"Little steps" remember Katie.
You've a lot of quiet but bloody proud people out here willing you on mate.
Keep up the great work.
Coal Burning XV Rider!
"Little steps" remember Katie.
You've a lot of quiet but bloody proud people out here willing you on mate.
Keep up the great work.
Every day above ground is a good day!:
Moped rider
Moped rider
32km on the road yesterday, including the hill home...
50km in the road today, including the hill on the homeward stretch.
Pushing hard for the Auckland Ride to Conquer Cancer
A hell of a hard push this weekend for my body, and I didn't think I was going to make it. Struggling to hold my head up on my neck now - but VERY pleased I pushed through. 200km is a long way off for this very unfit girl, but every ride is helping.
I'm working hard to raise funds for Cancer Society Auckland for their leading Research Centre. No donation is too small, and business can donate too. Thank you to those of you have already given generously. Please help me reach my goals, and keep me pushing through this.- My bum is going to look amazing by November - what a reward!
http://www.conquercancer.org.nz/site...nal&fr_id=1050
Moped rider
Forum whore
I think you'd be surprised at just how many are following this thread.Originally Posted by Katiepie
"Statistics are used as a drunk uses lampposts - for support, not illumination."
Kruger-Dunning Parts n Service
Great interview, you come across as so positive. Keep at it
Moped rider
I have had some very positive feedback after the news paper article and the TV3 news clip about my Ride to Conquer Cancer. Some friends are asking me "why me? Why am I being thrown into the media for this when I am no different to anyone else?". I know, very valid question and I do not have an answer to that. All I know is yes, I am just a normal every day girl, nothing special. But despite what some of these people have thought, I do not approach any media - all media has been directed to me from the Ride to Conquer Cancers organisers. For some reason some people can relate to my story, or aspect of it. There are many people doing this ride who are not confident enough to say yes to media. Many people are being asked to help promote the ride and cause but many are saying no because they are not sure how to be in the public eye.
After my accident, I have learned to become a yes girl. If there is something positive that can come out of me saying yes to interviews and promotion, be it publicity about the event, gaining more interest from people wanting to participate, donations coming through benefiting the Cancer research Centre, or even just some who has had a bit of a hard time and doesn't believe they can do something turning around and saying, actually, I can.... then it has all been worth it. I have nothing to loose anymore and will do anything I can to help out and give back in some way. If that means sharing my story from my accident and what I am pushing through to do this, then so be it.
My fundraising total is now up to $4675.00 and I am now striving to raise $10,000. ALL the money raised goes directly into Cancer Research and clinical drug trials.
As for my training, I have been working hard and am out in the freezing mornings every single weekend, and now riding 65km on a regular basis. Struggling with a lot of pain, and on a regular basic am now throwing up from it spiking past the threshold my body can handle. But I am learning how to manage it a little better each time.
Still struggling with my breathing, and my leg swells with each ride. But it is becoming normal and I am ok with that, as long as I know what it's all doing and why. I am sooooooo unfit, and have a couple of bad experiences joining small groups to try and train with - been a few tears and a little bit of self doubt along the way.
But I have slapped myself out of that and am focussed again and more passionate than ever about raising this money and achieving this goal with my father in my heart.
I managed 6 hours endurance training on the wind trainer 2 weeks back while some friends ran a fundraising sausage sizzled for me - a lot of pain, and legs were complete jelly. But I LOVED it.
A VERY exciting potential opportunity ahead... A friend approached a local gym and asked them to sponsor me with a gym membership. I am so broke and paying off a lot of debt from my accident still where ACC would not cover me to much of my recovery. I know I need to get fit and work hard, but I have been so unsure how to do it with the pitch black of winter and not being able to ride week nights for a while. After asking me for more information I sent them the 6 links to past and present media coverage (I was horrified there were 6 items). They have come back telling my friend they are definitely interested in sponsoring me and setting me up with a personal trainer a few times a week to help me cross this finish line. Incredibly excited - means my days 3 times a week would be leaving home at 5am, getting in at 7pm, walking my dogs who have been tied up all day until about 8pm, and night classes twice a week. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee I have never been this busy and it is a wonderful challenge learning how to keep up.
I wish my dad could be here to see me so happy and well again. He never got to see that and I would give anything for him to know I am strong and happy again.
Thank you to those of you who have made donations - it is greatly appreciated and the support is never taken for granted.
6am ride in the morning before I get to ride my motorbike for the first time since Easter up to Manfield. So excited and missing that bike desperately. Then 6am ride sunday morning, dog walk with a group and home in the afternoon to get another couple of hours training it before a new week starts again.
Kruger-Dunning Parts n Service
Don't go worry about that factor of what other people think or worry about in regards to your media exposure.
Your story of what you've been through is pure gold for media and they will chase that even if now served up for them by the organisers.
You've had a near death experience, painful recovery, gone back to the activity that hurt you, then put yourself through more pain to help others with this ride.
Then add in that your confident in front of camera with a pretty smile and you've got a great story/clip that holds viewer attention.
Many people are wary of media for a variety of reasons these days, so once they have a good story/angle they will always come for the follow up stories.
I write a few truck mag feature articles, these equate to nearly ten thousand dollars worth of free nationwide advertising/positive exposure for the subject of the article. But its still not easy to find the right subject whose willing to be covered/interviewed.
Forum whore
I think it is marvelous what you have achieved. I would love to have a crack at a challenge like this next year.
My biggest headache would be the fundraising. Guess I'm too reserved to go chasing or asking for money.
Last year I did the Wanganui - Taupo scooter ride in aid of Childrens Cancer. Half my pre ride fundraising came from pledges. After the ride less than half of the pledges came to light. I finished up covering what I had not received from my own ' already empty ' pocket. I'll do the scooter ride next year but will concentrate on collecting donations, rather than promises.
Will follow your progress.
" Rule books are for the Guidance of the Wise, and the Obedience of Fools"
Moped rider
When I saw this ride advertised last year, just after my father had passed, I was so keen to do it. But I was utterly terrified of the fundraising side. I had been cycber bullied to a very dangerous level, had a mental break down from my lack of progress with my recovery, and had to take myself all social media for 12 months to be able to get myself through depression (including Kiwi Biker). I knew then that I would not achieve this challenge until I had found a little confidence again in myself and getting back out there in the world.
So a year on, as soon as registrations opened and I had enough spare in my pay to pay the rider registration, I knew I couldn't hide from the world anymore - I would have to actively fundraise and always remember why I was doing it. With Cancer most of us have been effected by it before in some way, and Cancer Research is a cause that may want to help support. I have ended up with tears coming from my eyes during conversations with strangers who have donated to my ride when they share their story with me. I feel their pain in my heart for all they have been through, and it makes me push myself even harder to try and give back in some small way.
Fundraising has been incredibly good for me to do. This time last year I was terrified of people, the world, didn't believe in myself very much and had terrible self esteem when I lost my dad - one of the two people who pulled me through my Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Now, I couldn't care less about what people think of me, am not shy in asking people to support the cause if they also believe in it or me, I smile and laugh again every single day and am also beginning to make a few friends again after a very very isolating 2 years. With the more confidence I gain, the greater total I am raising, and the more it can help someone else who is going to need it one day.
A huge amount to have to raise, but you will be surprised with the incredible generosity of people who know that pain that cancer can cause.
Todays new total after a friend raising $320.00 for my ride from a raffle - $4995.80. Just about half way to my goal. So thrilled. Right back to some training tomorrow
Anorak
I am pretty sure I have not posted in your Thread before. Quite a few read it but do not postI have had some very positive feedback after the news paper article and the TV3 news clip about my Ride to Conquer Cancer. Some friends are asking me "why me? Why am I being thrown into the media for this when I am no different to anyone else?". I know, very valid question and I do not have an answer to that. All I know is yes, I am just a normal every day girl, nothing special. But despite what some of these people have thought, I do not approach any media - all media has been directed to me from the Ride to Conquer Cancers organisers. For some reason some people can relate to my story, or aspect of it. There are many people doing this ride who are not confident enough to say yes to media. Many people are being asked to help promote the ride and cause but many are saying no because they are not sure how to be in the public eye.
Katiepie don't worry about the knockers, one things for certain they don't worry about you..........
As for the media, they like someone who can speak eloquently and write well (even with kiwias auceent)
As For tv, well being kind of a cutiepie doesn't hurt either...... (you can't help that)
So take the knocking and just ignore it as best you can
think of it....... as if it was a pushy salesman or telemarketer don't answer, don't let them in, otherwise you may end up buying into their bullshit..........
Kinky is using a feather. Perverted is using the whole chicken
Highway Biker
I would love to be involved in a group ride IF it actually could conquer cancer and help OTHERS.
Call me sceptical, but l don't think it can.
You have lost a loved one. You are upset.
Your quest is about healing YOU.
You have made your personal grief public.
I think you need to acknowledge this.
Moped rider
Maybe I actually believe in the work the Auckland Cancer Research Centre does? I have met two people who are Cancer survivors who won their battles from clinical trail drugs released by this centre. One more I have met who is about to start new treatment through them. I never denied I am not getting something out of this myself. But also just trying to do something small to help others.
Of course the ride is not going to Conquer Cancer. But the money raised I guarantee you is going to help save a good few lives. If I didn't believe in the cause personally I wouldn't be doing it. I am meeting a lot of Cancer survivors and patients through this. It sure does make you open your eyes. Not everyone feels that same, and I understand that. But that's just how I feel about. It's not just about treatment or "cures". There is also a hell of a lot of research into genetics and causes. How can we ever learn more about something that will always take so many lives without continued research? Just working hard to support something I believe in.
I have also stated through media a few times that one of my main reasons for doing this is that my father never got to see me well. I wanted to achieve that in his honour, for him, and for me. I know it would have given him much happiness to see me now, compared to where I was when he passed away. I have various reasons for doing this, and I do not expect others to understand them. I am thankful for the support I have received. I raised what I needed to months ago - would be far easier too stop fundraising and just keep training. Problem is I keep meeting these people who are teaching me more about their treatments. So I keep going.
Weekend cruiser
Ditto! Donation done
Moped rider
Just a quick gentle update for those who have donated (thank you) or are interested and not on facebook.
Only 9 weeks left until the ride. That is both incredibly exciting and scary at the same time.
It's been bloody cold out there training over winter and I get home shaking from cold each time (lost a little too much weight with it all). But starting to warm up and I sure am looking forward to longer days soon.
Someone who was following my progress has also stepped through a huge recovery and lives in chronic pain. The have brought a brand new carbon fibre womens road bike for me as a donation as they felt they could help my body cope better. It's bloody lovely and the extra 6 gears are meaning I can now climb the hills.
Cityfitness gym have stepped in to assist me with my rubbish level of fitness and strength with a 3 month sponsorship. Now training at the gym 4 days a week, and cycling twice a week. I'm a little sleepy now as trying to keep up with my 2 large dogs who live tied up during the days too. It's all go.
Longest ride has been 70km, and pushing for a similar length this weekend.
Current fundraising sitting at $5250.00, with 3 fundraising events in October that should boost that total to 7k.
And my family have just agreed to laying my dad to rest on his birthday the weekend after the ride - scattering his ashes while the 3 of us are all together at home. Much to look forward to - pretty exhausted, much paperwork for fundraising, and a very busy few months at work.
Loving it all, and am so so thankful for all the amazing help and support I am receiving. Will check in closer to the time, but I sure am meeting some incredible people through this, cancer patients, volunteers, survivors, and even researchers. Making it all pretty real and I become more passionate with the more I learn along the way.
www.facebook.com/katiepieconquercancer.
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