Again this year you guys stood with me and made donations that got us to the finish line. If you have been following the blog, you will know that I have learned lessons in previous seasons that have affected me very deeply. The odd thing is that this year I really struggled mentally. I am not sure what the overall issue was, but it has been a bear to deal with.
What I witnessed on Sunday, June 6, 2010 was nothing short of amazing. I watched my TEAM succeed. I watched courage in action. I watched a group of people take a stand and persevere! I watched a group of people lift themselves up when it got tough and push through personal discomfort and succeed in the goal that they had set for themselves.
While at the pasta dinner the night before, I learned that all of the participants and their sponsors amassed a total of $6,000,000.00 dollars through this one event America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride to fund research and support patients and their families to eradicate blood cancer. Thank you for your commitment and donations in amassing that total. You guys are the real heroes, I am merely there as your representative.
We all listened to a moving speech from a father whose daughter had been diagnosed in Kindergarten with Leukemia. She made it through her treatments and is doing incredible. It was amazing for me to be back participating in the event that started this journey for me. I also learned that I had ridden with this man back in 2007 as it was his first event in honor of his daughter.
There was more time on this ride for me to just take in all the amazing scenery. No matter how much self doubt I have had this season, I was at peace for most of the day. I had some times during the ride that I was completely alone without another rider in sight, but did not go into my own head and terrorize myself. I accepted things as they came. I was not able to ride the whole thing again, as Spooner Junction is high and I just cannot find the oxygen I need at that altitude. I listened to my body. I walked when I needed to for breathing or for easing the back spasms I was enjoying. There were no tears of self pity this time, just the inner knowledge that this pain was temporary and others needed me to endure.
To see Sarah at mile 83 - 84 and know that she was going to make it, was amazing. Sarah lost her mother in January this year to Leukemia and was doing this ride in her memory. Sarah kept me from getting on the SAG wagon.
She may not know it, but she showed me so much courage that I was not going to SAG in front of her. If she was going to go on in memory of her mother, I was going to go with her. Upon reaching the top of Spooner behind Sarah, I rode down to where she was and got off my bike, took my helmet, glasses, and gloves off and walked over to her and embraced her. I started to cry, but not because of my relief in getting to the top. It was purely because I was over joyed to see her persevere and do what she did not believe possible. I told her that "The last time I was here I cried for myself because I had made it. This time I am crying for you and all that you have accomplished!" If it was not for her, I don't know if I would have had found the courage to continue.
Upon descending Spooner, my coach and friend stayed behind with me, while Sarah and Carly rode to the finish. I rode when I could mainly down hill. I walked when the spasms were saying hello on the uphills. I apologized to Jasen for keeping him on the course. Jasen in his ever present patient manner told me; "That there was nothing to be sorry for. Just keep moving the best you can, you don't have anything to prove to anyone."
I thought back to when I talked with my wife about my self doubt about being able to pull this ride off again, and her response of; "Your too stubborn to quit, even if you should!" made me smile and keep going. She was right as she usually is. I would rather drop dead than fail in what I said I would do for someone.
To ride in and see my TEAM there waiting to welcome me in, and help me off my bike and embrace me as one of their own, was overwhelming.
I did not finish the way I wanted to. I did not beat the four miles that beat me four years ago. But I did not submit to the availability of those ever present SAG wagons with their soft seats, air conditioning, and powerful engines that overpower the altitude and inclines with ease. I did not pity myself for my weakness. I encouraged others that were struggling with me as they encouraged me. I did not quit. I did not fail. Again I found a way to get the job done in an alternative manner to the one I wanted. I covered the distance on muscle power and human spirit alone.
You guys are amazing! You have supported me in my endeavour year after year to continue this fight. You have believed in me when sometimes I find it impossible to believe in myself. You give freely and from the heart. You have been as solid as the Rock of Gibraltar! I can never thank you enough.
Humbly Yours,
Marc Allan McElyea
Century Rider (Times 2)
Marathon Walker
Olympic Distance Triathlete
Triple Crown Award Recipient
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