12 Days and counting -- 1800 miles for Multiple Sclerosis

Hi Y'all!

The really big news is that I have a driver to accompany me on my trip. I thought I had someone a few weeks ago, but that didn't work out. So on Tuesday I panicked and e-mailed a bunch of my friends around the country and also sent a release to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, which posted my need for a driver on their political blog (because of my political work here in Missouri). Anyway, I've ended up with 15 people who want to make the drive with me. Is that cool, or what?

My final choice is Bret Bender, who works for a state representative here in Missouri. Great guy. I gotta tell you that it was a tough choice, though. I've had some very interesting people, from all over the country, who want to do it. I finally chose Bret, though, because I know him a bit. I think we'll get along well and he's much less likely to back out at the last minute (if for no other reason than he would still have to see me on a regular basis, knowing he had let me down -- and who wants that?).

Have a great Thursday!

- sean

Sean Spence
MS Advocate
www.MissouriToManhattan.com
seanspence@earthlink.net

17 Days and Counting -- 1500+ miles for Multiple Sclerosis

Hi Y'all!

I've just returned from a 25 mile ride. Tomorrow I'll do 50. Yes, I've done a 100 mile day, and didn't feel completely horrible afterward. Next weekend, I think I'll be able to get in two 100 mile days in a row. The bottom line is that this ride is going to be a stretch for me, but I'm going to be able to do it.

Here's an update on my training, as of today:

Distance Ridden Today: 25.0 miles, inside
Calories Yesterday: 1250
Weight: 211.4 pounds
Weight Lost: 6.6 pounds

Yes, I've continued to have trouble controlling my eating. Yesterday was good, but many, many days have not been good at all. Hence, the fact that I've only lost 6.6 pounds. I'm hoping to lose another five or six before I leave, then 20-30 on the trip. We'll see.

This weekend I'll be making more preparations for the trip, as well as thinking about the book I'm going to write. Have I mentioned that? Yeah, my goal is to write a book about the trip while I'm doing it (the first draft, anyway).

Have a great Saturday!

- sean

Sean Spence
MS Advocate
http://www.missouritomanhattan.com/
seanspence@earthlink.net

20 Days and Counting -- 1500+ Miles for Multiple Sclerosis

Hi Y'all!

I've spent most of the day on planes and in airports, so no training. I'll be able to get back on the trail tomorrow afternoon for my usual 30 miles, then longer rides Saturday and Sunday. Twenty days. Can you believe it. Oh my god.

On Tuesday I panicked a bit because I didn't have a driver to accompany me. So I e-mailed friends all over the country for suggestions and now I have 11 people who want to do it. Is that cool or what? Do you think its like going to a gladiator match, waiting to watch someone die?

No, I think people realize this is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of deal. Heck, I may never get on a bike again!

My goal is to choose a driver tomorrow. I'll let you know.

- sean

Sean Spence
MS Advocate
www.MissouriToManhattan.com
seanspence@earthlink.net

Getting ready for the trail

Hi Y'all!

My trip is less than three weeks away and, yes, I'm actually going to do it!

It turns out that I'm a horrible blogger in my day-to-day life. Hopefully I'll be better on the trip. I think I will be. We'll see. My goal will be to chronicle the trip in detail.

As things stand, I'll be leaving from St. Joseph, MO (just north of Kansas City) on Tuesday, September 4th.

I'll blog with more details later in the day.

See ya.

- sean

Sean Spence
MS Advocate
www.MissouriToManhattan.com
seanspence@earthlink.net