Profile

About: Despite a significant history of problems with his heart, anemia, asthma, and kidney problems, Rob has always loved getting outside and moving around. Halfway through college, he discovered long-distance running and began running marathons, and only a little later, did Texas 4,000.

Since then, Rob has completed seven self-supported bike tours for a total of more than 50,000 km, logged over 6,000 km of backpacking, and set course records in six marathons and three ultramarathons. Texas 4,000 was not a one-time thing, but has become his lifestyle.

Why I Ride

At the time, Texas 4,000 was the greatest way I'd challenged myself. Despite having a few talents, I'd always previously taken a more casual approach. And while getting into UT wasn't easy, I was only doing what people told me to and took the path of least resistance.

Training for and completing Texas 4,000 takes a certain individual fortitude. College students riding a bike does nothing to change the amount of malignant cells in anyone's body, but it speaks to the mentality of taking on seemingly impossible challenges and pushing through even when you never seem to be getting any closer.

Texas 4,000 may be a poor fundraiser - it has a lot of overheads, college students could raise more than $4,500 in two years by getting a minimum-wage part-time job, and it's not like doctors and hospitals are hurting for cash. But it's not about the money. It's about the challenge.