John Luce's Team In Training Page
"If you're too busy to help those around you succeed, you're too busy".
Welcome to my Team in Training home page.
I am training to participate in the 100 mile cycling endurance event as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's TNT. It is estimated there are over 785,000 Americans who currently have blood cancers and many more will be diagnosed this year. Leukemia is a leading cause of death in children under age 15. My mission is to raise money to help cure leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and Hodgkin's disease. I plan to complete this 'cycle century' in honor of all individuals who are battling these devastating blood cancers. However I will be raising money and cycling for a very special person whose name is Brianna.
Brianna is from Rochester, NY and turned 11 years old earlier this year. She was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in January of 2006. Brianna is currently a little more than half way through her treatments and doing well. Brianna has a twin, Arianna, and an older sister Kristen. As testimony to Brianna's determination, she has remained on the honor roll throughout her treatments the last 18 months!! Brianna enjoys reading, writing, games and puzzles. She also enjoys sports, especially basketball, and can’t wait to start playing again after her treatments are finished. I am honored to cycle a century for her!
These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!
Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance the Society's mission.
I hope you'll visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support!
2/27 - Training has begun in earnest. The team, nine individuals from the Rochester area, meets Thursdays at the RAC in Henrietta. Once the weather breaks we will head outside. Other than the RAC, I spend 4-5 days a week at the new YMCA in Penfield. If your ever out there, stop into the Spinning room and hop on a cycle. Thanks so much for the generous sponsorships to date. It makes my job easier!!!
3/9 - Training is going well, however the support from family, friends and co-workers has been absolutely tremendous!!! The raffle of a Buffalo Bills helmet went extremely well. 28 fans bought tickets for the helmet that contained 25 Bills players, including all 3 quarterbacks from the 2006 season. The team hopes to get out on the road by the end of the month, dependant upon the weather. Once we do, please watch out for us if you're driving in the Mendon and Bristol areas.
4/11 - Training is in high gear these days. We are currently building strength and aerobic capacity and learning proper technique and rhythm to improve pedaling efficiency. The team has been out on the road only once as winter is still holding a tight grip on the Rochester region. We are all anxious to hit the road and put some 'real' miles under our behind. The century ride is only 53 days out! Our fundraising has been FANTASTIC!!! I can't thank every one enough for contributing. With 35 days left to raise funds, I hope to crush the goal of $4700. I am currently raffling an authentic NFL jersey. The winner will pick the team and player of their choice.
4/23 - HURRAY!!!!! We have surpassed the minimum goal of $4,700.00. THANKS so very much to everyone who has contributed to this wonderful campaign. Thanks to Jeremy and his wife Beth for breaking the $4700 barrier, my friend from South Africa. Well, it's about time the weather has turned for the better around here, (keep your fingers crossed). Time to hit the road, seriously! Only 4+ weeks until the bicycles are shipped. Time is moving too quickly!!
5/7 - Training is definitely in high gear now. We only have 3 more weeks until the bicycles are shipped. The weather has been pretty decent lately and the road miles are piling up. The team meets at Powder Mills Park (look for us this Thurs) or Mendon Ponds. Yesterday was a huge 52 mile ride. We met in Mendon and rode out to Canandaigua Lake and back. I swear, we found EVERY hill there was on way out!! The team is pushing 150 miles a week now. Looking good!!! Thanks again to everyone who has supported my efforts and ultimately Brianna's and all the other patients.
5/22 - We are in the 'home stretch' of training. Last Saturday, what a beautiful day, the team conducted our longest ride. We left Mendon Ponds at 7:00 with the temp at a cold but invigorating 46 degrees! We headed south, got misplaced a wee bit (those darn country back roads) along the way, however found our way to Naples. The scenery along the way was gorgeous!! It was a hilly ride to Naples however the best (?) was yet to come. The HUGE hill on route 21, north out of Naples was our toughest test to date. The team did extremely well. All told, we rode just over 76 miles on Saturday and over 3800 feet of vertical climb!! Look out Tahoe; hear comes the Western New York and Finger Lakes Team!!
