City Coach | Coach Cane's Blog

Race Across the Window - Thank You Edition

Once in a while I come up with crazy ideas.  That's fine.  But then, rather than laughing at me, my loyal friends have my back.  Since my mother passed away in 2007, I've been intent on doing annual charitable events in her memory.  And my friends have been implausibly generous with their support.  Such was the case with the year's Race Across the Window, which benefited the Challenged Athletes Foundation.  This list is far from exhaustive, but here are some of the people I need to thank.

• Our team.  Riders Nicole Sin Quee, Jon Miles, Terry Moore, Raul Martinez Jr., Jerry Speier, Scott Towle, Gary Berard, J. Geoff Badner and Hanna Jones were awesome. They're good athletes and better friends.  They gave their time and energy to make this event happen. And Shane Neil - who just says "yes" and then asks what my latest crazy idea is - volunteered his time and spent the overnights sleeping for two hours at a time on an air mattress so that the riders could be prepared and I could go home at night.  Together we rode 3,050 and burned over 87,000 calories in 7 days, 4 hours and 6 minutes of continuous riding. It goes without saying that I couldn't have done this without them, but I'll say it anyway. I'm grateful for their support, camaraderie  and friendship. 
• JackRabbit and staff. Lee Silverman and his staff couldn't have been better.  JackRabbit provided us with space, resources, encouragement and anything else we asked for.  Without .their generosity and support we couldn't have done this
• Our friends.  Folks brought us food - thanks Roz, Sarah, Bridget, Bobby, Phil,Dan, Peter, etc.  They rode with us - thanks Globo, YMC, Matt, etc.  They set up webcam feeds so we could stay in touch 24/7 - thanks Paul.  They chatted with us on the webcam feed.  They donated money.  In so many ways they encouraged us and supported our efforts.  
• The CAF Athletes. If you're ever feeling a little tired and unmotivated, have a quick chat with Cody McCasland, Scout Bassett, Rudy Garcia-Tolson, Paul Martin, Willie Stewart, Roderick Sewell, Amy Dodson or Sarah Reinersten.  Along with Ironman giants Dave Scott and Scott Tinley, the CAF athletes came down to show their appreciation for our event.  Humility isn't always my strong suit, but it was truly humbling to meet them and to have them express their appreciation for our efforts.
• Our sponsors. Kuota, Win, Powerbar, Chomper Body, Craft, Zensah, David Niles LMT, and nuun all supplied us with products to help make our ride a little easier.
• The donors.  We're still receiving donations and tallying what had come in.  And of course we want more.  (You can still donate at RATW.kintera.org).   But we are all grateful for the donations - large and small - that will go to supporting CAF and their athletes. 

In other words, thanks everyone.

RATW Finale Visitor - Scout Bassett

We are excited to announce that Scout Bassett will be here for the finish of Race Across the Window.  We'll be done at about 5:45 today and would love to see our friends here for the finale.  If you can't make it, please consider donating at www.RATW.kintera.org.. Here's some more info on Scout.

Left and alone, Scout Bassett began her journey. At an early age, Scout lost her right leg due to severe burns. Later she was abandoned at a Chinese orphanage to endure hardship, abuse and child labor.
For years Scout hoped for something to change her fate, but her dreams seemed a lifetime away. Then when she least expected it, a miracle occurred and she was adopted by an American family at the age of seven, taking her from an uncertain future to a world of opportunity.

With help from CAF, her parents and prosthetist, Scout actively competes in triathlons. Her relationship with Sarah Reinertsen over the years has also helped her overcome many challenges. In 2007, she qualified and competed in the ITU Triathlon World Championships in Hamberg, Germany, finishing in second in her division of her first international competition for triathlon. She claimed silver again in 2008 at the Vancouver Triathlon World Championships.

Drive, determination, athletics and outstanding academic success has lead Scout to her next journey, attending UCLA on a full scholarship. She’s finished her sophomore year and has flourished with strong grades, established a large social network and acts as a Resident Assistant in the dormitories, all the while representing CAF as a spokesperson.

Scout is passionate about pursuing her athletic interests, educating people about the physically challenged and helping raise funds to allow remarkable individuals like herself to live active lifestyles. She is an inspiration for all to follow your dreams and live extraordinary lives. CAF enthusiastically supports Scouts in her athletic, personal and academic goals

RATW Ride Along with Rudy Garcia Tolson

 At 3:00 today, we're expecting a visit from Rudy Garcia-Tolson.  Please come by to meet him and donate to the Challenged Athletes Foundation in store or at www.RATW.kintera.org.

Here's Rudy's story.  

Rudy lives by a simple motto: A Brave Heart is a Powerful Weapon. He was born with rare, multiple birth defects – a combination of crippling Pterygium Syndrome, a clubfoot, webbed fingers on both hands, and a cleft lip and palate. His legs would not straighten from the knee and he was forced to crawl or push himself in a wheelchair. While other kids played outside, Rudy sat and suffered. He was an eager little boy trapped in an imperfect body. 

At age five, after 15 operations, he told his parents he wanted to move on; he would rather be a double amputee than continue to put up with what his life had become. He had both legs removed above the knee … and he's never looked back.The loss of his legs marked the beginning of his life. When Rudy was eight years old, he told the world he would swim in the 2004 Paralympic Games.

He was true to his word and brought home the Gold in the 200 Meter Individual Medley in 2004 and 2008, while shattering the world record for his class. 
Rudy continues to swim as a member of the U.S. Paralympic Elite Team. He’s completed numerous triathlons individually and was the first bilateral above-knee amputee to finish an Ironman® 70.3 using a standard bike. Rudy has also won several prestigious awards, including the Arete Courage in Sports Award and the Casey Martin Award from Nike. His latest athletic aspiration – to be the first bilateral above-knee amputee to finish the Ford Ironman® World Championship this October in Kona, Hawaii! 

Through his example, Rudy has mentored other amputee kids and helped CAF raise more than $21 million to ensure his challenged peers have the same opportunities as he did.

RATW Visitor - Cody McCasland

On Tuesday we had a visit from Cody McCasland. The riders were starting to get a little tired, but meeting this young man helped keep us inspired and reminded us of why we're doing this. It was great to meet him (and his family).  Here's some more on Cody. 

Born with a condition called sacral agenesis which resulted in missing his tibias, seven year-old Cody McCasland’s legs were amputated through the knee when he was just 15 months old.  He showed his true colors when only two months later he was walking on prosthetics and mobile like any other kid his age.  Eager to run like the other kids, Cody received his first pair of running legs by the age of five and hasn’t stopped since.

Cody and the McCasland family were first introduced to the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) in 2007 when they attended a CAF Catch a Rising Star mobility and running clinic.  He worked with certified prosthetist and gait specialist Peter Harsch and elite challenged athletes at the clinic to improve his running and gait while using his new running legs.  Just months later, he entered nearly every track event he could at his first Endeavor Games at the University of Central Oaklahoma.  Also an avid swimmer, he brought home several gold medals for his age and classification in both disciplines.

With aspirations of following Rudy Garcia-Tolson’s footsteps of competing in the Paralympics in swimming, the possibilities for Cody are endless.  But, even at only seven years-old, he’s already reached great heights.  Over the past five years, he’s raised more than $100,000 for CAF and the hospital that provides his care. He’s spoken and inspired countless individual through national media exposure on Inside Edition, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Oprah Whinfrey Show; and motivates our wounded warriors with visits to the military hospitals as a spokesperson for CAF. 

His smile is infectious. His disposition is always cheerful. And the world is his oyster!

Sarah Reinertsen - JackRabbit In-Store Appearance, June 8

We're happy to announce that Sarah Reinertsen will be at JackRabbit to support Race Across the Window Tuesday at 6p.  

Anyone who donates $20 on Tuesday night will receive a 15% discount in the shop.  

Here's some info on Sarah.

Sarah was born “different”. Her left leg deformed by a condition called proximal femoral focal deficiency (PFFD), Sarah wore a stiff, cumbersome leg brace until she was seven. At that point, the decision was made to amputate.

After the operation, Sarah tried to be like all her friends; she was a Brownie. She was a great student. She had a smile that lit up a room. But she could never overcome being “different”. And nowhere was that more apparent than in gym class. She came in last on field day. She was picked last for teams. Teachers and coaches refused to include her in regular play with the other kids. Instead, Sarah would kick a ball against the wall. Alone.

Life changed for Sarah when, at age 11, she competed in her first disabled track meet. Sarah lined up next to other girls missing limbs. When the gun went off for the 100 Meter dash, she ran hard and finished first. For the first time, she experienced the thrill of competition – and of winning and her life would never be the same.

Today, Sarah focuses on triathlons, where she has broken new ground and gone where no amputee woman has attempted before – the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Hawaii (a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run.) In 2005, Sarah became the first woman to finish this grueling test on an artificial leg, finishing in a remarkable 15:05. In 2006, she was the first person with a physical challenge on the hit show, CBS's Amazing Race. Then in August of 2007, Sarah became a World Champion, winning gold in the Physically Challenged Olympic Distance World Championship in Hamburg Germany.

Now Sarah makes a living as a motivational speaker, showing others that no matter your challenge, you can achieve your dreams. She also acts as a CAF spokesperson sharing her knowledge and experience with kids and other challenged athletes.

RATW Video

Check out this nifty video produced by JackRabbit's own Matt Duelka.

Race Across The Window 2010 Part 1 from Matt Duelka on Vimeo.

Race Across the Window Sponsors

As our faithful readers no doubt know, the stationary 3,000 mile Race Across the Window begins Thursday at noon. Our team of eight riders will ride 24/7 until we've finished our virtual cross-country ride to raise funds for the Challenged Athletes Foundation. We're thankful for all the support we've gotten already. So far our sponsors include:

• Kuota will provide us with three bikes for use by sponsors, CAF athletes, celebrities and other guests to ride along with our team.
• Craft Performance Wear is giving us some great gear to wear for the ride. 
• Zensah is providing compression sleeves to help us recover between rides.
• Chomper Body is giving us their chamois cream to keep our personal regions happy.
• WIN Detergent will help us keep our clothes clean and smelling good despite 3 hours of riding per day.
• NUUN is giving the riders their active hydration tablets to keep our electrolytes up.

Don't forget to follow us on facebook and twitter, and stay tuned to the blog for RATW specific updates

Race Across the Window 2010

Race Across The Window 2010 Part 1 from Matt Duelka on Vimeo.

At noon on Thursday, June 3, our team of eight riders will begin a simulated 3,000 miles ride on Computrainers in the store window of JackRabbit Sports' Union Square location. We'll ride 24/7 for a week or so, until we complete the task.

This year there are a few changes. First and foremost, the event will benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation. CAF does great work to help people with physical disabilities pursue an active lifestyle through physical fitness and competitive athletics. 

Please donate if you can. The process is simple and secure. 

Don't forget to follow our progress on Facebook and Twitter. We'll post updates on the ride as well as raffles, discounts for donors at JackRabbit, and other incentives.

Thanks to our sponsors - Nuun for portably electrolytehydration, WIN for sports detergent, Zensah for compression sleeves, Craft for clothing, Chomper Body for providing chamois cream and Kuota for supplying loaner bikes for guest riders.

Race Across the Window 2010 Roster

Plans for RATW 2.0 are progressing nicely. We're expecting some prominent guest riders and appearances on the second bike to help add to the excitement. But as before, the core of the event is the relay team of eight who will be riding 24/7 for over a week. After last year's success, I'm glad to report that seven of the eight riders from 2009 will be returning.  This year's roster includes Terry Moore, Raul Martinez Jr., Gary Berard, Scott Towle, Jon Miles, Jerry Speier, yours truly, and this years addition, Nicole Sin Quee.  And for those of you who are wondering about Shane's absence, he will still be manning the overnight shift and minding the store, so he is still very much part of the team.  Details on rider shifts, as well as bios will follow.  

The ride begins at noon on June 3 at JackRabbit Sports' Union Square location, and benefits the Challenged Athletes Foundation.  

Best. Photo. Ever.

Over the past two seasons we've done fundraising events for two great charities - Locks of Love and The Young Survival Coalition.   We're still working out the details of this year's event, but it will benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation, which raises money to help people with physical disabilities pursue an active lifestyle through physical fitness and athletic competition.

I'll fill you in on the details as they become available.  In the meantime, if you're wondering why we've chosen CAF, or if you just need a little inspiration for your workout, look no further than 5-year old Tim Houston, who is pictured here finishing his first triathlon.

More soon.