Challenge to Conquer Cancer - Cycling Relay to Austin, TX » Meggan

It’s a beautiful thing…

Meggan — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:48:10 +0000

The midnight to 6 AM shift was challenging in numerous ways…the first of course being that midnight-6 am is meant for sleeping, and the second being that Tropical Storm Rick was threatening rain. We’d driven through some of it, and Polka Dot had cycled through some of it, but we were under the impression that it had passed and was headed northeast…the opposite direction of where we were going. Oh, were we wrong!! About 3.5 hours into the ride, it started to rain…then it rained harder…then the wind picked up…then it got cold! This was by far the most challenging leg of the trip, and by the time we reached our transition point, and the Yellow Team van drove up, I was in AWE of what we’d just done. It was 5 AM CST. I’d just ridden my bicycle 2 hours in a tropical storm, and WHY did I do this?? In memory of my father, and in honor of the many cancer warriors! This journey is SO MUCH MORE than just a ride halfway across the US. It’s a journey of healing for those whom have lost, and a sense of hope for those whom are fighting.

So…6 AM EST, and I was sitting under a gas station awning in soaking wet clothes taking in the moment. Dad would be SO proud. And my journey, this Challenge to Conquer Cancer is quickly nearing a close. My teammates were quickly changing into dry clothes, but I felt like I could go forever…I didn’t know that I really wanted it to end! Sure, I hated being crammed in a KIA van with 6 other adults, but I loved the camaraderie, the people we’ve met along the way, the kindness of strangers, and the sense of purpose. My purpose was to train, to raise awareness, to raise money, and to ride….all in the name of something that touches so many. That is a beautiful thing, and I feel truly blessed to have been a part of this challenge.

God Bless all of my teammates. I enjoyed the adventure! LiveSTRONG!!

Things we learned from the Natchez Trace Pkwy

Meggan — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:04:03 +0000

The Green Team’s 6 pm – midnight shift…

-Polka Dot WILL meet and exceed expectations…even if they have a run-in with the law.

-Just when you think nothing else can possibly go wrong with Jerry’s bike…it does.

-Natchez Trace farmers again remind me WHY I’m doing this…(see earlier post)

-It’s awfully lonely in the dark with ZERO radio communication…

-Deer are equal opportunity…they also like to sprint in front of bicycles.

-Jonathan Pait can pull for miles and miles….

-Bo Z. “heads to the barn” around 4.5 hrs in…(ie: starts pickin’ up the pace!)

-Nikki Z. only needs one good arm to ride 100 miles!!

-No turns, flat terrain & very little traffic makes for a kick-ass ride…Green Team knocked out 101 miles in 6 hrs!!

-The Mississippi River is W-I-D-E!! Louisiana, the Green Team has arrived!!

-The Yellow Team, even with Ron’s glowey-eyed tights, is a sight for sore legs

Until tomorrow…and the midnight – 6 AM shift!!

Doin’ it for Dad

Meggan — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:29:50 +0000

Sometime after October of last year, an early morning run conversation with Ron, Kerrie & Lisa revolved around the Challenge to Conquer Cancer 2009. I expressed that I didn’t know if I could commit to it because it was such a huge time commitment…and Ron’s words to me were… “if you wait for the perfect time, it’ll never happen.” That’s so true. A short time after that conversation, my dad, a seemingly healthy man with very few medical issues, started having shortness of breath. Without any blood pressure or cholesterol problems, it seemed weird, but sounded like a heart attack. We went to the doctor that afternoon…everything looked good, but they sent him to a cardiologist to get to the root of the problem. The MRI showed a large mass in his abdomen. Biopsy showed it to be cancerous. The family was confused as to where it originated. Doctors kept calling it a fatty tumor…as if it had no origin. Well, as it turns out fat cells CAN be an origin for cancer. LIPOSARCOMA is what his cancer was called. And after undergoing major surgery, they discovered just how big his tumor was…15 lbs and the size of a volleyball!! Thus began my dad’s battle with a little known cancer, and my commitment to the Challenge to Conquer Cancer. While I was ramping up to 60-mile rides to Saluda, NC, my dad was undergoing radiation which gave us hope, but eventually showed to have zero effect. With another tumor that had grown to the size of a football, and blood clots eliminating the possibility of another surgery, my dad started saying his goodbyes and setting things in order for me & my brother. It still seems unreal, but makes the journey all the more important for Loren & me. There was no question that we would complete the 2009 Challenge to Conquer Cancer. First it was to be in honor of Dad. And after June 7^th 2009…it became a ride in memory of Dad…James McIlravy. We’re doin’ it for Dad.