Monday, April 9, 2012

ENDURE

en·dure (n-dr, -dyr)
v. en·dureden·dur·ingen·dures
1. To carry on through, despite hardships; undergo: endure an Arctic winter.
2. To bear with tolerance: "We seek the truth, and will endure the consequences" (Charles Seymour).

To carry on.  To bear with tolerance.  To undergo.  As a cyclist, here is a short list of things you must endure while you are riding:

1. Cold weather
2. Neck pain
3. Back pain
4. Hard seats
5. Rain
6. WIND (after Saturday, I'm prone to say this one is the worst)

I've been told that a century bike ride is considered an endurance sport, and that during the course of my training there would be barriers to overcome and rides I would have to endure.  I can honestly say that prior to last Saturday's ride I had no idea what it meant to be an endurance athlete.  Sure, I've been out of breath a few times, my quads have burned to the point where I didn't think they would ever work again, and I can tell you that it isn't exactly comfortable to sit on a hard bike seat for hours on end.  But I've never had to endure the pain, the struggle, the hardship of riding through miles and miles and miles of a seemingly unending battle.  Saturday's ride permanently changed my view of endurance sports.  It was exhausting, grueling, and entirely frustrating.... but I finished it.  There were plenty of times that I wanted to quit and call it day.  I got mad, yelled at the unrelenting head winds, and with the encouragement of my teammates was able to make it to the end.

You might be wondering where this post is coming from, well, let me give you a quick recap of Saturday's ride.  It was our longest ride to date (48 miles), it was our hilliest ride to date (it felt like all we did was ride uphill), and it was our windiest ride to date (we even had to pedal to go downhill).  In other words, it was difficult.  I don't say this to complain, but to relate the struggle that we overcame as a team and to let you know that it changed my perspective on what it means to endure.  Even though this ride was difficult for me, it doesn't even compare to the trials experienced by those diagnosed with blood cancers.  Enduring physical battles is one thing as an athlete, but the people who really have to endure are those who are fighting a life-threatening disease.

As a blood cancer patient, here is a short list of things they must endure: 

1. Chemotherapy Treatments
2. Nausea
3. Hair Loss
4. Fear
5. Fatigue
6. Loss of Appetite
7. Pain
8. Radiation Treatments

The LLS was formed to help those diagnosed with blood cancers endure.. and to one day OVERCOME all of these things.  We've been so blessed to help this organization with their cause.  And until the day a cure is found, we will persevere.


Ride Stats

Total distance: 77.19 km (48.0 mi)
Moving time: 3:42:19
Average moving speed: 20.83 km/h (12.9 mi/h)
Max speed: 55.00 km/h (34.2 mi/h)
Elevation gain: 1297 m (4255 ft)

2 comments:

  1. I had no doubt you would finish. But, I loved the emotions you displayed. It was great to witness. :)

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    Replies
    1. They were definitely some moments that you can only appreciate after you've had some time to reflect on the experience.

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