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Race Across America

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Competing in this year’s Race Across America was an experience that, for me, involved just about every conceivable human emotion and condition: Joy and sadness; comfort and pain; periods of strength and endurance, punctuated by moments of abject exhaustion when I could not imagine turning the pedals one more time.

Rob in Cortez, CO - 6-11-2010

Race Across America (RAAM) is a 3,000 mile bicycle race from California to Maryland. The entire time I was on the bike, I thought of my mother, Jean, who lost her battle with stage four lung cancer last autumn after four brave years of living strong with the disease. Any time I felt sorry or tired or sad for myself during the race, I thought about her and how she lived her life to the absolute fullest, right to the very end. I would snap out of my funk, shift into a higher gear, and get going. If she could persevere for four years, I could suck it up for another few days.

And it was not just those four years with cancer, but her entire life that has served as a guiding principle for how to live. She was smart and brave and funny and devoted and caring and supportive and she never, ever complained about anything – including cancer.

This year’s RAAM was my fifth start and my third finish. It will likely be my last. I wanted to make it about more than just racing across the country on a bike. That is why I chose to help raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. I think of all those people, like my mom, who choose to live their lives bravely and with dignity in the face of such a hideous disease and I was proud and honored to wear my LIVESTRONG bracelet for every pedal stroke from coast-to-coast.

- Rob Morlock

Bio: Rob Morlock is 46 years and is a police officer in Danbury, CT.

  • http://UltraRacePics.com John Foote

    Thanks for everything you’re doing for the Lance Armstrong Foundation Rob. A cycling buddy of mine recently took on the beast that is cancer, and won. I know that he received great info from the Lance Armstrong Foundation when he needed it.

    I saw Rob several times during RAAM and I can tell you that he is a true warrior for the cause.

  • Sharon Mooney

    Rob, Thanks for using your ride for fundraising for the LAF. It has been a huge source of information and strength for me in my cancer battle. You are helping to spread the word to others that there is an incredible resource available.
    LIVESTRONG.

  • kristi potts

    i just read your story…you are an amazing man. with the true love a son has to give to his ill mother. and the courageous strenth and commitment you have given and shown towards your mother….god bless you. kristi potts.

  • http://www.parrabuddy.blogspot.com skippy

    With limited resources and no income i continue to ride the “Major Pro tour routes” principally for “Physically Challenge Sport”!
    More and more “Wounded Warriors ” will attend London 2012 Paralympic Games and there will be “Livestrong members there as well !
    Athens 2004 Olympic was one place i met an “Advocate for Livestrong” , he was there competing for USA in the sailing after receiving a $5000 grant from Livestrong, he was also in recovery from Cancer which had not been good preparation for the event !
    Ken Hardacre was hanging around outside the Jesolo Hotel in 2009, before the Giro d’Italia began wearing 8 livestrong bracelets. At that time he was quite stout and when i saw him again at Pau during this Tour de France i only recognised the 8 Livestrong bracelets, as he had lost so much bulk during the period he was receiving Cancer Treatment. Apart from looking weary i would have said that his new shape will be good for him but then who knows how long he will have to continue to fight what Cancer sends his way !
    THESE blogs are inspirational BUT how can we continue to follow them as there is no link for the updates! I logged on to Dan Robinson and want to follow the story to conclusion but cannot nor has anyone else so far found/offered a link!
    Anyone who is planning a cycle event and is able to help my expenses/funding is welcome to contact me on skippi@ausi.com currently i am planning to be at the Vuelta starting in Sevilla on 28th Aug and would love to be at the Worlds in Geelong afterwards.
    Travelling at the moment is limited to the bike or hitch hike so you can see that Air Travel expenses need to be covered to get me to some of the events where i could contribute my efforts.

  • Ken Hardacre

    Hello Rob, I had my own cancer treatment running upto the New Year from september 09. I am not strong, but I managed a ride to the top of the Tourmalet (part of the Tour de France course this year) It will take me a long time to get fit enough to ride 3000 miles. You have my admiration and best wishes. My friend above is a consumate champion for aiding sport of the disabled and tries hard to get to the big cycling events to advance his cause. Support to all those with illness and infirmity is something, we need to strive for in our way. Livestrong and best wishes to all.