Although I had not been in training mode AT ALL, I hopped on my bike and cycled 63 miles in the Tour de Pink yesterday.
And here’s why:
I don’t want any more names on those banners. I don’t want there to be a need for the Tour de Pink.
The Tour de Pink is a fundraising ride for the Pink Ribbons Project, which aims to increase awareness of breast cancer and help those whose lives have been impacted by breast cancer.
I started off the ride strong and was amazed at how well I was doing, to be completely honest. I stopped after 40 miles for a quick break and was invigorated to get back on my bike. And then the we started cycling into a bit of wind and my legs got tired, and then more tired and I started to not enjoy myself so much. I knew I would finish, but I wanted to finish joyfully.
At about 50 miles I crossed an intersection and I have no doubt that you could see the exhaustion on my face.
Just then a man on the side of the road who was wearing a pink polo shirt leaned over, looked me right in the eye, and said “We appreciate you.”
Woah. That was all I needed.
I had to fight back tears as I thought of all my friends and mom’s friends who have fought their own battles with breast cancer. Some have won. Too many have lost.
I was not only humbled, but strengthened to ride those last windy miles.
And my windy miles were nothing compared to the true warriors and fighters of breast cancer. They are the strong ones.
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