You've Been So Kind & Generous -- I'm bound to thank you for it!

Week 3 of training!

I'll admit - it was especially hard to rally tonight for endurance training.  I spent the entire weekend in class (both Sat & Sunday from 9-5 each day).  I had the day off of work yesterday (thank you MLK) so I spent most of my time on a family tour that spanned across two states:

With these guys in WI (taken during a Golden Girls marathon - after we got the triplets off to school)

And later, in Chicago (getting my creative juices flowing while helping my God-daughter with her diorama project)

Needless to say, it was a busy long weekend.   Nothing looked better than my couch when I walked in from work tonight.  What inspired me for class tonight was the overwhelming and outpouring of support for me and my journey to do this ride!   I cannot express my gratitude enough to those who donated the $1,625 in the past week -- to bring me to a grand total of $2,830 (of my $3,000 goal)!!!!!!   Consider my mind....blown!   Your support means so much to me - more than words can say.  It shows how much you believe in me....and this cause.  

To donate:  http://www.tofighthiv.org/goto/timothymeehan


Shoutout time:

Dr. Crossman - a leader, both professionally in the mental health field & with this specific cause...thank you for your generous donation to this ride!  I ride for the mental health implications & stigma HIV/AIDS can have those newly diagnosed and long-term survivors.

Jeff Green (and Chris) - my boss!  Thank you for supporting me throughout the last few years with my school endeavors and, most recently, this ride!  Your support means more to me than you know!

Erin Baumann & Terry Meehan - my twin.  My other half!  Thank you both for believing in me...throughout the years.  My fight is not over...I cannot wait to see you at the finish line in LA!

Mr. & Mrs. Blake -- my 2nd parents!  You've been cheering me on (from next door) over the past 30 years.  Your unwavering support keeps me going!  Thank you for believing in me and supporting me all these years.

Erin (Blake) & Pat Corrigan -- Erin: you've been there since the beginning of all of this...never letting go of my hand and always holding me up.   Since you both cannot be in LA this June, I ride for you (and baby Corrigan!)

Eve -- Your support is so greatly appreciated, both with this ride and as a professional!  I cannot say thank you enough!  I'm looking forward to sharing this journey with you.

Mitzi -- So incredibly generous!  Thank you for your (daily) support, both at work and with school, in addition to supporting my journey.  I'm so grateful for our friendship!

Gaily -- I will keep some peppermint oil with me for my ride, thanks to you!  I've said before how mindful I am of everyone's causes.  Thank you for supporting mine!

Terri & Mike Eagan -- Your donation means so much to me!  I feel like I never see you these days...so for you to open up your hearts means the world!  I cannot wait to share this ride with you (over some Miller Lites, of course.)  :)

Nora & John Mackinnon -- I may rock this ride, but you guys rock my world!  Thank you for helping me reach my goal (and beyond).  I cherish our friendship, greatly!

Magoo McGrail -- You're such a bright ray of light for me - always having a smile on your face when I see you.  I mirrored that big smile I saw your support!   A HUGE thank you!

Joya Santarelli -- while I'm not a Miss America contender, I am so happy that you support my platform.  Your pride means a great deal to me!   Grazie!  (I ride for Virg!)

Dane Snyder -- my grad school compadre!  Opening up your heart and wallet like you did for me means a great deal!  Thank you for having my back ... for this ride ... and throughout the past few years.  And thank you for sharing your passion for MH and addiction -- something that can go hand-in-hand with HIV infections.  The world is round, my friend!  Much appreciated!

Sheana -- Like Dane, my grad school compadre!  What are you doing?  We're poor grad students!  Your donation and support means so much.  I value it greatly...along with our continued friendship!  Always.

Sarah (Springer) Estep --  Um...You!  While we may miss each other very much, I am so honored to have you as my friend...and even more honored for your continued support!  Much love, my friend!

Lastly, Bruston -- my old roomie!  My good friend!  My riding buddy!   My Rose Nyland!  Thank you for being an inspiration in so many ways for me.   Thank you for supporting me...now and throughout the years.  Be kind to me on the ride....try not to pass me up too much!   I will cherish this experience with you!

People living with HIV/AIDS are at an increased risk for developing mental health conditions.  These conditions are treatable and - with help - recoverable.  

If you are living with HIV, mental health problems can affect your physical health by:

•    making it harder for you to take all your HIV medicines on time.

•    making it harder for you to keep your health appointments or take advantage of your support network.

•    interfering with your healthy behaviors, such as getting enough sleep and exercise and avoiding risk behaviors such as having unprotected sex.

•    impairing your ability to cope with the stresses of daily life.

POSITIVE mental health is an important part of staying healthy when living with HIV.

All of your kindness and generosity does not fall on blind eyes or deaf ears!  For your kindness, I'm in debt to you.

  

19 weeks, 4 days, 1 hour -- until I ride! Thank you for "keeping me rolling!!!"

Folks!   I hate selfies, but this is my recent creative way to show thanks to those who've already donated!

#Iranoutofcontactlenses   #justwarmingup   #bikeshorts    #youknowyoulikeit

I look pensive....maybe a little constipated, but try taking a selfie while peddling a bike.  It's not as easy as it sounds.  It's a lot like rubbing your stomach and patting your head.

I cannot say thank you enough to everyone who has opened their wallets & hearts and donated.   Within 48 hours of setting up my donation page, I raised over $1200 -- THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!   Your support has made me feel greatly loved, supported and increased my confidence that I can do this 545 mile ride!

Shout Out Time:

Ann Murphy:  You are my LA rock!  I cannot wait to see what snarky comment you have for me when you actually see me in my bike shorts!

Ashley Lebowitz:  SKITCH!  I've come a LONG way from our nightly power walks around Beverly Hills & West Hollywood (with Ann Murphy)....while stuffing my face with Banana Carmel's from Coffee Bean....I can't wait to see you at the finish line!

Pei Min!  Peipers!!!!   Thank you for supporting me.   Our friendship has lasted so long...I cannot wait to see you and meet the new bab-ay!

Peggy Doyle Pagano:  Aunt Peg!  My FAVORITE 2nd Cousin!  Your support now - and throughout the years - is greatly appreciated!   I ride for you...."go raibh maith agat" (Thank you in Gaelic)

Michelle Scuglik:  Mitchy!  You are such a blessing ... so giving and loving!  Your generosity - even outside of this donation - is something that nobody can every surpass!  I have nothing but love for you!  xoxo

Jared Cohen:  My NYC rock!  My Blanche Deveraux! I cannot thank you enough for your love and support....or your money! :)  You are one of the best things that happened to me while living in NYC!  Thank you for opening your heart...and wallet!

Beetz:  Moms!  The only irish girl from Queens who talks like their Italian!  I love ya and miss ya!  Thank you for your donation!  I ride for you!

Jordan & Brad:  I love our friendship!  Your support means the world to me...Thank you for being so generous!

Melanie Schueller:  How do I love thee?  I'll tell you that it's more than you know....Thank you for being my friend through the years!

Dina Meinzer:  My SECOND Sister from WI!   When I need a good laugh, a kitchen dance party, or a drinking buddy while in Wisconsin, you're my go-to!  I cannot thank you enough for your support!

Katie Fitz:  One of my oldest and dearest!   We may not see each other often these days, but I can always count on our friendship picking up like we saw each other yesterday!  Thank you  - to you and Mike -- for your support!  It means the world to me!

Tracy Gonzales:  All the way from AZ!  Haven't seen you in years...but I cannot thank you for your generosity with this ride!  I ride for you, too!

Shannon Konecny & Peggy Burns:  My psychology buddies!  Hats off to your generosity....we're poor grad students!  I cannot express my gratitude to both of you enough!  I ride for HIV/AIDS and the implications this disease has on individual's mental health!!

Vinny & Russo:  My Crazy I-talians!  GRAZIE! for your donation and support...especially while raising two of the cutest kids I've ever met (other than my 11 nieces & nephews, obviously).

Susan Marr:  My mother adores you.  If you're good in her book, you're good in mine!  Thank you for supporting me for this journey!  I'm indebted to your generosity!

1 in 4 new infections is among youth ages of 13-24
1 in 6 people who have HIV/AIDS are not aware they have the disease.
(People are afraid to get tested)

My mission for this ride keeps expanding...becomes more focused, precise and personal.  My hope is to help eradicate stigma behind this disease; to surpress new infections; expand clinical trials for a CURE; help those with the $20,000 a year expense to treat this disease;

Every pedal turn is for all of you....and for those who cannot ride any longer.

Thank you again -- to all of you!  It cannot be said enough!

More to come....I promise!

I leave you with a ditty from a band who grew up in my neighborhood on the south side of Chicago...and graduated from my high school.   This song takes me back to working on the TV series OCTOBER ROAD for ABC....but it definitely "keeps me rolling" with the changes!!!

Endurance Training Begins....Again

Began another 8-week endurance class last night, which included a 20 minute threshold test to set my FTP for each class going forward.   Coming off the flu, the timing for this test was not exactly perfect.

An hour's time of warm-up exercises...and then 20 minutes of non-stop riding -- as hard as you can.

Compared to the last class I took in the Fall, my threshold lowered.  No bueno.   As you take these classes, your threshold should be going up.   Oh well....I rode hard and did the best I could.

Looking forward to the next 8 weeks of classes.

Goodbye To You

Goodbye To You!
My first post...and the countdown begins!

This ALC experience is something I've wanted to do since before 2008 - a year that changed many things for me, including my own views of HIV/AIDS.  Back then, I was quite intimidated about embarking on such a feat. I lived and breathed my job in film & television.  I was criss-crossing the country for work and I always felt I could not make any time for myself ... and had to keep my eye on the prize (my career). 

Furthermore, I was also feeling lost in my career and living in LA. It was a time in my life where I had to make a decision to commit to making the next step professionally and planting my roots...so I did the opposite. I quit my job, packed up my 2008 Honda Accord and drove cross country by myself....and ran away (to New York).

As I mentioned, this was a year that changed a great deal in my life -- the death of my father....a life-changing diagnosis for me.  Adding one more hurdle was not in my bandwidth. 

Driving across the country by myself into unknown territory was certainly the path of least resistance versus training for & riding a 7 day ride down the CA coast...but it was also cathartic and something I needed to do at that time.

It's now 2015. Almost 7 years since that dreadful year for me. I'm halfway through grad school for a new career in Clinical Psychology.  I couldn't be happier about where I am in my life. I am consciously living my life for me. Nobody else.

I'm choosing to do this ride now as a "ride" of passage.  5 months today...until I cross the finish line! 5 months until I can say "goodbye to you" .... to the Tim Meehan from 2008 who just wants to keep holding on to the Tim from today.

Thank you for all of your support....now and forever!

by Tim Meehan on Tue, Jan 06, 2015 @ 2:17 PM

To support my ALC 2015 ride from SF to LA, please go to:  

http://www.tofighthiv.org/goto/timothymeehan