Live Your Dream

In February, I shared with the world the history of my battles with depression over the years and of our mission to use the Race Across America as a platform to encourage others to SpeakUp! about anxiety and depression through our partnership with the Cameron K Gallagher Foundation. We would like to thank the Louis Garneau team for their support upon learning of my/our story. As demonstrated through their acts of compassion and encouragement, they truly want everyone to live your dream. I am excited to announce today, Louis Garneau as the official helmet, shoes and clothing sponsor for RAAM 2017.

 "As a company, we want to help individuals realize their dreams. That spirit has been at the heart of everything we have done since our inception in 1983. One man’s Olympic dream was challenged by his lack of functional cycling gear. So, he made his own stuff and kept chasing. Through our own journey as a company, we’ve met challenges and seized opportunities to realize our objectives along the way. Today, your goals, your passion, and your dreams fuel the continuation of our drive for great fit, comfort, performance and quality.

Whatever the road, path, or trail you take, live your dream…We’ll do our best to help you get there!" 

If you are anyone you know would like to join Louis Garneau and our team as a sponsor, please contact us here. 

Thankful Thursday

Armed with my favorite pen made by my father and the list of addresses of those who came to the Lighten Up Inc. Cooking Class fundraiser for Race Across America 2017, benefiting the Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation I spent the morning scribing thank you cards.

If you weren't able to attend but would like to show your support please consider making a donation on our crowdrise page here. 

https://www.crowdrise.com/andywelchraceacrossamericaspeakup/fundraiser/ckgfoundation

Not a PR - TBT

I was going through some things the other day when I came across the race recap video from the 2013 RAAM Challenge - Minnesota. It's been said by many, we learn more from losing than we do for winning. That was certainly the case on that day. I learned that my body can tolerate a lot more discomfort than I thought when I awoke that morning. The crew learned how to adapt to my ailments and create an atmosphere where despite the cards being stacked against us we were still able to overcome. 

This week for Throwback Thursday, I re-present to you the video from the race. If you want to read more about that race, UltraRaceNews did an article about it as well which can be found here. 

It was my birthday!

Over the years, birthdays have become more meaningful for different reasons. They used to be about everyone celebrating the day the greatest birthday present for my mom came into this world. That's right, my mom and I share the same birthday and it's awesome! Now that I am old and wise(r) (at least half is correct) birthdays are about spending time relaxing with friends and family while reflecting on both the past and future. 

The weekend started off with a great ride around Lake Chesdin with my boy Quinoa. It is one of my favorite training rides and I was excited to share it with him. It included a little bit of everything, tailwinds, headwinds, a bonk and a number of signs that made us laugh.  

On Saturday which was the actual day of birth, I started by running around town in my favorite suit. It was also the first suit I ever wore. Just kidding, I'm saving that for my 80th birthday which will be here before we know it. It was however a day full of being outside, with friends gathered around the dualing dragons while a couple of yard birds were being grilled up. No meal is complete without dessert which means someone threw some strawberries on the grill to be the topping to Jenn's awesome strawberry pound cake. 

And because no birthday or any day is complete without baseball we got to sit field side for the Flying Squirrels game courtesy of my boy Betsy. Someone even told the Squirrels is was my birthday so they set off some fireworks after the game. You're welcome Richmond ;P

We finished off the weekend on Sunday volunteering for a fundraiser for the Massey Cancer Center, Pedal for Petals. Our dear friend, Amy Williams organized a beautiful ride through the City of Richmond that featured stops planned out to view the different hidden gardens within the city. Due to Jenn carrying around our little miracle in her belly and not being able to ride she volunteered with some of the administrative aspects of the ride while I got to lead a group dubbed the Flamorphins. The name came about because half of the group were local triathletes with Pink Flamingos taped to their handlebars while the other half were rocking Endorphin Fitness jerseys. 

                                                       The Endorphin half of the Flamorphins

Thank you to everyone who took time out of their day this weekend to wish me a happy birthday either on Facebook, text message, phone call or in person. It was a weekend I won't soon forget!