MILESTONES PART 2

When I started training for this ride, the song that seemed to play on my iPOD a lot was Melissa Etheridge’s “I RUN FOR LIFE”.  It always seemed that when I hit a point in my ride when I couldn’t pedal another moment, the song would play and give me inspiration. I would sing along and then when it got to the chorus I would change the words and sing "I BIKE FOR LIFE".  I often wondered what I what do if I saw her perform that song in person.  On Monday night, June 24^th, 2013 in Burlington’s Flynn Theatre I was given that chance.

I cried.

A lot.

From the moment she sang the first words, my heart leaped up into my throat and my eyes welled up with tears.  I sang every note with her and cried the whole time.  I looked at my bracelet that says F*CK CANCER and my other bracelet that says I SUPPORT TEAM H/G 2013 and cried.  When Melissa said to cheer for those who survived, I thought of Rob and Stacey and countless others.  And when Melissa said to send a prayer to those that hadn’t, I thought of Jennifer and Margaret and so many others that had died.

It truly was a moment I will never forget. 

 

Then this morning my phone indicated I had email so I opened it up to discover that I had hit the $10,000 mark in my fundraising campaign for my ride during the night.    I sat there stunned.  It was only in the shower that it really hit me so I did the thing I normally do.

I cried.

If you would like to donate to my ride effort, please click on the link below.  I appreciate your help!

http://www.conquercancer.ca/site/TR/Events/Montreal2013?px=2645026&pg=personal&fr_id=1451

TEAM WORK

As the time approaches for the Ride to Conquer Cancer, Rob, our team captain, decided it was time for a group ride.  Some of us (mainly me) had never ridden in a group before and he thought it would be a good idea to introduce each other as well as get some of the tricks of the road into our brains.

  

So last week, I met Rob in front of his restaurant and then we, along with Mathieu, started out toward a part of the city where we would meet up with the others.   Along the way, Rob explained all the hand signals I would need to know as well as the basics for riding in a group.  As we rode closer to the meeting area, I began to get a little nervous.  Would I be able to keep up with these seasoned riders?  Would they be annoyed if I couldn’t keep up?

It turns out nothing could not have been further from the truth.

When we arrived, a couple of riders I hadn’t seen in years, greeted me with hugs and big smiles.  Others, who I had only known a little while, did the same.  As we sat at a picnic table talking it up, both Doug, Rob and Steve told me not to worry about the ride weekend.  Each rider sets his or her own pace and teams tend to meet up at the various pit stops.  At the end of the day, we all meet up for beer and burgers.  And the next day is the same.  

 

We rode out as a group and some of the faster riders took off but it didn’t matter.  I set my own pace and caught up to them when they stopped.  It was good to know I had people waiting for me at the end.

    

The best thing about a group ride is the support and teamwork.  Everyone looks out for everyone else and in the long run, no one is left behind.   Even when we stop and talk, the support is always there as it was when I first arrived.

Because in the long run this Ride to Conquer Cancer is an endurance ride and not a race.  The only race we are in is one that we all can participate in – the race to end Cancer.  

If you would like to donate to my ride effort, please click on the link below.  I appreciate your help!

http://www.conquercancer.ca/site/TR/Events/Montreal2013?px=2645026&pg=personal&fr_id=1451

Jennifer

Today would have been Jennifer’s 50^th birthday.  

I believe she would have embraced her 50’s the same way she embraced each year – with gusto.  Jennifer lived life wonderfully and never regretted anything as far as I know.  Each day taught her something new and she would take that lesson and apply it.  I don’t remember a time when she didn’t have a smile on her face and a laugh ready to go.

 

I was lucky.  I was able to say goodbye to Jen before she passed away.  We spoke on the phone and she told me she would be my guardian angel.  She had applied for the job and had gotten it.  When I asked her if that would be her on my right shoulder telling me to be cautious or careful, she replied with “No!  I’m gonna be the one on your left telling you to get off your ass and do it!” 

Cancer patients don’t have time for regret.  They live in the moment cherishing each second they are given.  We can learn a lot from them….just like I learned from Jennifer.

Happy Birthday Jennifer .  You may be gone but you certainly aren’t forgotten!

If you would like to donate to my ride effort, please click on the link below.  I appreciate your help!

http://www.conquercancer.ca/site/TR/Events/Montreal2013?px=2645026&pg=personal&fr_id=1451