’m very thankful for their patience and understanding with my “events” and while I know they may not get it at the moment, in time, i’m certain the integrity of my legacy and our efforts on behalf of so many others will clearly reveal to them a dad and a series of events they can be most proud of.   Thanks for being there last night Andy!  And today is Brandon’s birthday, turning 19…i’ll see him Friday when i go to Western to pick him up for thanksgiving break. 

Well, I continue to recover from the ride with sleep still very much interrupted but nothing I cant cope with.  Karl has me eating a bowl of oatmeal just before bed time so as to pacify the hormonal switch in my brain that goes off when my body is transitioning to a deeper state of rest, and which invariably wakes me up.  It will be several weeks yet, but all will get back to normal soon….I’ve been doing long rides for the last year and spending alot of time on that bike.  I’ve got a void now that I’m trying to fill and I ‘m doing so with clients at the club and formulating plans to perhaps take the magic of what we’ve accomplished on the bike to the next level.  I’ll announce more details on the formulation of a possible foundation that might anchor my attempt to keep the spirit of RideGeorgeRide alive for years to come….lets get into the business of raising real money for real people and real causes that we can reach out and touch.   I can see the vision but want to chat w/more supporters about it before we make any formal announcements so pls stay tuned. 

Its evening now and time for rest….i’ve yet to turn the heat on in my place, which I traditionally do.  I like to see how long i can go before I turn on the heat.  Thats why we have blankets and sweatshirts i suppose….doing my part to conserve our natural resources.  I hope to write more later as my reflection process continues to invoke memories and the like.  I hope I see many from the ride in the near future but until our paths cross again, be safe in your endeavors and know that I think of so many of you quite often….you wont be forgotten!  Thanks for listening……G