Livestrong Recap

Team Spudman raised over $700! In total the San Jose - Livestrong Challenge raised $1 million dollars towards the fight against Cancer. Well done everyone!!

It started out as a cool, overcast morning in San Jose, but it didn't last for long. Soon the sun was out and we were sweating away the calories with each stroke of our pedals. We took full advantage of the "fuel stations" that were put in place about every 15-20 miles. Staffed solely by local volunteers, these pit stops had ample supplies of fruit, water, PB&J's, gummy bears, trail mix, power bars, sports drinks, and everything else you would want to snack on when racing under the hot sun!!

I am proud to report that we exceeded the 65 mile distance I originally said we would be doing, and finished the 100 mile course with our heads held high! It really wasn't as terrible as I thought riding 100 miles would be. Everything felt pretty good up until mile 70 when we hit "the hill". This 1.8 mile hill was a 1600 foot elevation climb and oh did I feel it! However I didn't stop at any point during my climb, I was a man on a mission to reach the summit!

In total we gained 3600 feet in elevation winding though the vineyards of the Silicon Valley. We finished in roughly 7 and a half hours, which flew by so quick! It was amazing to see the names attached to riders of friends, family, or other victums of Cancer that they were riding for. Many participants were even Cancer survivors. It was a great event to be a part of and I thank you all for your support!

Livestrong Challenge

So I just joined "Team Spudmen" for the 2010 Livestrong race in San Jose, California on July 11th. I will be racing 65 miles on my road bike along side hundreds of other enthusiasts. I need your help to reach my individual goal of raising $250!! Besides having the satisfaction of being a part of the fight against cancer, you will be supporting me and my team. The best part about any donation is that it's tax deductible! So whether you give $1, $2, $10, or $20 it all adds up quick.

You can follow this link to my personal fundraising page: http://sanjose2010.livestrong.org/dhirschi

The LIVESTRONG Challenge Series is the signature fundraising event for LIVESTRONG. For the past thirteen years, the Series has raised over $60 million for the fight against cancer. The LIVESTRONG Challenge is LIVESTRONG’s signature fundraising event inspired by the hope, courage and determination that exist in all of us. We take to the streets on bikes and on our feet, uniting individuals to stand together to fight cancer.

In San Jose, on July 11, the LIVESTRONG Challenge takes place in downtown San Jose at the Center for Performing Arts. In the spirit of LIVESTRONG's mission to inspire and empower people affected by cancer, we invite children in active treatment to participate in the LIVESTRONG Challenge via pedicab. Their enthusiasm is contagious as they ride among the riders, reminding us all what we're truly fighting for.

Life Happenings

Here it is the beginning of summer and I have failed to give any updates on the happenings of my life these last few months. I hope to fill in the gaps with lots of details!! First off, probably the biggest news for me, I was able to purchase my very own place! Nothing amazing, but it is a perfect fit for my 1st time home. It's a two bedroom condo in the heart of Holladay. Its close to many great shops and has a beautiful view of Mt. Olympus! I was sad to move away from Park City, but hopefully I will make my way back there sometime in the near future.

Another exciting happening in my life is that I was awarded a sponsorship for my races this summer/fall. I am now a proud member of Team Aquaphor! You can view my bio as well as my other teamates here in SLC at www.teamaquaphor.com/Roster/Salt_Lake_City.htm I have already had my first race of the season, which was last week at Willard Bay. I competed with my good friend Amanda who was celebrating her 21st that day. I finished 6th overall and 1st in my age group. Not bad considering the zipper on my wet suit broke moments before I was to begin my swim. I had no choice but to swim with my suit unzipped, dragging water the entire swimming portion. I will keep you posted on the results of my other races throughout the summer.

Ski Trip

Had an amazing weekend getaway with the boys to Grand Targhee and Big Sky the first weekend in February. What a great time of year to enjoy some of the best snow in the world!! Targhee had at least 12 inches of fresh powder each of the two days we were on the mountain, which made for a lot of work! By the time we made it to Big Sky, my legs were ready for some easy groomers!

Big Sky was so BEAUTIFUL!!! Hardly a cloud in the sky. You could see for miles and miles in either direction! Even on the top of Lone Peak the weather was ideal, which was great since the snow was no where near perfect compared to Targhee.

I think I'm accident prone

So my latest injury happened about a month ago at the swimming pool. I had just hopped in to swim my warm-up and was nearing the wall for a flip turn. When I flipped, my heal clipped the side of the wall and sliced me clean and deep! I didn't think twice about it and kept swimming until the end of my set. When I was done, I stood up and felt down toward the pain coming from my heal. I didn't expect my fingers to slip into the slit that was now oozing out bright red blood!

I hobbled over to the guard station where they bandaged me up. Oh did it looked disgusting! There was no doubt I needed stitches. I drove myself over to the nearest insta-care facility. The nurse had me sit on the bed and took off my bandages (which were soaked and stained in blood). The doctor came in with a giant needle (no joke, at least three for four inches). She proceeded to jab straight into my gaping wound. This is when I started to freak and instantly pulled my foot away!

The other nurse had to come in and lay over my waist line (one to keep my eyes off what was going on, and two, to hold me down!). The doctor proceeded to probe my foot with the hell maker. I twisted and clinched with every jab! OOHHHHH the PAIN!!!! I have never been subject of such torture! I was moaning, shouting, and cussing at such volumes that other staff began peaking in to see what was going on.

When she was finished, I was so pale and sweaty. They gave me a cold rag for my head and told me to lay down. I was exhausted! After a few minutes, the numbing medication kicked in and the doctor continued with the stitching. I guess with all the nerve endings at the base of your foot, it makes it extra sensitive, as I found out.

I had to walk on my toes for the next few weeks but am finally back to normal. Swimming will never be the same :-(

And I'm back!

Summer isn't really a time when I leave much room for blogging, if any at all. The season is filled with all of my favorite activities, and I find myself going, going, going until the sun leaves the sky. Hence the reason I have neglected to update my blog since April! So sorry.... but I will try and keep it going through the Winter months ahead.

Here are just a few cliff notes of what I have been up to the past few months!

- I coached the Park City "Piranhas" this season. We had around 70 kids from age 5 to 15 and swept each of our meets. It was a fun experience, being my first time as a coach for anything.

- I competed in 3 triathlons around the area. Echo, Jordanelle, and Rock Cliff (also at the Jordanelle). Two of the three had over 200 men in my race. I placed 5th overall at Echo and 4th overall at Jordanelle with a 1st place finish in my age division at each event. Not bad for only being my 4th and 5th races to date!

- I landed a full time job in SLC working for an oil and gas company called Questar. It's been about three months now and I am still enjoying it!

- I managed to get out on my mountain bike more than I ever have in the past and found a new love! What a great way to access some of the most amazing views.

- My "little" sister got hitched in August and the whole family was there to give her away. The Tetons made for a beautiful backdrop!

- I took my first trip to Moab! We camped along the river, cooked all our meals, slept under the stars, and road our bikes through the parks!

- I turned another year older and probably not much wiser. 24 is the new 18 or so it feels. I haven't slowed down yet and don't plan on it anytime soon!

- I joined a Sand Volleyball league here in Park City. We finished 2nd in the end of season tournament.

- I also just finished up a Fall Kickball league which was hands down the highlight of my week for the past two months! We didn't fare as well as Volleyball taking 4th place to end the season.

Well that is about all that has been going on since April. Now I am just sitting around and waiting for the white stuff to fly. I scrapped for a new snowboard and a season pass, so cross your fingers for a plentiful season!

I posted a few pictures from the past several months.

What ever happened to April showers?

So its been a cold an snowy April here in Park City. Not exactly my idea of a delightful Spring, but I've learned to expect the unexpected when it comes to weather. Last Wednesday it snowed ALL day and yesterday it was 75 degrees... so weird. On what nice days we have had, I've been trying to put some miles on my bike, and check out the area. I can't wait until the snow melts and I'm able to explore the mountain trails!

Slowely but surely I am meeting some locals. The other night I was invited to take a dip at the hot springs over in Midway. It was a random little spot, but made for a fun night under the stars talking about the most random things in the world. I cannot wait for summer to be here and all the adventures its going to bring!

Well not much has been going on in my life so thats about all for now. Hopefully with the warming weather more exciting things will be coming my way.