Well, just spent the day getting my knee figured out after probably the most mentally and physically difficult day in my life.
Day one of the Enbridge Cancer ride went awesome. Beautiful weather, not much wind, and I was making great time. Then at about km 80, in what seemed to be a 30 km long hill, with a pretty stiff crosswind, I felt a slight pain in my knee, by the time I hit the camp at km 107, I was in grimacing pain mode. Something gave way, or was seriously pulled. I looked at my cleats (part of the shoe that attached to the pedal), and realized somewhere along the way, my right cleat shifted, putting my foot in a superpronated position. For how long? who knows, but I did some pretty good damage. Thank god for the medical tent and their stock of drugs, wraps and creams to get me through the rest the day at the camp.
Woke up at 6:00 am on Sunday, and it took me 5 minutes to straighten my knee, it was pouring, and COLD. This wasn't good. I seriously contemplated bailing. Then I saw an old guy, on a weird dressed up mountain bike go through the start gate, with the survivor flag... I think his name is Bob, and he is currently undergoing cancer treatment, Bob is 70. I said if Bob is going to try this today, I have to. I re-wrapped my knee, took 5 extra strength Tylenol, and a handful for the next 4 and a half hours and just went.
By Turner Valley, I was soaked to the bone, and literally on one leg. From Turner Valley, to Highway 22X (30 kms) was into a 30 kph diagonal headwind from the NW. That was the hardest 30 kms and hour and 45 minutes I have ever traveled in any way shape or form. Every single pedal stroke produced a sharp, biting pain. I was basically pushing and pulling with my left leg. It felt like my tires were made of cement. Somewhere along that stretch of Highway, I pulled up beside a lady, and she could tell I was hurting bad. She asked if I was ok, and I said, "This f@cking sucks!." And her response was ," You know what sucks more, cancer." That was all she said, and she went on past me. That statement, and those words from a stranger literally kept me going yesterday. At that moment I thought of Bob, my cousin Alana, Mikes wife Sue and his dad, my friend Megan, the guy I talked to on the roadside that survived nut cancer.. and all of the other people I know that have been affected by the disease. Also I thought of my friend George, who rides his bicycle daily, with literally... one leg. It would have been so easy to quit, and flag down a support vehicle, but I would be letting down my sponsors. I did everything in my power to compose myself emotionally, and just ignore the shots of pain that were now running up my thigh. I just kept telling myself, "Those people didn't quit, neither will I."
I took my right foot out of my shoe for about 15 km and left the shoe clipped into the pedal using the top of the shoe as a make shift platform, so I could change the angle of my foot, and try and get some relief, which unfortunately, didn't do much. I did this until the turn at 22X. I have never, in my life been so happy, to go around a corner, knowing that I finally had the wind at my back, to give me an assist home. I pulled off the road, got my foot back in my shoe, and just started cranking as hard as i could. 25-30-35-40 km/hr on the flats. That wind was a gift from god. I never knew I could pedal so hard with one leg.
Crossing that finish line was one of the most emotional experiences I have ever felt. My parents and nephew were there, along with a coworker. Embarrassingly, I kinda lost my composure when I saw them. It would have been hard enough in those conditions on the last day with a full bill of health, but on one leg for essentially 120 kms was the hardest thing I have ever had to do both physically and mentally in my life. At the same time however, it was the most fulfilling. No matter how tough my experience was though, I am sure, it was a walk in the park compared to what anyone battling the disease is going through.
Saw the doctor Monday, and luckily it is only a sprained LCL. I was pretty worried as that knee has had some problems in the past. Some anti-inflammatories, and, and a couple weeks of rest should take care of it. I fully intend to do it again next year, and signed up already. I would recommend to anyone, to take on this cause and ride. It is such an awesome experience, and I am glad to have done it. Not only will you tackle a great cause, you WILL grow as a person if you haven't done something like this before.
I learned a lot about my self on that highway on Sunday, and I am a better man for it today.
Crossing the finish line:
Finally it's over!
