100 miles in Tahoe for Chris...

It's crazy to think that last Sunday, exactly one week ago today, I was 3/4 of the way through my 100 mile "Ride for Chris". 71 miles into my ride I was pulling into the lunch stop at America's Most Beautiful Ride.

I remember feeling that I deserved a "decent" break. Despite what my Team-in-Training coaches told me earlier, this course was not "mostly flat". Yeah I know, coaches all say the same thing, they don't "lie", they just "intentionally misrepresent".

Although I didn't "lolly-gag" at all around lunch stop, I did take off my helmet, loosened my cleats, sat down, and ate a sandwich. Big mistake. The view was spectacular and at this point I was feeling quite confident and accomplished. And then I got back on my bike.

My seat felt like a granite bolder that I could not get off of. Exactly
29 miles to the finish line and I knew the next 18 miles were all uphill to the top, the last big climb... Spooner Junction @ 7044 feet. With just a few miles back into the ride, my now cooled off leg muscles started cramping up. I really felt like quitting. Negative thoughts started entering my mind. Then I changed my focus to my friends, my family... and Chris.

If you'd like to see a few more photos of my Ride for Chris you can click here:

http://flickr.com/photos/26096217@N08/sets/72157605509698207/

Looking back, I'm humbled I had the opportunity to make even a small difference in the lives of blood cancer patients and their families. Patients who are fighting daily and praying for better treatments. Real people who are relying on scientific research that will eventually lead them to the ultimate prize... a cure.

I don't know why Chris had to die. However... the stories I learned of how Chris lived his life and the numerous examples of his personal character have impacted my life in a very positive way and I will forever be changed because of him. It was a real honor to ride in memory of him.

Thank you to everyone who helped with "RideForChris.com" Especially my Top Donors. Thank you for your encouragement, support and your financial contribution to "Ride for Chris". Everyone of you made a difference and showed that someone like Chris is worth remembering...

I know I'll "NEVER FORGET"

Ride for Chris - The You Tube Movie

"Ride for Chris - YouTube Movie"

My firefighter on Fresno Fire Truck 17B Fred Martinez and his son Max produced this 6-minute movie and put it on You Tube. Thanks guys for all your hard work. And thank you Derek for opening yourself up to honor your friend Chris. I am truly humbled to ride in memory of a person like him.

You can view this video on this site. It's found at the bottom of this page or you can click the title on this post and go diectly to the YouTube site.

If you haven't done so already, please show support for our cause... click the link on the right of this page and donate.

Training thus far...

Sheryl Bavoso, our Central Valley Cycle Team-in-Training Manager told us in the beginning to be sure and log our miles. Over the course of our 4-month training she said we would amaze ourselves at exactly how many miles we'd cover. I just added up my miles and she was right. Over the last month I've rode over 316 miles on my bike. And most of those miles have been in the hills.

It's been everything from hot, cold and even wet. It's been physically challenging and it has also been life-changing. I've been dropping body fat and it's nice hearing people say that I look good. I feel even better. It's been especially challenging because of the time commitment to my already busy calendar and the sacrifice away from my family. It's been just about everything but easy. It's also been worth all of it.

I recently put a picture of Chris on my bike for inspiration and the more I learn about Leukemia, the more devastating and common place I find it. Someone is diagnosed with Leukemia every 10 minutes and it's one of the most common cancers among children. These diseases really do strike everyone, good people from all ages and walks of life. The good news however is that the survival rates in these patients have risen dramatically over the last 40 years. In the 1960's the survival rate for all leukemias was just 14%, now it is well over 50%.

Please don't procrastinate, we need your help. Take the time right now and make your tax deductible and potentially life-saving donation.

Do so in the memory and honor of Chris Johnson and with the hope that we can find a cure and stop these devastating diseases. Imagine if the research you help fund is the cure we are looking for. If you have already given, THANK YOU! I really do appreciate you, the encouragement you've given and your support of a noble cause... to find a cure.

My ride for Chris...

Hi, my name is Jonathan Lusk and I'm a Fire Captain assigned on Truck 17"B" for the Fresno Fire Department.

I'm currently participating with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's "Team in Training" to complete a 100-mile bike ride around Lake Tahoe called "America's Most Beautiful Ride".

I'm participating in this event on June 1st, 2008 in honor and in memory of Fresno County Cal Fire, Engineer Chris Johnson.
In September 2007, while waiting to receive a bone marrow transplant, Chris unfortunately lost his battle with Leukemia. 32 years old, Chris was a husband to 28 year old Rebecca, a father to 3 year-old CJ and a brother firefighter to all of us in the California Fire Service.

As a member of "Team In Training" my goal is to raise $50,000 in memory of Chris to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's mission to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma. It's a big goal, and a fitting tribute to our fallen hero.

Please help... Click the link in the right column. Join this cause and make a donation in memory of Chris. Help improve the quality and the chances for life for these cancer patients and their families.

Your financial support is needed to cross their ultimate finish line... a cure!