the adventures of brain tumour man and superchuck: I did it!

Yep - I did it. And my title is multi-tasking today, because not only did I complete the 240km Ride To Conquer Cancer Benefiting the BC Cancer Foundation, I also married the most amazing man in the world. Details below. Warning: some mushiness included.

On Saturday I embarked on the ride. That meant getting up at 5:15 to be at the starting point for 6:30. I was a little worried as the kids cold seemed to hit me on Friday. I left work early to catch a little nap in hope to ward the thing off. I managed! At least it was only a sore throat cold, so I could breath unlike one of my poor team mates.

We left the starting point around 7:30 and arrived at the border at 8:30 (17.5 km in) for a long wait. We were joined by our amazing Captain, Zuri Scrivens to the border. She had just finished chemo on Thursday - awesome of her to join us, and inspiring for our whole team. Once we got going again, it was a very scenic ride (and one more pit stop) to our lunch stop in Bellingham at km 71.6. And who was there waiting for me? My hubby and two adorable kids. I had told Stefan I thought he was crazy for trying to take a road trip with snotty nosed Nathan and Steroid-ed up Charlotte, but he insisted. It sure was nice to see them there as I rolled into lunch.

After lunch, a never-ending hill, one more pit stop at km 99.5 and we arrive at Camp in Mt. Vernon at km 123! The pit stops are fantastic, tons of yummy food, water, Gatorade, sunscreen, etc. Camp was also great, a tent city, music, more yummy food and massages.

Day two was another early start. I managed to sleep pretty well, but a few of my team mates weren't as lucky! There was a train near by, and lots of zippering of tents as people were hydrating/emptying bladders! Music started at 5am, but somehow I managed another hour of sleep before getting up at 6. We were all ready to get going at 7, but needed to wait for a team mate who we thought we were meeting at 7:30. We left shortly before 8 without our team mate. (We were getting very worried about him - but it was a miscommunication as he thought we were meeting at 8 - he rolled in not too far behind us at the finish line).

The first 21.5 km went by like a breeze. As everyone has heard, there was a tragic accident at km 40. Heartbreaking. It happened about 15 minutes before I got there. They had stopped the riders and we were waiting for a bit until they got the permission from an owner of the field next to the road that we could walk through. So I (and hundreds of riders) walked past while they were doing CPR. The mood for sure shifted. The rest of the ride everyone was even more careful and courteous then usual (I have to say rider etiquette and safety is high already on the ride). We carried on to a quieter lunch by the lake at km 69.4.

There was a good hill before lunch, and a number after. They were tough - but at least you could see the end of each one unlike the never ending one on day one. I thought I might have to walk the last one - but I made it. The last pit stop was at km 108.2, only 6.6 km from the end where teams congregate so they can cross the finish line together. Zuri joined us again for the final ride in. Crossing the finish line was the highlight of the trip as Charlotte and Stefan appeared in a video on the big screen above the line.....I started bawling like a baby! They were at the finish line to greet me with big hugs!

Yes - my awesome hubby drove down to Seattle with our girl just to see me at the finish line! He rocks! He also sent me flowers today at work. He makes it very easy for me to love him.

So - was it hard? It certainly wasn't easy! But it wasn't as hard as battling cancer, watching your loved one get diagnosed with cancer, brain surgery, or dealing with a kid on steroids! Would I do it again - you betcha! I encourage everyone to think about joining - you do not have to be fit or an experienced rider - hey, I did it! Join us here Nothing Butt Class. I haven't signed up....yet.....still waiting to be able to feel my bum again. ;)

Thank you to everyone who donated. Thank you to my amazing team, Nothing Butt Class, and my friend Kelly for joining us on the ride. Thank you to our inspirational captain Zuri Scrivens for staying so damn strong and positive. And, last but not least, especially big thanks to my wonderful husband. While I rode for him and Charlotte. It was a lot of extra work for him. Not just this weekend. But the extra household jobs he has done while I trained. I love you Stefan Lageston! I love how supportive you are, the amazing father and man that you are, and I love making you proud!