About four months ago, my co-workers were talking about the MS150. This is an event to raise money for the MS Foundation. The MS foundation has a reputation as a highly effective charitable organization. The MS150 is their big fundraiser each year. It is pretty simple. You sign up, raise money by finding people to make pledges for your ride, and you ride 180 miles on a bike. Yeah, 180 miles…foo that’s a long way in a car!
Not being a bike rider AT ALL, I have never participated or thought to participate. Back to the conversation with my co-workers about the MS150. They all said that it was a major feat that would require crazy amounts of training. I have run 3 marathons, I strongly believe that such challenges of endurance are 90% mental. It is truly a matter of deciding you are going to do something. I am not saying that running and biking are entirely mental challenges. Running a sub-five minute mile, finishing the Tour de France that is true athletic talent that results from a lifetime of fitness and training. Things like the MS150, which is tagged as being “a ride, not a race”, and vacation marathons where people are just happy to finish ARE a mental challenge, not a physical challenge. Put one foot or pedal in front of the other and you will get their eventually. The human body can more than handle it. It is the mind that quits.
My co-workers, namely the Care Bear laughed in disagreement, and they suggested that I couldn’t do it. I accepted the challenge. It was a safe thing to do since the registration deadline had already passed. Egal, who was also a part of our conversation didn’t get that I didn’t really want…okay probably can’t really do it. She went to the team captain and got me registered.
I have a lot of pride. A lot of my life is a result of this pride.
Well, I am riding in the MS150. I will get to the finish line, and I will ride the whole way.
Step 1 – Buy bike
Step 2 – Learn to ride bike
Step 3 – Go on training rides