In just 4 days, I'll be cycling in the Pan Mass Challenge. The PMC is the biggest athletic fund raiser in the country, raising money for research and treatment for cancer at Dana Farber Institute in Boston, MA.
Cycling has been something I've recently taken on as a new outdoor athletic exercise during the warmer months. When I decided to sign up and start fund raising for the PMC, I realized that I needed this event as a way to motivate myself to ride as long, hard, and consistently this Spring and Summer. However, this ride for me is not about fitness, its not about being in better shape. Its for one thing: a fabulous cause, and a hopeful cure for cancer.
Originally I signed up with the intention of doing the 1 day ride from Sturbridge, MA to Bourne, MA. Its 110 miles, and I certainly thought this was enough. In fact, my longest ride to date is only 60 miles.
But recently I met someone who, without knowing it, pushed me to a new level. He is someone who shares similar physical, mental, and intellectual beliefs as myself, but he has unknowingly pushed me to be a greater person. Someone who, in the last month, I have grown to truly admire for his extraordinary life endeavors, his physical aptitude, his mental tenacity, and his humble, honorable nature.
He's a man who sees no limits to life possibility. The experiences and obstacles in his life, which would seem like extraordinary feats to most people, are merely "ordinary" to him --- because he knows no other way. He's a man incomparable to any other I've met. I am proud of him, I admire him, and I adore his sense of self.
He's a young man who lost his mother of cancer 10 years ago, where I can only presume his foundation of tremendous character, strength and independence were developed; Profound wisdom and depth are deeply rooted in his blood, in his heart, and in his his soul.
I made the decision 2 weeks ago to ride the full 2 days of the PMC, from Sturbridge all the way to Provincetown --- an additional 82 miles. While this decision may have eventually come to me through my own self-ambition, it is he alone who has unknowingly inspired me to go further. Not only to go further on this ride, but on life's ride; The journey to continue be the best person I can be --- for myself and for others.
There are many close family members and friends whom I ride the PMC for this weekend. But the 2nd day, I tribute my ride to this young man's mom, who most certainly must have been a very special woman to raise such an admirable man. I thank you for this. You will be in my thoughts and prayers during the PMC ride this weekend and beyond.
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