Giving back...and taking my stand

Jon "Blazeman" Blais' Ironman 2005 video

No one close to me has ever been affected by ALS, aka Lou Gherig's disease. But, I'm a sucker for helping good causes and giving my part, so yesterday I participated - and provided PR support - for Dallas' Cycle for ALS, put together for the second time by local athlete Stacy Mullikin.

The group at REI Dallas

What an amazing couple hours I spent, sweating my heart out and watching the chilling, inspirational video of Blais' iconic Ironman Hawaii finish. He completed the race 3 months after being diagnosed. In 2006, he returned, but in a wheelchair. In May 2007, he passed away.

Being lazy DOES suck.

And boy, it was really steamy in that room, because my towel was SOAKED by the end of spin (my husband came to 'rescue' me). And I was just hoping that the guys next to me didn't think they were in a natatorium, because I know I was sweating out chlorine from that morning's swim (2700 yards!). Yuck.

A good team

No one survives from ALS. Four hundred and eleven people are diagnosed every day. Shocking numbers for a disease that doesn't get enough limelight.

Next year, make sure you take a few hours in a city near you (22 cities across the U.S. and Canada took part on Saturday) and support what Blazeman believed in.