Ride gives needed perspective

The Ride to Conquer Cancer is a 350K journey from Vancouver to Seattle.

As my husband Glenn was diagnosed with cancer, the Ride has given me a sense of control and has focused me on raising funds for much needed cancer research.

I have only owned a road bike for four months. I applaud riders of past events as the training needed to be successful is harder than anything I have ever done. Most of the early rides were wet, miserable, and caused me considerable pain.

I had hurt my right knee bad enough that I wasn't sure I'd be able to continue the training. The first doctor I saw looked at me quizzically and told me to stop riding as that was causing the problem.

OK- simple solution, but not an option as way too many people were supporting my effort with their donations and I couldn't let them down. And I was committed to doing this for Glenn. I stopped riding for a week and found a really good physiotherapist who helped me understand what was happening to my knee.

All the bike pedalling and not nearly enough stretching was my problem. So lots of ice packs, Advil and stretching had me back in the saddle again.

By April, we had built up to 80K rides. I am the least experienced rider in our group so have to push myself pretty hard to keep up. I can climb hills reasonably well, but on the straight stretch I'm left behind.

Some rides are easier than others. I haven't completely figured out why.

On a ride in late April, we had gone pretty far just to reach the halfway point. The pace was fast so I was having a difficult day. We stopped at a store to use the facilities. There is something about standing with dogs, kids or bikes - people come over to talk. As I waited, a woman wandered over and asked if I was in a race. I explained that we were training for the Ride to Conquer Cancer and why we were doing it. I could see that she had tears welling up in her eyes. She told me that her dad had cancer and then confided that she had cancer as well.

It was Hodgkin's Lymphoma and she had just recently been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, too. Sometimes, life does not seem very fair. As we left, I told her that I would be riding for her and her dad as well.

Perspective is a good teacher. It can help you gather determination and resolve. So I'll continue to train, I'll push to keep up and I'll remember why I am doing this.

That and Advil are teaching me to get me to the finish line!