not a lance fan..

Well that's the kewl thing about so many people and so many stories! Not everyone is going to inspire everyone. I was a HUGE Bulls fan in the 90's (no lie, I was 320 lbs then) and did not like Michael Jordan. I am a big Scottie Pippen fan. MJ just did not *do it* for me. I have to admit I really like the guy (Lance) but I am also tired of his story.. blah, blah, beat cancer, blah, blah.. What he did was HUGE! But there are a lot of people who are extraordianry out there who do things just as hard every day. That does not diminish his achievements at all. I am just tired of the story because familiarity breeds contempt : )

I too am looking to see what happens next year. If I met the man I would still shake his hand and tell him I admire him but if I met Christian (I cannot spell his last name) who walked 7 miles in sock feet in the lava fields at Kona I would probably scream like a schoolgirl and beg for his autograph (You should see how I acted when I met David Cassidy, shameful).

Edited by nliedel 2005-07-26 6:15 PM

I can see where people may not like him. By his own admission he can be an arrogant @ss. I can see where people don't like the fact that he's focused solely on the TDF since his return in 99. I don't understand the issues people have over his relationship with Sheryl Crow. Some people have issues with the doping allegations, ok I guess. I can certainly understand the frustration with overexposure and hero worship by the media.

But to not find his story of returning from cancer, that had spread to the extent it had, to reach the pinnacle of success in an event such as the TDF is amazing. Add to his sports accomplishments the success of his foundation and his committment to the foundation, personally I find that extremely inspiring regardless of anything else.

A lot of athletes have foundations, unfortunately few of them actually accomplish anything more then providing a tax shelter and employment for family members.

To each their own, I guess.

scott

It is not that Lance's cancer survival is not inspiring, it is that it is not unique. His individual story is unique but there are many stories out there.

My mother in law is one of them. We moved back to MI to be with Mom five years ago. We were in the Chicago area and just happy there. She developed colo-rectal cancer at the anal verge and it was inoperable (it is a dicey area). It had spread and she did not really have a chance. I watched her fight back and survive and thrive. She is not a TDF winner but every time she holds my children as they sleep she inspires me.

Or maybe it was my son Hernie-Roo. He was born at 3 lbs and was not expected to survive (had other problems, early preemie). He spent 6 weeks in the NICU, 6 months of his life with an O2 tank being hauled around everywhere he went (that clears up a line in a grocery strore fast, baby with O2) and is a normal and healthy two year old. OK the kid is deaf in one ear, which makes for interesting pronounciations but he is hysterical.

Or my son Steven. Born addicted to cocaine and almost three times the legal limit drunk (we adopted him, I did not drink and do coke while pregnant). He was... well he was the MOST pathetic little thing you ever saw. We were told and thought he would ever be OK. Now, unless you spend a lot of time with him, you would never know.

These are just examples of people in my imediate life who have shown me what humanity is. For each of my three stories there are, literaly hundreds out there. People who have thrived under bitter and debilitating circumstances that would have defeated me. Humanity is sometimes at it's very best when tested. We can elect to fight and triumph or not. Not that people who do not survive cancer have not faught. Many times there are great and inspiring stories there too. The fact that Lance survived his disease, with so little chance and came back is inspiring but, to me, it is not about his triumph as an individual, rather as one of the greatest inspirations about humanity as a whole. The greatness is not alive only in Lance, but in each of us if we elect to grasp it.

Lances story is not unique. OK no, no one comes back from cancer and wins the TDF, that is unique, but people come back and go on in their chosen field every day. People without hope, without a chance to survive. That is the miracle. The truly inspiring story is, that when faced with great odds we, as humans, can produce a miracle so profound we can get up from certain death and live on to inspire others. I am just pointing out that it is not Lance's story alone, but one of millions out there, each deserving of awe. The fact that it happens everyday, in small ways does not diminish his triumph, it enhances it

Oh and I could care less who he is in bed with. Honestly, why does the, nitwit media, focus on that?

Edited by nliedel 2005-07-27 12:09 AM

Nancy, those are amazing stories.

You are a true hero!

Nope, no hero here. My boys are heros to me and my mother in law and that guy that walked his bike at Kona and lots of others. Me? Not really hero material but that's OK too. I like watching the triumphs of others. You know I just re-read what I wrote. It doesn't suck for middle of the night.

Nancy,

After your post on my "low point" thread and now this one I am dissappointed I didn't bring my swimming stuff to work so I could workout over lunch. As I have struggled with depression and been around others recoverying from many different afflictions you are right in finding inspiration in the multitudes of "stories" out there.

I too was a premie (44 years ago). I spent the first 6 weeks in an incubator. My mom says I came out fighting and haven't quit yet (been close a few times though).

My kids (and step kids) are older (14-20). They are all starting to fly the coup in thier own ways (and some times to my chargrine). You are so right - don't trade the 5 minute mile for them - ever. Go give them a hug and be inspired.

Thanks for the gentle but needed kick in the butt.

I am, first and foremost an Eddy Merckx fan but I am also a Lance Armstrong fan.  Arogant or not, he is a truly great cyclist.  Winning the Tour de France 7 times in a row is an achievement that will undoubtedly never be equalled.  As for his being arogant, who cares!?!  I only care about Lance Armstrong the cylcist, his performance on his bike, period!  If I had half his talent, I would probably develop a bit of a swelled head too.  Heck, look around you, the world is full of people who gloat over their accomplishments yet we call them friends, family, co-workers.  Most movie and sports stars are unbearably arogant assholes but still they are dearly loved by their fans!   Why should Lance have to be humble when all around him are full of themselves?

Always happy to kick a little boot-ey.

Yeah I agree with you sort of. I think what Lance has done is great. But enough is enough. Someone who I think is tougher is...........Well I don't remember his name But here is the jist of his story.
He's from Ghana, Africa. With one leg. He has done so extraordinary things traing on one leg. He has made it is personal goal to get all the handicap in Ghana off the streets and give them better lives. And he is succeeding. I found his story while watching the ESPY Awards.

Couldn't agree more. I guess that's my default position on all celebrities tho -- I admire or don't admire their work, but since I don't know them as people, I am baffled by why folks get all hot and bothered by what they do or how they appear to act when the media spotlight is on. But then I've also never been a fan of an individual person, just of their work. So am I an Armstrong fan? No, but it's not because I actively dislike him, I just don't know him. Am I a cycling fan? Yes, although this is a new appreciation for me. And as a cycling fan, I can apprecaite (even if I can't comprehend) and cheer on his success as a cyclist.

One thought about the arrogance issue -- many people at the top of their game appear arrogant, whether they're actors, athletes, or CEOs. It may be offputting, but I would hazard a guess that unless you have a deep, unshakable belief in your abilities then you will not reach stratospheric heights in your chosen field regardless of any inborn talent you may possess.

I'm a fan of Lance, but I think his absence is going to make next years tour much more exciting. 2003 was a great tour to watch because I felt that there was a real competition for the lead, 2004 was fun to watch because it was a win for the record, but this year I enjoyed it a little less because lance's win seemed certain after the first time trial. I found the individual stages exciting, I found the green jersey competition exciting, but in the end I found the race for 3'rd to be more exciting than the race for 1'st. Next year is going to be fun because I have no idea who's going to be on the podium at the end.

Matthew

You must be on crack. (I'm kidding, of course)

Wasn't a fan until I read Lance Armstrong's War, a great read. Yes, he an be an ass, like all of us but the guy to me is plain kick ass. His work ethic, dedication and mental toughness is unparralled. As far as the family man etc... I could care less. Not everyone is the nicey, smily faced person.

I don't mind people with a God Complex. I used to work for trial lawyers. Surgeons, Sports Heros and Trial Attorneys... Well if my life is on the line on an operating table he/she BETTER think they are god. Same for someone between me and a lack of freedom. People who are pushing their bodies to the limit in sports are OK too. Actors? Well since I spent a summer in a repertory theater maybe not so much.

Im not that big of a Lance fan either, yea I do respect him, It's all about Vino and Kloden.

Perhaps Vino and Kloden will have a snowballs chance in hell now that Lance has called it quits.

Vinokourov doesnt, he dies in the Alps, but Kloden does.

I'll put my $ on Basso.

My favorite thing about the wrist bands are they are made in Taiwan.