62 miles.....DONE

Whew…. That was a tough one. Saturday, August 22nd was the CF Cycle for life in which I committed to ride 62.7 miles. I knew going into this, it would be quite a challenge. But, isn’t that why I am doing this.

Mike has been a godsend through my training. Even though he wasn’t doing the ride with me, he was always there to support and ride along with me for my training rides. Well, until the day we reach 40 miles then I think he had his limit of being my training partner.

I started my training with my Trek hybrid but my wonderful husband thought I needed a road bide in order to complete this in the goal time I had set for myself. So one week before the ride, he purchased me a Trek Madone. Wow, is this thing lightweight. My first time riding this new bike, I found myself tackling hills with ease and going at paces that were out of my comfort zone. I was in love and I was ready to tackle this ride.

I woke up at 4:30 in the morning the day of the ride. I wanted to make sure I was well hydrated and had some food prior to getting started. Sleep didn’t come easy that night. I am not sure if it was nerves, excitement or just emotions. I arrived at Kuiper’s Apple Orchard about 6:00 am that morning. I was in just amazement at everything the CF foundation had put into making this happen. Michelle, Amy and Kristy must have worked all night to have everything set up so perfectly. I was overwhelmed with emotion even before starting.

After a few words from the president of the CF foundation and some cheers from the local high school cheerleaders, we were off. I am not exactly sure how many riders were riding that day but I know I saw bib number 190. The bibs were color coded. Yellow meant that they were a top fundraiser, green meant an alumni rider and white. There were very few white. Most of the riders have been riding year after year and continuing to ride for CF.

The first 15 miles when through the country roads of Elburn and Sugar grove. The weather was cool and calming. I was flying through those miles. I was surprised then the first rest stop arrive already. I was feeling good. The next 15 went through sugar grove and Plano. These 15 miles, were a little tougher. I was going strong but loosing some speed. I believe (looking back) what made it hard was the long stretches of road. It seemed the road was never going to end.

I was glad to see the second rest stop. One advice that was given to me, before the ride, was never skip a rest stop. Glad I listened!

The third rest stop was only 8 miles up the road to Hinckley/Big Rock High School. This rest stop proved to have the best volunteers. We had cheerleaders!! Not only did the high school open up its door to us, but the adult volunteer’s children proved to be excellent cheerleader and the motivation you needed to tackle the next stage. Boy, did we need it!

Mile 34 is when we encountered the one thing I did not want to see, WIND!!! Head wind, cross wind, country road wind. It just kept coming, every time your turned, more wind. At this point, you couldn’t tell the difference between crosswind and headwind. But we kept pushing. The more I pushed, the more fatigued my legs became. At several points, my legs began to spasm and I actually had to get off the bike and stretch. By the time I made it to the 4th and final rest stop, I was beat, physically and mentally. I kept telling myself that it was only 18 miles left. I could do it.

This is the point in the ride that I gave myself a strong mental talking to. Every day of Cory’s life, he fought and often struggled to breath. He battled challenges that I couldn’t not even begin to know what it felt like. Battles that included failing lungs, to a weakened body, weeks upon weeks in the hospital, and the emotional struggle of knowing you were going to die. Yet, Cory always smiled. He never let anyone know what kind of struggle he was going through. “I’m good”. Even 24 hours’ hours before he died, he woke up and found me crying, he reached and wiped my tear and said “Don’t cry mom, I’m good”.

So off I go for the final stretch telling myself “I’m good!” I decided at that point, the only way, I am getting through this ride is to slow down. So I backed down my pace and stretched my spasming legs when needed.

Finally, 4 miles to the end, turn the corner and NO WIND. “I can do this, I can do this, I can do this”. The tears started flowing as I knew I made it, I was going finish this ride, with Cory right beside me.

The final mile, I picked up my pace and finished that ride with smile.

The things I am thankful for:

The motorcycle riders that kept us safe and made sure we never felt alone out there. Kudos to you.

The Cystic Fibrosis foundation and all that they do.

The volunteers! Each and everyone of you are amazing! From the smile at the rest stop, to the sag team, the kids serving lunch. Thank you!

To Kuiper’s Apple Farm for supplying us with an amazing venue

To Mason Rivers for performing at the celebration lunch. I knew when I heard that familiar sounds, I was close.

To my In-laws for being at the finish line. Seeing your faces cheering me at the end, was perfect

And to YOU…To you that have donated to my mission, my goals. To you, that have support each and every adventure I endure for CF. I promise, I will not quite until we have a cure.

Keep those donation coming and stay tuned for the next event EXTRE ME HIKE