Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Ride From Reno 2014- Day 3 (Riding Angry)

Today I rode angry.

Here's the deal.  I wanted to send a clear message to cancer, my cancer, that I'm the one in charge here, not it.  No mutant cells in my body get to tell me what to do, how to do it, and when/where to do it.  I'm the one in charge.  I determine what hurts, when, and for how long. And today I wanted to be in charge and send that clear message.

We summited five peaks today.  You can see from the elevation below that we climbed 6,243 feet- some good amounts of climbs.  And, each time we climbed, I rode to the front as quickly as I could and attacked the climbs.  I wanted to hurt. I wanted to leave it all on each climb. I wanted cancer to be scared of me! This disease takes so many people, and hurts so many more.  I've been blessed that I've not been too affected yet, but who knows what the future holds?  There are several with us who've also been affected personally, and who've had radiation, chemo, surgery, etc.  And even more so, there are names on lists that nearly all of us are carrying that honor those who have won their battles, others who've lost theirs, and a whole bunch who are currently battling.

I've been blessed. I'm riding this ride with cancer- but it's not stopping me now, and it's not going to.  So, yeah- I'm angry.  At cancer.  But that's it.  I'm blessed, I recognize the Lord's hand in my life and my family's, and we'll take what comes. I just didn't want cancer to think I wasn't paying attention.  I am.  Got that?  I AM IN CHARGE!

Here are my stats for the day.  A handful of podium finishes and strong times.  Lost a KOM to one of my new friends, Jon Rose, by 36 seconds.  GOOD FOR YOU  JON!



Much love,
Todd





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