At mile 25, I was able to join up with a faster group. During the first 25 miles, we averaged about 12 mph. Over the last 85, we averaged 17 mph, including cranking it at about 20 mph from mile 104 to 108. It was a great group. During the lunch stop at mile 66, I was feeling pretty rough--my hip hurt from the fall, my hamstrings were reminding me how much work they'd done and it felt like a red hot ice pick was jabbing me in my right trapezius. I was lying on the floor of the picnic pavilion where we'd stopped trying to not think about how much my body was hurting. While I was lying there, I was scrolling through Facebook and saw this post from my nephew's wife. My nephew, Seth, has been through a tough battle with cancer over the last 8 months--two surgeries, two rounds of really rough chemo, multiple hospital stays. It was tough to see such a young man, with two young children, go through such a hard battle. But Amanda's post says it all. THIS is why this group of people, and so many others, ride Pelotonia. To see someone diagnosed with cancer, and have an effective treatment available that allows them to return to a normal life. Every mile I put in, is in hopes that I can pay it forward for someone who is diagnosed after me. That they'll have the ability to return to a full life that they find enjoyable and meaningful. Like I did, like Seth did.
Please consider a gift to Pelotonia to help others who face a cancer diagnosis have hope of a full recovery. You can donate here pelotonia.org/kat4gators
