Market: Houston

Athlete: Reagan Buckley

I was first made aware of The D10 a couple of days before the New York competition aired on NBC Sports. As I watched the competition I learned about people who had lost family and friends to cancer. I saw some of the athletes that had overcome the disease competing and raising money. After hearing that it would be in Houston, and thinking of my family and friends that had succumbed to this terrible illness I knew I wanted in.

Training began immediately with friends who introduced me to The D10, Joe Bob Edwards, and fellow D10 competitor, Greg Scheinman, who won Executive Champion. When you are 42-years-old, half of the battle is just getting to The D10 healthy. Training was grueling, but when compared to what cancer patients go through on a daily basis it seems like a walk in the park. I told myself that if they weren’t quitting then neither would I - there was no giving up whether it was at the gym or in my fundraising efforts. 

After all that preparation, training and fundraising, finally in November game day arrived. As I walked through the track complex at Rice University, there was a vibe that I had not felt before at any athletic competition that I had participated in. There was this sense of fellowship as everyone knew they were there for something much bigger. The athletes and volunteers were friendly, as well as motivational. Don't get me wrong, we all brought it as best we could and competed hard against one another, but it was refreshing to have competitors who were friendly and encouraging. 

I am very proud to have won The D10 Houston. I feel very fortunate to have competed in a great event, for an even greater cause. The best part of it all was the the amount of money The D10 Houston raised for children's cancer research. 

I emailed Dave Maloney shortly after the competition in Houston and thanked him for the experience. I also expressed to him what a first class event The D10 is. For all of those out there contemplating if this is something you want to do, it's not. It's something you NEED to do!

Bring it,
Reagan Buckley