My VeloSano Story from the heart. Seven weeks ago I my friend Brad Butler told me he signed up to ride 48 miles to help find a cure for cancer. He challenged me to join him. I had a choice and I could have said NO but I didn’t. So I began training. It wasn’t always fun or easy but it gave me many hours to reflect on how lucky I am to have my health and the ability to join the ride for a cure. It gave me time to reflect and cry about all the people in my life that have suffered this dreadful decease. Friday when I realized it was going to be cold and rainy Saturday morning I had a choice to ride or stay home. I chose to ride. As another rider told me Friday night, “I would rather ride in the rain than go through Chemo.” I think he spoke from experience. So I got up at 4:30 am on Saturday and made my way downtown Cleveland in the rain. When the ride started it was only sprinkling but along the way the rain and wind increased. Sometimes it was hard to see sometimes it was hard to ride against the wind. As I was riding a song came to mind “Against the Wind” by Bob Seger. I can only imagine this is what it may feel like for a cancer patient. A never ending run against the wind. When I got to the half way point of 24 miles yesterday I gave out a shout “Whoot Whoot I’m half way there!” Not sure who heard me as I was alone but it reminded me of the song “Living on a prayer” by Bon Jovi. “We’re half way there, Liv’in on a pray, take my hand we’ll make it I swear, Liv’in on a prayer.” I thought how many cancer patients are ‘liv’in on a prayer’ because their isn’t enough treatment options available out there. Some cancers have a very low survival rate. When I got to the rest stop at mile 30 yesterday and realized how soaked my shoes and socks were and I began to get cold I could have quit. There was a nice warm Cleveland Clinic van there that would have taking me and my bike back downtown Cleveland. Knowing I had to face the worst hills of the route and more wind and rain I chose to keep riding. I made it up that hill without walking because I had many angles with me pushing me on. The moral of my story . . . . . I had a choice! Cancer patients DON”T! My training was only a few days a week for 7 weeks. They face their battle 24 hours a day for sometimes years! My ride in the wind and rain was for 4 hours I knew I would be sore for a day or two but then I would be better. A cancer patient doesn’t know if or when they will ever get better. They are liv’in on a prayer! What I did was very easy compared to what they go through. Donating is even easier. Thank you Brad Butler for challenging me! It was great for my soul! Thank you all for reading! See you next year VeloSano! I ride for YOU!
Posted on: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 16:56:32 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015