Ok. This is the last BikeMS post. I promise! It’s long, so read if you like, or keep scolling if you are over this whole thing. I understand :) But I wanted to take the time to share a few thoughts that I didn’t have time for over the past few days. Although, one thing that I did have time to do was to think. I had plenty of time to think about all the people who have encouraged me and who have supported me in these last few years. I am calling out a few names. Eric Hauser, for being there with me and encouraging me along the way. Thank you for riding with me and always supporting me. It was an awesome experience!! Sara Nakasone Denckhoff, the strength you constantly show in the writing of your blog, to show who you really are, was one of my biggest reasons that I had the courage to come out and share my MS story. You always make me think about things and I love you for that! Becky Fox Ortyl, I must have said the word MIGHTY to myself a hundred times the last few days. I sure did feel mighty pedaling all those miles. Thank you for continuing to share Oakes’ story. It lives on in so many people, day after day. Sue Fuller-Williamson, it was impossible to ride up those rolling hills and not think of you coaching us through spinning class. I could hear you telling me to push the pedals like we are riding through mud! Patrick Vining, I see your posts everyday on facebook. You are an inspiration with your dedication and commitment to staying strong. And when it got really hard, I heard that little voice that youve shared, saying “just do it”. John Joseph Ryan, I thought about you doing the ride last year and how I was proud to support you but wasn’t ready to participate. I remember making a donation to you and thinking that I wanted the courage to be able to ride as well. Thank you for your support of me this year. Jerod Posey, the positive words that come from you stick with me long after I leave your office after an adjustment. My body felt strong all weekend and recovered well and I believe a big part of that is from your care. My family and my friends who checked facebook updates throughout the weekend… thank you sooooo much. It felt like you were all with me. It was so encouraging to see your words. At mile marker 18 on the first day I pretty much lost it. I was just so overwhelmed thinking about not only what I was doing and how much my life has changed the last few years, but also everyone who has encouraged me. Good thing a rest stop was up ahead so I could regroup and keep going! Whew, a girl can have a good cry, right? During the training processI kept telling everyone this was a RIDE not a RACE, which it was! Except to me and my *little competitive spirit, I felt like it was a race. So…. I tried really hard to beat some of our best training times and we did it!!! We pedaled hard and I will have to say that I am SO proud of our pace. As you can tell from my novel above, this was not about winning a race or beating an average mile per hour time, it was something much bigger than that. I always say a successful ride is one when I don’t fall or have an injury (which usually occurs while standing still, clipped in, at a major intersection, but whatever!!) So, I would consider not only the past two days a successful ride, but one that reminded me that I have the courage to do things if I just try. And I have the strength to accomplish things, both physically and mentally by pushing myself out of my comfort zone. Thanks again for everyone who has donated to this cause, commented on facebook updates, or just cheered me on and “rode” along with me on this journey. Love to you all!!!
Posted on: Sun, 07 Sep 2014 21:47:54 +0000