Hello Everyone,
I have not been in my blogger bubble for some time now, but I figure now is as good of a time as ever for I would like to share something very special with you. As some of you may have read in earlier blogs I am an avid cyclists and runner. Recently I completed the MS150 ride to the river, if you do not know what that is, it is a 100 mile bike ride to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis. At the start I was skeptical if I'd make it the whole way but mile after mile watching so many cyclists work and push their bodies further and further for something that may or may not have directly been affecting their lives helped me realize how beautiful it all was. It was no longer just a ride and by this time I had made my way to mile 70, I had the option to quit--head to the finish line and party with all my friends and finishers or go 30 more miles to reach the 100 mile mark. A second passed and my legs were pedaling again, I was going to get those 100 miles. It was hard work I will not deny that however, those grueling last miles I had a thought circle my brain like whirlwind. I was about to complete 100 miles. Sure I run and ride almost everyday but I never intended on doing the ride at all until about a week and a half before. My friends had been training for almost a year to ready their legs and bike skills for this day and I decided to do it on a whim.
I was honestly shocked with my ability in those moments, I felt joy, pride, and pure adrenaline shooting through my veins like nothing could touch me. It was so beautiful. It is a feeling I hope everyone of you will get to feel in your life time.
After I crossed that finish line and greeted with hugs and pictures from my friends I wandered away to gather and slow myself down a bit after the event day of riding; as I sat on a picnic table watching cyclist come in through the finish line and others hanging with their teams and there was the thought again. We did it. All of us. Wether it be 48, 70, or 100 miles we all crossed that finish line and not only for ourselves for a wonderful cause to help end a disease in this world.
I was able to do 100 miles on very little preparation for a cause that has not directly affected my life, I am physically able, I have my health, and I have the skills so why not keep going?
Why not exercise for a cause rather than just for my fitness obsession.
Why not run and pedal for something that has tremendously affected my life and my families.
Why not make it all count.
So I Have decided to dedicate all of my physical activity to the American Heart Association.
My Grandfather and my father have been affected by Heart disease. My grandfather is no longer with us and now my father clicks like a clock with his new mechanical valve. I am blessed to have him still but his life has drastically changed.
We used to run together.
Go for walks.
Be outside for hours at a time where my mother had to yell at us several times before we came inside.
Crawl under the House to fix pipes.
Heavy lifting and building.
But now due to all the medications and surgeries He can not.
I want to do this for him and for everyone else out there that can not. I want my miles to create more smiles, create answers, create funds, inspire people, and create hope. I want to be the change I've wanted to see in the World.
Everyone deserves a chance to feel that beautiful joyful moment I did on that ride and if I can create that moment just by doing what I love.......then at the end of the day I can truly say I have done my best.
I have started a team for the American Heart Association my mother is joining me as well on a journey to dedicate each mile we run or pedal to this cause hopefully to create a better tomorrow for Heart patients.
Stay tuned--Check out and follow my Journey--
http://honor.americanheart.org/site/TR/FunRaiser/NAT-IFEFUNraise?px=3730499&pg=personal&fr_id=2320
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