Training for a triathlon or any other endurance event is much easier and rewarding when you face the challenges that lie ahead with God and others rather than trying to overcome them alone. There are times in training when you sit at the bottom of a steep hill wondering if you'll be able to make the climb or partially through a workout wondering if you have the energy and will to finish. In these moments, you often find perseverance through your training partners as they charge up that hill pulling you along or drafting for you to make the final miles bearable. But above all, you find perseverance through the Holy Spirit.
So, even though we've reached a milestone in funds raised, there is nothing that can replace the power of God through prayer. Please continue to pray for Tasha and Stacie that they may have strength and endurance throughout their fight, and in doing so, please keep the Doug Summa family in your prayers as they learn more about Doug's prognosis.
For without God, the burden is too much to bear.
Friday, May 27, 2011
1K and counting
We want to say a huge THANK YOU to all those who have donated so far helping us raise over $1,000!!! to date. What a blessing you all are!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
New Donation Option
Hello All! Just wanted to let everyone know there is a new donation option directly from this site. Click the "Donate" button in the right margin and donate any amount you wish and indicate in the message box how many wristbands you'd like us to send.
Remember the "Tri for Tasha & Stacie" wristbands are $3 for adults and $2 for children.
Thanks so much for everyone's support!
Remember the "Tri for Tasha & Stacie" wristbands are $3 for adults and $2 for children.
Thanks so much for everyone's support!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Cold Tri - Hot Results!
Today was the first tri in our series of triathlons raising awareness and funds for Tasha and Stacie's fight against cancer. While today's temperatures were unseasonably cold for the event, the response we've had so far for this cause has been on fire. Thank you to all those who are taking the lead in this endeavor.
We arrived early at Heritage Park in Olathe, KS, along with hundreds of other triathletes wondering if it was in fact May as we bundled up in sweats and stocking caps. Everybody sized up their bikes as men like to do seeing who has the latest components and aero bars. As this was the first ever triathlon for Pat and Trevor, there was a certain amount of apprehension prior to the race and a lot of nervous banter going back and forth amongst each other with the appropriate amount of Tarkio references. An Indians football travel bag even showed up for carrying gear to the transition area.
We claimed our territory in the transition area, received our body markings and were anxiously awaiting the start of the race. Eric, Pat and Trevor tried to find warmth in their wetsuits as Darin enjoyed the comfort of his long sleeves as he prepared for the duathlon. The Bike Source Triathlon consisted of a .33 mile swim, 11.6 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run while the duathlon replaces the .33 mile swim with a 2 mile run.
As the gun sounded, we were off and taking our first steps towards what we hope will be a successful journey and campaign for helping Tasha and Stacie battle against cancer. All the men successfully made it through all the stages of their race; although, there may have been flashes of feared hypothermia or hyperventilation or both where the finish seemed far in the distance. But, we persevered as we know Tasha and Stacie will do.
We arrived early at Heritage Park in Olathe, KS, along with hundreds of other triathletes wondering if it was in fact May as we bundled up in sweats and stocking caps. Everybody sized up their bikes as men like to do seeing who has the latest components and aero bars. As this was the first ever triathlon for Pat and Trevor, there was a certain amount of apprehension prior to the race and a lot of nervous banter going back and forth amongst each other with the appropriate amount of Tarkio references. An Indians football travel bag even showed up for carrying gear to the transition area.
We claimed our territory in the transition area, received our body markings and were anxiously awaiting the start of the race. Eric, Pat and Trevor tried to find warmth in their wetsuits as Darin enjoyed the comfort of his long sleeves as he prepared for the duathlon. The Bike Source Triathlon consisted of a .33 mile swim, 11.6 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run while the duathlon replaces the .33 mile swim with a 2 mile run.
As the gun sounded, we were off and taking our first steps towards what we hope will be a successful journey and campaign for helping Tasha and Stacie battle against cancer. All the men successfully made it through all the stages of their race; although, there may have been flashes of feared hypothermia or hyperventilation or both where the finish seemed far in the distance. But, we persevered as we know Tasha and Stacie will do.
Monday, May 9, 2011
A Journey to Help Two Wonderful Women
In May of 1994 I graduated from Tarkio High School with 22 great individuals. Unfortunately two of my classmates, Tasha (Beason) Berls and Stacie (Mather) Knop, have been diagnosed with cancer and are currently fighting to knock cancer on its ass. .
As you can imagine, Tasha and Stacie are going through a great deal with chemo, surgeries, etc. and they need our help. A few of Tasha and Stacie’s friends and old classmates (Darin Lee, Dr. Patrick Martin, Bryan Caudill, and Trevor Houghton) are doing a few triathlons over the summer and we thought this would be a perfect opportunity to raise awareness about Tasha and Stacie’s fights. The last triathlon we are doing this year is the Half Ironman in Branson on Sept. 18th and between now and then we are going to try and raise as much money as we can for Tasha and Stacie.
As part of our fundraising efforts we will be selling RED (Tarkio High School Pride) wristbands that carry the phrase, “Tri For Tasha & Stacie” The suggested price for the wristbands is $3 for adults and $2 for children. If you can give more we will gladly accept it. We have 600 wristbands right now (400 adult & 200 children) and we hope to be ordering more soon.
You can donate money or purchase wristbands by making a donation at any Platte Valley Bank in the Kansas City area or make a donation at the Farmers State Bank in Tarkio. If you choose to make a donation at one of the banks please email me at TriForTashaAndStacie@gmail.com and I will make sure we get the wristbands to you. You can also mail a check to 9754 N. Ash Ave., Suite 143, Kansas City, MO 64157. Please make all checks payable to the “Tasha Berls and Stacie Knop Benefit Fund.” All proceeds will be divided evenly between Tasha and Stacie on Sept. 18th for them to use however needed; medical bills, travel expenses, etc. My hope is they both are in great health and use the money to take their families on a well-deserved vacation.
We will keep you posted on our fund raising efforts on this website and if we are feeling ambitious we may put some training updates on here also. I know there are a few of you that would love to see pictures of Houghton in spandex.
Here are a few of the triathlons we will be competing in honor of Tasha and Stacie:
May 15th---Heritage Park Sprint Triathlon in Olathe, KS
June 18th---Topeka Tinman (Long Course) in Topeka, KS
Aug. 13---Railsplitter Intermediate Triathlon in Petersburg, Illinois
Sept. 18th—Branson Half-Ironman in Branson, MO
Anyone is welcome to join us.
You can follow Tasha’s fight at www.tashasfight.blogspot.com and you can follow Stacie’s fight at (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/staciematherknop).
Thanks in advance for your help.
Eric Levings
Pat Martin
Trevor Houghton
Bryan Caudill
Darin Lee
Pat Martin
Trevor Houghton
Bryan Caudill
Darin Lee
*These donations are not tax deductible.
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