Toolie's Biking and Building Blog: April 2014

Sunday, April 27, 2014

NOVA-CBG Tulip Tour and Recovery Ride

Beautiful day for a recovery ride after yesterday's Paul's Ride/Gran Fondo/Century. Carl mapped out a great route taking in three wonderful tulip gardens. I led the second group at a very leisurely pace and really enjoyed the ride. After the requisite "after-ride" meal and drinks, I set off for additional miles, trying to get at least 50, which I got right on the nose. Perfect biking weekend!

NOVA-CBG Tulip Tour and Recovery Ride by kwarkentien at Garmin Connect - Details

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Paul's Ride for Life/Gran Fondo 4/Homemade Century

Got rolling at 0-dark-hundred in order to make it to Reston in time to check in for the 52 mile Paul's Ride course. I pulled at the outset with Teresa and Melissa and we picked up Chris, Bill, and Stephanie up the trail in Arlington and then Tim right at the Falls Church City line. In an attempt to keep us rolling smartly, I pushed hard and had pretty much spent my load by the time we saw Tim. Luckily, he started pulling, which made for a much more enjoyable ride. Stayed pretty much on schedule but right as we approached Reston Town Center, I stopped to assist a rider on the side of the trail, who had a flat and didn't really know how to fix it. I made short work of taking the tire off but managed to slice open my finger checking it for glass (obviously, I found it!). So I tried not to bleed too much all over the new tube, tire, and rim, with limited success. After getting the tire remounted (and wiped free of sanguiness fluid), I was off to RTC to check in and roll. We had a nice ride out to Purcellville but I had a bit of a slower ride back. Also had a little abdominal muscle pull in Leesburg (and again nearing home) that makes me a wee bit nervous that some other untoward effects may be in store. Gotta take it easy on the abs during my next gym workouts. Managed to knock off the monthly Gran Fondo handily and with 91+ miles on the bike computer as I neared the house, I felt compelled to do the neighborhood loop multiple times until I brought it up to a full English Century. Great biking day overall, especially with my 5 minutes of sleep last night. Now it's time to kick back and relax for a bit.

Paul's Ride for Life/Gran Fondo 4/Homemade Century by kwarkentien at Garmin Connect - Details

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

The Most Exclusive Club

Another anniversary of the day that forever changed my life: it's now been four years since I got diagnosed with cancer and became a member of "the most exclusive club that no one ever wanted to join."

It's funny how getting "the big C" can change your life...for the better. Every day you're still here, the sky is bluer, the sun is warmer, your life is so much more worthwhile and worth living. You focus on what's important and good in your life and how precious life really is. And you find out who your friends are. I found I had a lot more friends than I ever realized.

You also learn how to ask for help, that you don't have to do everything alone, that it's OK to have a few chinks in the armor. I've been blessed with so many people who have been there for me during my treatment and beyond. I can never repay the kindness and support that's been shown to me, so I do the best that I can to pay it forward.

I'm always saddened when I learn of someone else being hit with a cancer diagnosis. I hope and pray for the day when no more people will have to join this "exclusive club" and we can finally kick cancer to the curb. To my friends who are currently battling the beast, take heart. Believe in yourself. You can beat it. And I'll be here to support you through it all in any way that I can.

Like I said last year on my "anniversary" post: Life is such a wonderful gift. Live it to its fullest. Enjoy its blessings. And fight like hell against its obstacles. Every day is the first day of the rest of your life. Don't waste the opportunity you have to make a difference.

I thank God and all of you that I've made it another year, and I'm looking forward to many more. Here's to kicking cancer's ass!!!!!