14th
Day 8- wed sept 14 – thunder bay – - nipigon – ride total is 117km - shuttle to wawa
Day 8- wed sept 14 – thunder bay – - nipigon – ride total is 117km - shuttle to wawa
If we have ever had a day to challenge our mental toughness – I think today might have been the day for all of us – or most of us – I suspect most of us didn’t sleep well last night, not because we were cold, but because the wind was so strong that it kept blowing on the doors in and out – and the plastic on top of the roof was blowing up and down and sounded like someone was going through their kit bags and plastic bags most of the night – The wake up call came at 5:30am and that was most unfortunate –
We ate at the Sears location in Thunder Bay and at 7am we were on our way to the Terry Fox Memorial – Today’s dedication was a sad story – as the child that had been diagnosed – had been treated for about 10 years and eventually lost their battle -
Feeling a little deflated – and uber uber cold we hop on our bikes almost in the dark and off we go – AT this point in the morning the only way to describe it was frigid – not sure how far above 0 degrees we were but I suspect - not much
Off to the Terry Fox Memorial - WOW – That was incredibly overwhelming – For those of you that do not know what I am referring to - There is a Terry Fox Monument up the top of one of the hills in Thunder Bay – we rode our bikes up into the area – trees on either side of the road led us up an archway of green into the beautiful space – as we overlook LaKe Superior we see this beautiful statue of Terry Fox – made of bronze created by a sculptor from Oakville – there is a beautiful inscription – I have to look at my pictures to repeat what it says – and then I am totally moved to tears - Terry Fox was the pioneer of fundraising to try and find a cure for cancer - He never really understood what a Hero he was – As I look at Josh and realize that he is with us today because of what Terry created - I am moved again to tears – As I think of all the people that I know that have had some form of cancer and are cured – my tears continue – lightly as I am also happy that my loved ones are still with me –
I am super tight in my left hip where I fell – because I need to stretch – I need a massage and I am so cold everything on me is pulling inwards – Today I am wearing full tights – riding shorts – a long sleeved underarmour shirt – cycling jersey – vest – long jacket and I put on my rain coat as it is starting to rain and I am not interested in getting cold – plus it works as an insulator as it doesn’t breathe – oh and a toque under my riding helmet, long gloves and slip over boots on my shoes –
Off we go down the hill from the memorial and the wind is brisk – the air is cold – daylight is here but the sun isn’t helping much – We are going to be riding on the highway – part of it is called The Courage Highway - the first hill out of the city HURT LIKE HELL – it was right in front of us – we were cold – and it was steep and long – ugg – my butt was so tight my legs didn’t want to move at all – This is going to be a tough day if this continues –
A couple more hills and I am starting to panic as nothing is loosening up – and I am truly having trouble keeping up to the group – Ugg I have become the back of the pack rider that can’t keep up –
Two hills – Blake comes beside me and helps me up the hills – I so appreciate his help but it is bugging the heck out of me that I need his help – I am stubborn
At this point, if I am not mistaken – it starts to rain a little – or it might have been sleet – or snow – not quite sure – Ok so it is freezing – it is crazy windy – this appears to be a highway that lots and lots of big transport trucks use at all times of the day – not precipitation is hitting us – and my legs don’t want to move – For a flash moment I think it “I can’t do it today – I should quit now “ I have had these thoughts before today, but I haven’t told you about them – cause I always tell myself to suck it up – it is only for a few hours a day – Think of the pain and length of time that the kids go through – sickness – surgeries – treatments – suck it up –So I do
As soon as we stop I lie down on the ground to stretch my glutes – this is for a good minute or more on each side – ok that loosened up a bit – we only have another 20km or so until lunch stop – I will find Emilie and beg her for a massage
It is crazy scary on this highway – the trucks drive fast – close – there is very little shoulder – and not only is the wind in our face – but when the trucks race by – they pull us forward with their wind – and then the wind comes back and smacks us in the face – many times it feels like we could be lifted off our feet – I am not as petrified as I was the day after my fall – I was holding on for dear life that day and trusting no one – I did have some trust and confidence back today – All I needed was to get warm and stay loose
We stop for lunch and I find Emilie – we get into an RV to stay warm – and she stretches my glute, IT band and my piriformis – NOW STOP - and listen – “ALLELUIA” That is me singing out loud – for when I get back onto my bike – the pain in my butt has stopped – completely – ALLELUIA – I will ride again!!!
I am totally excited – I can climb – I make my way back into the pack - No help needed any longer today – I will redeem myself and help the team – I help a couple of other riders up hills with positive coaching or advice – or just staying close behind or beside – and then I have this blast of energy and I am ready to move up the line – So Off I go – I no longer care that it is cold - I have regained feeling in my toes and fingers – my rain coat as created a sauna for my body – I am dripping with sweat on the inside of the jacket – but I am warm - It is awesome – I am just thrilled – and I do it – I getter done –
I am so proud of myself for getting through this – another day – trying to recover from scrapes and bruises all over – and the challenge of overcoming the mental soap opera going on in my head – I DID IT - It was the toughest challenge today physically – hardest hills – not the longest distance – only 119km – but definitely the toughest climbs – and the coldest weather – it didn’t get above 8 degrees today – but I did it – Today was our halfway mark – I am going to do this – I am stronger than I was yesterday – Physically and Mentally and I am only 3 days away from seeing my family – So I have more energy than I know what to do with when I finish – I give Emilie the biggest KISS and a huge thank-you -
We are at a rest stop that has wonderful showers – individual rooms with large – HOT – showers – I get in and never want to get out – but I have warm fuzzy trackpants and sweatshirt to get into - so I turn off the water
Dinner was made in one of the RV’s by the wonderful volunteers – pasta and sauce and veggie sausages – they snuck more veg into the sauce too so that is great – I come back to my RV and have a couple of peaches – and I am good
Now a long shuttle to Wawa – What lies ahead for tomorrow – hmmmmm
Hopefully a good sleep tonight as I need it – I feel windburn on my face – Oh did I mention on the RV I got a fantastic massage again? I am hoping tomorrow I will be back to about 85 or 90% -
Day 9 – sept 15 – wawa – shuttle to Spanish – espanola – walden – Sudbury – ride total is 138km - shuttle to Barrie
