This past weekend I went on a 70 mile training ride and rode my fastest pace ever! I woke up Monday morning very weary. I was a little tired, a little sore and questioning that I can really ride 180 miles over 2 days. Then I thought back to surgery, radiation & chemo, followed by stronger chemo and told myself, "Self, of course you can ride 180 miles! You should be thankful that you have the opportunity to train and get out there!" I know that I am lucky and I need to not take that for granted, but it is easy to slip back into life and forget that dark period. I will ride to honor the many survivors in my life, I will ride for those who can't, I will ride for those we have lost. There are too many to name... I will ride to honor my dad, Robert Schaeg, my mom, Jonnie Schaeg and my dear mom #2, Barb Smith. All lives taken too soon. They will be on my shoulder as I ride those country roads and cheer me across that finish line.
I will be tired. I will be sore. I will be grateful that I am alive and well enough for riding to be an option. As my dear friend, John Looker says, "If not us, Who? If not now, When?" I will ride to honor you Looker, a true warrior in every sense of the word!
ONE GOAL -> END CANCER
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