Race Day.....

 Race time.

About a week ago I had my first competitive Duathlon race (5km run, 26km ride, 3km run) my good mate, Matthew Collins and I entered this event. It was something that I wanted to see if I could do this and complete.

I got back to running about a month ago. Trying my hardest to get the running fitness up in this time. I knew my bike leg would be fine. My strength and bike fitness was most likely at its best. Matty and I were clocking up some km’s hitting some big long rides in the past two months.

OUR DRIVE.  

I was feeling fit…….in between entering and the race I was due for scans and results after the race. I had scans the Friday before the race……I was feeling fine and not expecting any negative news. The training and focus on the race was a very good distraction. I did my usual week of scanaxiety moments…….annoying Lisa with…..’Can you feel this lump’…….. ‘do you think this cough I have is tumour related?’.......I have no idea how she puts up with my moods and anxiety levels during scan week…….I need to realize while I am working full time, keeping fit, healthy, have no night sweats or weight loss then I should see myself as in a good shape that I need to see positivity and relax with my scans…….BUT A PERSON WITH CANCER OR MELANOMA CAN’T DO THIS……..Those who know this feeling and can relate to this will know what I am talking about.

Anyway, scans done…..focus on the race…….Sunday came and  I was pumped to be competing again…..set the gear out in transition ready to go. I was nervous but not scan nervous…….for the first time since 2011 I was race nervous.  Matty was doing his best to distract my mind…..but to no avail. I lined up and hit the pace when the gun went…….I was third into the first 1km and was pushing hard, but felt good…..5km done in 20min 47sec…..very happy with this time and my effort.

Third onto the bike and was feeling good…….. just waiting for Matty to pass me on his TimeTrial (TT) bike…….. ‘yes he had gone all out’…..ZIPP racing wheels….TT bike…. The only thing missing was his ‘Tear Drop’ aero helmet. He caught the second place athlete and I within the 5km of the bike leg. I sat on his wheel for little while…… trash talking him, what mates do!

Eventually he decided it was too dangerous for three guys to be taking turns to push the course. He kindly dropped the pace and fell off for a little while. We came into transition…..I was second off the bike…..got the runners on and started running, with my helmet on……rookie error. Instead of taking it off and throwing it……I ran back the 50m to drop it. By this time Matty had ran past….. trash talking me…….The end result Matty 2^nd, 3^rd for me and something I am very happy about.

We headed home….Matty  driving and thankfully modest in his effort in beating my by 30seconds……I got home and this is where I felt things change……given all my cranial surgeries…..I started to feel very ordinary….my head was hurting and I was feeling spaced out and unable to see accurately……My world felt like it was going to go pear shape….I was stressed. I decided to lie down and rest. This resulted in me falling asleep for a few hours. I think I needed it.

Nothing was concerning and all turned out ok…..but what I learned from this is that I am fit and able to race and be competitive, however, my brain is not ready and I have decided to give up the running again and will no longer run…..just keep my cycling going…… which has no effect on my head…..I will enter some crit bike races.

My competitive nature won’t go away and I will fight to keep racing but in another format. This goes for Melanoma….this race will be won and my reward will be beating this beast to see my girls grow up and spend many days, months and years with my best friend and love of my life…..Lisa.

I achieved one goal for this year to race my two passions cycling and running. 

My other goals are slowing being ticked off….they will be achieved!!!

ONCOLOGIST: 

Monday came and I went to the oncologist for my results ….. news was good….. I have added the report as an image for people to see what a Melanoma Patient may go through every month or three months depending on the scan time.

In short my results presented with no new tumours and my head was clear of tumours, just scar tissue explaining my head reaction the day before.

The small lymph node that is behind my lungs has grown 0.8cm one way and 0.2cm the other way….my oncologist isn’t concerned and thinks the drug Dabrafanib drug is working really well, but we are going to review this in 4 weeks time when he looks over my scans from the past 12 months. If he feels it is worth acting on then I’ll have a hit of radiation to get this spot gone…..as I have said many times I don’t even know it is there.

Chances like racing and doing what I can do day in and day out are constant motivating moments that make me marvel at the life I have……. If you had of told me in October 2012 that I would have placed 3^rd in a duathlon in 2014 or even be working full time, cycling 180km a week……I would’ve have laughed in your face, I was unable to walk, communicate, or function as a normal then 37 YO male…….but it is cancer that I am laughing at……..I am not being complacent or relaxed I am being me and getting everything I used to do back into my life…..keeping things normal.

Lisa is back running and keeping busy….the girls are great and I am looking forward to spending the next two weeks off work with school holidays doing many things with them……

Also another important matter my AFL team the Mighty Hawks are going well. Sitting second on the ladder and looking ok for the seasons end. 

Short Clip of my Girls and their friends singing in the 

car to Frozen. Moments like these are enjoyable and I love these times (flash driven so might not play on an iPad). 

My friend who was diagnosed with cancer a month ago and someone I have been visiting whilst they were in hospital is doing extremely well……it has been great to be able to share my experiences with cancer and guiding this person through what is a challenging time for her and her young family….. Keep on fighting!

Don't forget to donate to my mates Jay Allen and Andrew Rust's Melanoma Fundraiser. They are walking 900km from Sydney to Melbourne in July link is here. 900km walk

REMEMBER TO HUG YOUR LOVED ONE'S XXX

Time to reflect.....

Many times in your life you have times to reflect, but how often do we stop and really reflect?

Autumn has passed and we head towards winter…..cold, wet and many moments of feeling the chills in our bones……. Those who don’t like the cold will head north and find warmth. But for those who stick it out, warm up with: soups, open fires, blankets, heating, hot drinks, coffee and even food.

Question: 

Did you look back and reflect on the beauty that autumn brings?

I did and this it was amazing……riding in the early hours of the morning I would stop and look at the deciduous trees shedding their autumn burnt orange leaves and the site of a brisk sunrise, fog rolling over the hills as I ascend a climb……We need to stop breathe and admire the surroundings. These moments I see and I am very grateful for being here to enjoy and see life in a beautiful way.

On one of my recent rides with Matty we hit some hills and rather big climbs………Once we caught our breath, we saw to the distance rain coming…..but in this misty rain was a magical rainbow (as you can see from the image). We both stopped and savored the moment, took a photo and admired what amazing surroundings we have. I will admit, seeing this rainbow made me reflect and think of Scott De Young and his family.

Seeking warmth this winter is around you….hug your children, husband or wife and family. This is the best warmth of all……my girls hugs when I come home from work or as they go to bed, make me realize I am here for a long time…….Lisa’s hugs are the one’s that warm my heart forever!

Zahlia, our youngest, had her 3^rd birthday back in May, a Peppa Pig party……Lisa, as usual created an amazing Peppa Pig cake and platter of cupcakes and sweets (images below)…. Zahlia had an amazing day. Her big sisters were great, helped unwrap presents, made Zahlia feel very special. Another moment in my journey, I am very happy to be around for…… time with family in these moments and milestones are special.

Birthday Girl

My gorgeous Girls.

I'm a lucky man.

WORK.....

I have been busy……I am working hard at school. It is report writing time at the moment…..I have also been working outside school pursuing my passion with iPads and Education. I was fortunate enough to represent my school and Apple by presenting at the Doncaster Apple Store (images below) in an iPad Assessment/Learning workshop. By the way all the jokes about the pants I am wearing in the photo have all been used….so don’t bother…. I also worked with Pearson Education and hosted a two Webinars on Assessment Apps and Learning…..again opportunities I am jumping at.

My health is good….my recent blood tests came back ticking all the right boxes. I am feeling great….still cycling a lot, around 180km a week, hitting the gym and I even got back running again doing around 5km a week….just keeping fit and healthy.

Matty and I are planning to race a few Duathlons soon… these are: Run, Bike, Run…..I’ll keep you all posted on our efforts.

Lisa is back treating again and trying her hardest to run...but not luck. She's going to the gym, swimming and walking a lot. 

I have scans in three weeks time…..at the moment I am not that nervous…..but  I am sure I will be the week leading up to them.

People whom I bump into often ask me, 'how do you manage to keep so active and not tire?'

I truly believe positive attitude/mindset and focus is the answer to everything…..and if you really want something that bad you will work hard to keep it…..I want to live, beat Melanoma, see my girls grow up and be with my best friend, my wife, for a long time…..this means living healthy and being fit/active.

This also brings me to a friend of mine who has a troubling health situation at the moment……my message to this person is….. stay positive, fight and enjoy everything around you.

The message for everyone else is enjoy what is around you. See the beauty in your day……. During this winter and the cold days/months……seek warmth from those close to you.

Remember to hug your loved one's XXX

TOUGH MONTH.

It has been an interesting and challenging Month. Mother’s Day was a special day/weekend. I spent the Saturday before Mother’s Day with my mum having a wonderful family dinner at our place. My mum has worked most Mother’s Days, and seeing her on Mother’s Day is sometimes challenging. This year I was keen to have the family over on the Saturday to spend time with mum. Mum, like most mothers’, is the support in the family. She has sacrificed so much for us and has been an amazing support to the family. It was wonderful to spend this time with her.

Lisa had a sensational Mother’s Day also. The girls spoiled her and we spent the morning walking our wonderful, beautiful and spectacular suburb, following the Yarra River that peacefully runs along the bottom of our street. It was a beautiful morning and this made the time together even more special. It isn’t until you take the time to look around and see the beauty around us…..something people do need to take more time to do.

I was also lucky enough to have flown up to Sydney in April to visit the Australian Melanoma Institute. It was an opportunity to tour this incredible facility, which made me very envious and in admiration of what was in this place and how much work is being done in the research and treatment of Melanoma. It is a groundbreaking place and I wished Melbourne had something similar and as advanced.

In my journey with Melanoma, I have met some inspiring and motivated people who have either suffered or are suffering from this insidious disease. The Melanoma Support Group has been a place that has opened the avenues for me to meet many motivated and positive people…….fighters like Elise Beaton and her husband Jason. Elise is stage 4 fighter and was diagnosed when she was pregnant to her second child. She is someone who is fit, healthy and very positive. As a person she is amazing and as a mother I am sure she is an inspiration to her children. Jason is her support and the two are so motivated and focused on moving forward and enjoying life. Others in the group are also fighters and inspiring in how they tackle their scans and a life with this disease.

This brings me to the most inspiring and toughest person I have ever known….. Scott De Young, sadly lost his battle with Melanoma about a week and half ago. Elise, Jason, Lisa and I attended the service and we were all emotionally moved. It was a fitting tribute to a sensational and tough man. His battle was a roller coaster of up’s and down’s, but the whole time he never complained and fought hard……in his words, ‘Whatever it Takes’. He has left behind a legacy, by having the his fight he took head on to be given the Yervoy drug…..his fight has seen the drug placed onto the PBS and this has opened up the treatment in Australia for many late Stage 4 fighters. More importantly he leaves behind a wonderful wife and three beautiful children. Kim is a remarkable woman who has been a huge support and positive force in Scott’s fight. Meeting Kim and Scott has given, Lisa and I an even more positive focus on fighting hard, ‘Whatever it Takes’. We are here now to support Kim and the family.

Scott and Kim. 

My work is extremely busy and now it is report writing time therefore it is only going to become even more hectic. I have been exploring my passion of E-Learning. I am pursuing further with this professional part of my life……In the next few months I will be hosting iPad based Webinars for an education consultancy company. I am also presenting at a couple of conferences…….this is exciting and another step forward for me to ensure my life is as normal and can be…….and not associated as someone who has Cancer. 


My class working on some iPad work I have created. My Passions. 

Lisa is great, however very frustrated as she is still injured and unable to run therefore, gym and swimming are her only ways she can exercise. Her work is also going well and being a mum is always busy.

The girls are fun and like Lisa busy with school, kinder, gymnastics, swimming, kids parties and general life. The small things I love doing with the girls are always treasured moments. Spending time having our regular Saturday milkshakes are moments that we look forward too along with our usual Saturday morning Pancakes. Treasuring these moments are parts of my life that I lock away and keep forever…….and make me appreciate life, setting my state of mind to being here for a ‘long time’. We all should enjoy every moment we have and savor these snippets of life for your personal satisfaction.

My love of cycling has maintained and I am still riding around 200km a week….. and loving it. My mate and training partner has been assisting where possible. He has had some days where he has missed a ride or two……I enjoy our rides and the fitness I have gained from cycling……I must say I am keen to get into a race or two soon…..its a matter of when and finding the time.

As for my health and scans…….the body is great I am fit and feeling amazing. My bloods have been outstanding and I am due for scans in about a month…..I am out to three monthly scans now and for me this is nervous times…..but also rewarding because it means things are going well.

I have always said that cancer has opened many windows for me…….I have been approached to speak at a community forum in the Greensborough area on Men’s Health, fitness and resilience (basically telling my story). Opportunities like these I really enjoy and embrace.

Overall, life is fantastic and I am forever grateful for what is happening to me and how good I am feeling…… I am working full time, presenting at conferences, training hard, being a dad, husband, brother, uncle, son, friend and teacher. At the same time embracing Melanoma as something that is there….but not there….if that makes sense.

Thoughts are also with a close friend who is going through a tough time. Thinking of her. 

Love to all and Remember to hug your loved one's. x x 

Tour De Cure.....DONE and ACHIEVED!!!

Well I did it and had an absolute amazing time.

My Tour De Cure Goal has been achieved. I drove with my parents to Mansfield Primary School; it was about two and half hours from my house.  Last year when I joined the Tour De Cure team, Dad drove up with me and it was great to spend time with him.

Heading off that morning a beautiful Rainbow Appeared. 

This year Mum joined us, and this was wonderful to have her come along for the drive. Last year, I was fit but I wouldn’t say my health was 100%, so dad travelled with the Tour as support for me. This year this he wasn’t needed as my health was 110% better than last year and my fitness was at its peak.

My Parents and I. 

Mum and I. Tour De Cure Kit. 

Another photo of my parents and I. 

Mum was curious to see what the Tour De Cure organization and how it was coordinated and how professional it was.

Once I received my cycling kit, I got changed and then had my beautiful mum fussing over me. Mum is amazing and loves to pander her sons and daughter and not to mention spoil the grandchildren. In front of grown men and women of the Tour De Cure, mum was putting sunscreen on my face, neck and ears. She was just being a mother.

Kitted up and hopefully looking fit. 

Then she would head off to the catering van and come back with a plate of lunch for me. All of this reminded me of when I was in hospital and she was concerned for me fussing and cleaning my room, taking washing home.

From not too far away, dad was watching and I am sure in his own little way was enjoying what was happening.  I loved the short time I had with my parents before I left from Mansfield with the peloton.

I was feeling very excited about joining the group. As I mentioned my fitness was at its peak. I’d been averaging around 230km a week and lots of climbing, which by the way paid off on the ride.

My first day was from Mansfield to Eildon, around 95km of riding and 1850m of climbing. I rolled out of the gates of the school like a ‘rock star’. Students at school visits we attend, form a guard of honor high fiving each rider as we pass.

We rolled out of Mansfield, in an easy pace through the town centre. I was comfortable and looking forward to chatting with the people on the ride. This part of the tour is a fantastic. You meet amazing people on the tour who are passionate about cycling, but many of the riders have a story that is linked to cancer, themselves, friends or family.

The scenery along the way is remarkable lots of beautiful mountain rangers, tall trees and wild life in the many paddocks we went passed……..not to mention the unfortunate smell of road kill.  

As we reached the first climb of the day (7km), I was feeling ready to smash the climb. The idea with these rides is to ride at peloton pace, unless the lead and rear cars say ride ‘you can ride at your own pace’. …….. Well these were the words that came through, ‘we could ride at our own pace’…….My eyes lit up and I hit the pedals climbing strong and fresh. I was with the two guys who also looked strong. Pushing up the 7km climb that had an average gradient of 18%. Was testing my strength and fitness. Again I was feeling the privilege of being so fit again…remembering last year it was a more flat course. I felt so fit this year and really proud of the fact I was here riding. I am pretty sure I was the only person in this Tour riding who still had cancer.

After the climb to the top of Eildon. 

Peter and I. Very inspirational person. 

You can see the images below of the ride profile to day 1. The decent down the mountain was fun but at the same time it was dangerous. You are travelling at speeds of 65km+ an hour, which on a bike is fast and can be hazardous given the terrain of the road.

Route and profile of day 1.

We arrived in Eildon and I was feeling great and proud of what I had achieved. Chatting with many of the other riders it appears the Mansfield to Eildon ride was tough. Day 1 done for me.

Dennis and I leaving Eildon for day 2 of my time. 

Day 2 was to take us From Eildon to Port Melbourne…..160km and around 1900m of climbing. We rolled out to a rather wet morning heading toward Healesville, for another presention to a school called St. Brigids Primary School.

Route Day 2 and profile. 

The roads were very wet and the climb up Black Spur was amazing and picturesque. Once again I felt great and didn’t feel any effects of the day before ride.

I was given the honour of rolling with the front six riders. Meaning the six of us had to control the pace of the peloton and keep our turns rolling. It felt good to be in this situation. For me it meant the other riders saw me as a strong cyclist, capable of keeping the peloton together. 

The climb up Black Spur was steady and not at a huge pace. The decent was very much a slow and cautious decent. The roads were slippery and dangerous. We had one puncture on the decent. But this rider kept the bike up right and safe.

We gained pace out of Healesville, and took some challenging climbs through the back of Mt. Evelyn and Coldstream. This is where the pace dropped and we began to lose time. The Group needed to be on the Spirit of Tasmania by 5:30pm and we were in Croydon at 2:30pm with about 50km+ to go and a school visit as well.  

Peter Braine, one of the riders was very keen to make the school as it was his children’s school and we picked the pace up and had crossed Springvale rd. with about 35km to go, the school was finished for the day. The lead car had kept the school informed with our timing and the students had decided to wait for us to arrive. We arrived at 3:50pm and presented a quick, but concise Tour presentation. The rain was coming down as we left the school and we needed to pick the pace up to make time to Port Melbourne.

Alysha and her daughter at the Surry Hills school visit.

We made the time and arrived at Port Melbourne for the group to board the Spirit at 5:20pm.

I was wishing I was heading over to finish the Tour with them. 

My lovely, supportive wife was waiting for me to take me home.

My emotions were mixed…….over the moon at what I had achieved. Very excited to see Lisa…….and at the same time proud of what she has allowed me to do to get here. Without her support and love I am not sure I would be here today.

An older photo. But Lisa never changes always beautiful.

I am now more determined than ever to raise money for cancer and join the Tour De Cure next year for the full duration of 10 days and 1600km of riding. Which will require more funds to be raised and more time on the bike training.

Done and achieved. 

I feel this year I was very fit and motivated to achieve this goal......... once I had ticked it off I wanted more.

So, goals to be set for next 12 months, train hard, race more, keep healthy, love my family more than ever, raise money, awareness and research into cancer……and complete the full 10 days of the tour.

Thanks to everyone who has supported me with funds or training or general motivation.

Obviously special thanks to my lovely family…..mum and dad for believing in me, my siblings for supporting and also knowing how determined I was.  You all have stood by me.

My training partner Matthew Collins who rode with me to get my K’s up and chatted with me about life; you have been a strong support and good mate.

One of our regular rides and this bloke has been a great support. 

Carey Grammar, for allowing me to take time away from work to ride.

Lastly, my three gorgeous girls and amazing wife, for putting up with the many hours I trained on the bike and being the positives in my life that keep me fighting.

All of these words and moments have been locked in my memory bank and will be there for me to reflect on as time goes by. 

Love these three so very much. 

'Believe' readers that anything is possible.

Remember to hug your loved one's. Love to all. x x