By Frank Fumich via Facebook (written January 1, 2015)
This first day of 2015, I’m gonna start right off and talk a little about my new goal of Race Across America (RAAM), but not of the race itself or my personal physical/mental goal, but of the person I’m trying to help along the way.
I remember this story on the national news about 5 years ago, and some of you might as well. Then just like all the other news cycles, some other tragedy took its place and most everyone, except Ryan and his family, moved on.
For them, they live this every minute of every day.
Frank Fumich takes a break for a quick bite during a past race.
Last spring, one of my DC2BOSTON crew members, Jackie Ho, emailed me the story again and said “Maybe we should try to do something for Ryan”. Maybe it’s because now I have children of my own, and I can NOT imagine something like this happening to one of them, but this really blew me away!! Plus I’m also from northern Virginia, and went to WVU, and thought how easily something like this would’ve happened to me, and can’t imagine what my parents would’ve done?!!
The similarities in our lives struck me hard… and so I reached out to Ryan’s dad, Ken Diviney, and said something like “hi, you don’t know me and I’m not crazy, but I want to try to help you guys in some way and I’d like to run from Morgantown, WV to your house in Reston, Va.” Actually Ken didn’t think I was crazy at all and he was really excited about the idea to help Ryan and “keep him relevant” were his words.
We had tentatively planned to do this on the 5 year anniversary of Ryan’s attack, which would have been this past November 7. I never mentioned it publicly because I was worried about my body so soon after doing a Quintuple and told Ken that.
Frank finishes the Quintuple ANVIL with his daughters escorting him to the finish line.. His dog, Winston, wants to join in.
Sure enough after that race, I was so burnt out and worried I had hurt my knee that I sadly told him I didn’t think I could pull it off then. As it turns out my mom died a few days before that, and I never would’ve been able to anyway.
But when I signed up for RAAM, I immediately contacted Ken and said “I’m BACK, and want to bike across the country ‘for Ryan'”.
So that’s the back story of my extra motivation for RAAM. Of course I’m doing RAAM for myself and my personal goals…but something this hard I almost need something bigger and much more important than myself, to keep me going… and Ryan is it!!!!
I’ll be sharing much more about him in the coming months and hope that by June’s race time (June 16/20), many people will be on board to come along for the “RIDE”!!!!
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Watch Frank endure the Quintuple ANVIL Journey in this short video. [Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9wPDStgRaY#t=74]
WARNING: Graphic language… for those of you with virgin ears.
NO LIMITS – Frank Fumich’s 2014 Quintuple ANVIL (703 Miles/105 Hours) Journey
Related:
Arlington’s Frank Fumich runs 78 miles, raises $33,000 to benefit Boston bombing victims [Washington Post, 4/23/13]
Never Change…Never Give Up
…You have No Limits Frank
So Proud of You!
An Awsome message to your daughters, wife & trhe rest of us who love you.
Kim Byron
Just saw you in Ofallon Mo! Welcome! We hope you have a great ride! Cheryl and Susie..oh… The Mom in me has to say “be safe”…
Good job Frank. Look forward to following your progress.
God bless you in your travels. FRANK! YOU ROCK:)
Awesome !!
That’s so awesome!!
God Bless You, Frank!!! Team Diviney, Diviney Strong. You rock!!!
A commenter on the Washington Post article described Frank as, “an iron man with a heart of gold.” Sounds like the perfect description to me, Ken Diviney! I will be following him on his page and our page right here in support.
Wow! Frank, this is amazing! We are all here following your incredible journey!
That’s awesome!!
Go Frank Fumich!
WOW!!
Frank I will be there in spirit to help you along the way. I have been a follower of Ryans Ralley ever since I read about him on Facebook a few years ago. I will be watching the footage from the race as it unfolds dailey. God speed frank.
What a wonderful man and I’m one who follows Ryan and keeps him in my prayers.
(y) <3
Awesome so excite to follow this!
You go Frank,,,between you and Ryan,you’ll make it. Like with Ryan,we’ll be cheering you on.
Hooray for Frank ! It is beautiful people like Frank and his unselfishness that helps continue the support of Ryan and his family, sending prayers for you Frank and yours!!! Thank you!
I can’t wait to see what happens when superhuman forces combine for a common purpose. This is going to be an epic triumph for both Ryan and Frank!
How awesome is that ?!
I love this! So excited to see the updates and that everyone is working hard to keep Ryan relevant! Much love and prayers!
WOW!! What an amazing man! And what a blessing he is!
Rock it, Frank! U da man!
Bei mir hingen sehr lange, bis ich aus meiner pubertären Veruwrringsphase rauskam und das irgendwie ein wenig peinlich fand, Mr. Spock und Legolas, beide aber in diesem Mosaikstil, wo viele EInzelbilder der Filmreihen zusammen das Gesamtbild ergeben.War schon toll mit dne beiden