Team LIVESTRONG Story: Darryl

Jun 02, 2011 by Guest

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The following is a Team LIVESTRONG story from a LIVESTRONG Challenge participant. There are many events you can take part in with Team LIVESTRONG. Go to our website to learn more about the run, walk, ride and tri events.

My name is Darryl Kotyk. I’m originally from Canada, but now living in the beautiful city of Austin, Texas. I am taking part in the LIVESTRONG Challenge Austin, doing the 90 Mile bike.

Up until last year?s challenge, I?ve always been a solo participant and riding in the memory of my Wife?s cousin Jordan who lost his battle with cancer at the age of 15. But with the creation of my cycling blog www.lovingthebike.com in February 2010 came the formation of a LIVESTRONG Challenge team, and last year we rode together for this cause. Creating a team allowed us to band together in our fundraising efforts, ride strong, and have a great time. Cyclists? coming together to support a common effort is a beautiful thing?and it made my LIVESTRONG Challenge experience even better, which I didn?t think was possible.

As a guy who just simply loves to ride his bike, my training and cycling is based mostly on getting out there as often as possible and pushing myself more and more each time. Although I don?t race competitively, I ride as if I?m preparing for a huge event and doing whatever I can to become a stronger and faster cyclist. I ride for me?.okay, and I also ride because I love to eat. But in 2005 when I took part in my first LIVESTRONG Challenge, I realized that riding for something bigger than myself was a very cool thing to do. I?m originally from Canada and although there are several charity rides to take part in over there, I never seemed to get involved with any. But when I moved to Austin, Texas and found out about a ride that was being put on to support LIVESTRONG and the Lance Armstrong Foundation, I took notice and just had to get involved.

My biggest advice for those facing cancer is to LIVESTRONG. That word says it best. This applies to fighting cancer, chasing your dreams, and living each and every day to the fullest. I think that many of us tend to loose sight of the bigger picture and get caught up in our day to day busy lives. We all need to let the dust settle every so often so we can regroup, remember what our priorities are, and get out there and LIVESTRONG.

Darryl Kotyk
Team LIVESTRONG 2011