Ride to Empower

Riding in honor or memory of those with breast cancer

 This post is about those of you who are close to someone who is a breast cancer survivor or has passed away from breast cancer. Many times when I am facilitating my Network of Strength support group, a breast cancer survivor brings a close friend, a sister, a mother or some other relative to support them in their battle with breast cancer. Often, it seems to me that the close friend or relative is struggling more outwardly then the breast cancer survivor.  I can empathize with the close friend or relative, because from my own personal experiences I know how hard it is to watch someone you love fight cancer.

 I experienced this when my mother struggled with cancer and eventually died from her disease. It was absolutely horrible to watch her struggle in pain and know there was little I could do.  After she died, I tended to avoid situations where someone was seriously ill because I felt unsure how to talk about it with that person. It also made me uncomfortable because I wanted to avoid feelings having to do with serious illness and dying. However, after I had breast cancer, my views on this changed. Instead of being hesitant about getting too close, I started to approach these types of situations more from my heart, and became less afraid to get involved. 

This recently happened to me when I befriended a young man, named Johnny, who was struggling with a type of aggressive cancer in his arm. When I heard he had cancer and had a number of major surgeries on his arm to eradicate the cancer, I walked right up to him and asked him about his medical situation. Contrary to what I had expected, he talked openly about it with me. For almost two years I helped him with his struggle, and we became friends along the way.  It was so difficult to watch him struggle with the pain and exhaustion as a result of his surgeries, and radiation and chemotherapy treatments. His cancer came back again and again, and he eventually had to have his arm amputated. The only way I felt I could help him was to give him the emotional support he needed. With me he had a safe place to go when he needed to let down his defenses, and talk  openly about the wide range of feelings he was having, or to discuss the medical options presented to him by his doctors. Sometimes I worried about how I would handle it if his cancer finally took his life. I pushed these fears aside because I knew from my own breast cancer experience how important it is to live life in the moment. He became a big part my life, and also the lives of my children. Tragically, his cancer metastasized, and as a result, I lost someone very dear to me. Johnny died just a few months ago at the age of 31.

I am so glad Johnny came into my life. Even though I knew him for a relatively short amount of time, I felt as if I had known him much longer than that. Johnny was a hero to me in many ways,and his quiet dignity, grace and courage in the face of all that he encountered will always be an inspiration to me and to those who were lucky enough to have known him. Johnny was supposed keep me company this summer as I trained for the Ride to Empower. He was going to get fitted for a prosthetic arm that would enable him to cycle. I'm so utterly devastated that he will not be riding with me. However, I am so very grateful for the time that I did have with him. When I ride this summer, I will reflect on the memories I had with him, and will carry him in my heart.

So, when I attempt to ride the 100 miles this fall, I will be riding in memory of Johnny. It doesn't matter that he did not have breast cancer. Irregardless of whether it is breast cancer or a different type of cancer, what is important is the battle that all cancer survivors must face. I will also be riding in honor of the women in my breast cancer support group who never cease to inspire me with their ability to courageously live life notwithstanding the physical and emotional challenges they face as a result of their breast cancer diagnosis.

There are a myriad of reasons why people will be participating in the 2009 Ride to Empower. The most obvious reason being  to raise money for the services and programs offered by the Network of Strength. However, there are so many other reasons of a personal nature which will inspire people to join this cause.  Whether someone is riding to symbolize their recovery from breast cancer, or is riding to pay tribute to someone they know who has died from breast cancer or is a breast cancer survivor, these reasons as well as all the other ones, make the experience of being in Red Rock Canyon, Nevada, extremely meaningful and memorable. As we unite for such a worthy cause, we will feel the presence of those we know who have breast cancer or have died from this horrible disease. It's difficult to put into words what it feels like to attend an event such as this. Rather than trying to verbalize it any further, I simply ask that you join me and others in Red Rock Canyon, Nevada, so we can experience it all together.     

   

Fueling Your Body During the Ride

Figuring out what to eat while you ride 100 miles at the Ride To Empower is as much a part of your training as getting in shape, building your endurance base, and increasing your weekly and monthly mileage throughout the summer. Proper fueling will require some experimentation to figure out what works best for you. There's no “one size fits all” answer. You'll have to learn through trial and error in your training, what works best for you. However, there are some basic guidelines that will go a long way in helping you figure it out. So here goes... 

Hydration:   Drink  20-24 ounces an hour during the ride. That's about one full water bottle. The air is dry in Las Vegas; and you need to drink even if you don't feel thirsty. By the time you actually feel thirsty, you're probably dehydrated. Dehydration may lead to cramping, stomach problems, headaches, and worse. Easy to avoid! Drink!

Eat!  If you want to feel your best and perform your best, you need to eat very purposefully and consistently during your ride. If you don't eat enough, you'll find yourself "bonking" or "hitting the wall." Typical signs of bonking include nausea, feeling light headed, and just plain running out of energy and feeling like you can't turn the pedals. If you eat too much, you may feel bloated, nauseous, have stomach cramps, and even vomit or get diarrhea. Yuck.

You may find this surprising - but most cyclists do their best if they consume 250-300 calories per hour. That's about one energy bar, or 1/2 a peanut butter & jelly sandwich, or a full handful of trail mix every hour. Not a lot really. Which means it's easy to stay fueled just by taking a few bites every 15 minutes or so. Eat before you get hungry. And make sure you eat something every hour. But not too much of whatever the something is that you're eating. 

Here are some good food choices that you'll find at the Ride to Empower (among lots of other nutritious and delicious things):

        

Another important tip is don't eat or drink something at the event that you haven't tried in training. Lots of experienced cyclists use liquid nutrition only; and these products will be available at the Ride:

             

Solid food is harder to digest than liquid. It requires more water and more time to work its way through your system. Liquid fuels digest and absorb quickly and provide a constant source of calories as you sip every few minutes during the Ride. If you're interested in using these products during the Ride, we highly recommend you train with them. There are dozens of liquid nutrition products on the market; and your body may respond better with some products than others. So try them and see how you feel. And take the time to learn about how they work by checking out the great information here: http://www.hammernutrition.com/za/HNT?PAGE=KNOWLEDGE

Finally, we hate to be party poopers, since the Ride To Empower is a great celebration... but be mindful that alcohol is a terrible thing to over-consume the night before the Ride.

During the pre-Ride festivities, feel free to have a glass or two. But not three. Alcohol causes dehydration; and you definitely don't want to start the ride dehydrated. Don't forget that as you sleep in Las Vegas, the air you breathe is so dry that you're losing water from your body with every breath during the night. You'll only make things worse by over-indulging. So party on down after the Ride!!! After you've accomplished your goal of pedaling 100 miles for this wonderful cause you'll have earned the right to PARTY!!! And we'll raise our glasses to you as well!

Feel free to contact us directly at embassy@planetutlra.com if you have any questions!

Deb & Brian

Breast cancer has changed my life, and that is why I'm here typing...

A couple of weeks ago, the Network of Strength asked me to do an interview with the Chicago Tribune. The Tribune was doing a newspaper article on the Walk to Empower, and the Network of Strength wanted the article to also make reference to the Ride to Empower. There was one question, in particular, that the reporter asked me that I kept thinking about after the interview. She asked me how has breast cancer changed my life? In sitting down to write, I reflect on the fact that it's because of my breast cancer that I'm here today writing ,and am involved in the 2009 Ride to Empower. My diagnosis of breast cancer  has not only changed who I am as a person, but it has changed the direction of my life. When breast cancer survivors meet in Red Rock Canyon, Nevada, we will be there because of our breast cancer experiences, and our desire to help others dealing with breast cancer. Breast cancer has changed our lives, and participating in this event is just one way it has affected us. 

 This is not the first time I've reflected on how breast cancer has affected my life. Off and on since I had breast cancer almost 8 years ago, I have thought about this question. I know that breast cancer has had a profound impact on who I am as a person.  When I think about who I am now compared to who I was before my diagnosis, I see two very different people. These changes that I speak of run deep within me. I would like to share  with you some of the changes I experienced as a result of my having had breast cancer. When we meet in Red Rock Canyon, I hope you will  share with me some of the changes that have occurred in your life as a result of breast cancer.  Although it's hard to express in words the affect cancer has had on my life, I would like to give it a try. Here goes....

 It was terrifying to learn that I had cancer because my mother had died at 55 from a rare type of  terminal cancer that was not breast cancer. Ever since she died, I lived in fear of also dying of cancer at a young age. When I was diagnosed, I told myself I wanted to handle my cancer in a way much different than how she handled her diagnosis. Unlike my mother who never wanted to openly share her feelings about her impending death (she was given only 3 months to live), I vowed to be as open as possible with my children, as well as with myself. Prior to cancer, I tended to keep my feelings closely guarded. After my diagnosis, my defenses came tumbling down, and I began from that point on, to be very open about what I was experiencing. Before I had cancer, I lived mostly "in my head", and after cancer, I have lived mostly "in my heart".  I found that living life in a way that allows me to experience a wide range of feelings has made my life so much more meaningful. 

Also, when death looks you in the face, all the trivial things in life seem to fade away. After I  found out I had breast cancer, life took on a different feel for me. I remember the day after my diagnosis, I went out to eat with my oldest daughter who was 11 at the time. For the whole month prior to my diagnosis it had been gloomy and rainy. The day after I found out I had cancer, the weather was picture perfect. I remember how the sky was an intense blue with these beautiful big puffy white clouds. I remember having the best time with my daughter and just living the moment with her. It felt as if everything was  more vivid and heightened in intensity...the colors, the smell of the air, my love for her. From that day on, I have been very aware of trying to live life more in the moment and not taking it for granted. I try to enjoy more of what life has to offer. Rather than running around busy all the time, I try to slow down and take a deep breath. I take more time for me. This was exemplified when I participated in the 2008 Ride to Empower. To spend so much of last summer outside riding my bike was a wonderful way to experience and enjoy life. I look forward to doing it again this summer.

Having cancer has made me much more inclined to connect with people. As I mentioned earlier, cancer broke down many of my defenses, and for the first time in my life, I started to talk more openly with people about my feelings. As I changed, I found that the type of people I connected to changed. I now love to connect with people who also live more in their hearts. As a result, my relationships are deeper and more meaningful. My new desire to connect with others has also affected the type of work I want to do. Before I had children I was a lawyer. Now that my children are starting to get older, I am adding me back into the picture, and I want to pursue volunteer or work opportunities that will enable me to help cancer survivors. Ever since I had cancer, I find that I have a strong desire to help others.  Where this will all lead me is unclear to me right now,and to be honest, I'm not that concerned.  Rather than rushing into something, I'm slowly taking my time while exploring the different options available to me. In the meantime, I'm trying to enjoy my experiences of helping others. I find that when I help others it never feels like work. Having cancer has definitely made me a smarter person in ways I never imagined.

 When something bad happens in life, I believe that usually something good can arise from that experience. Not that I would ever wish breast cancer on any one, but as a result of breast cancer, I've become more of who I really am. When I meet other women who have had breast cancer, I sometimes think how has breast cancer  changed their lives. Sometimes I can see this transformation in my support group. A woman will come in newly diagnosed with cancer, and I will see aspects of her personality change as time goes on.  The women in my support group are so open and real notwithstanding their different backgrounds, and I believe it's due to their breast cancer experiences.

 Cancer has definitely been a major factor in who I have become, and the direction my life has taken since I was diagnosed. Many times this aspect of breast cancer is not openly discussed, but it's something that can be felt when breast cancer survivors gather together. It is what I felt when I went to Solvang,California last year and participated in the 2008 Ride to Empower. The breast cancer survivors who were in attendance all shared that unspoken connection. Maybe this year when those of us who have had breast cancer meet in Red Rock Canyon, Nevada, we can share our experiences of how breast cancer changed out lives. By all being there together, we will know at the very least that we are there because of our breast cancer experiences. As a result of our own experiences with breast cancer, we are participating in this event so that we can support others who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. As I said, good things can happen as a result of bad experiences.

Of course, there will be many participants in the 2009 Ride who have not had breast cancer. This post is not meant in any way to exclude those participants. Irregardless of whether those who attend are breast cancer survivors or not, the spirit of  the event will be shared by all. There is an amazing energy and synergism at these types of fundraising events. I hope to meet you all there so we can share this experience together.

When I write about my personal experiences, I sometimes feel very hesitant right before I'm ready to publish my post. It is a little uncomfortable to write about me when I don't really know who is reading this Blog. The other day my brother asked me when I was going to write another post. He told me he enjoyed reading them. So, with him in mind, as well as all of you who I hope to encourage with my words, I will take a deep breath, try to believe in myself, and publish my post on this Blog.  I urge any and all of you to comment back to me so I can start to connect more with my audience out there. Thanks for reading!!!!