Stampede Challenge 2010

Okay folks here is the serious part of training.  The day it took place was Sunday July 04, 2010 At 9:00am.  The location Mum and Dad’s yard, Stampede Breakfast.

The course was a 75 foot long inflatable obstacle course, rated for Adult weight.  After so many Stampede Breakfasts Clem became wise and stopped bringing the inflatables just for kids.  He was tired of seeing all of us adults on the children’s bouncy castles. Really, what adult isn’t going to act like a kid when given the opportunity?

I know I will!

We acted as all good grown ups should and let the kids take the course first, followed by breakfast and digesting.  Once that was finished we decided “GAME ON”  

The first up for the Challenge was Pam vs. Shanna.  Oh, what a sad sad moment, when Pam got her ass handed to her :0.  I don’t think her laughing throughout the course assisted her in any way, but never the less it was a bit sad.  So, it was then up to me to hand Pam another whopping.  Unfortunately for me, Pammie left me in the dust and my pathetic show on the course was noted by many.  Including my sister, Jackie, who yelled out, “you call yourself an athlete?”

Apparently not.

The pictures that follow are from the days festivities.

1.   The Course
2.   You can see Pam trying to make her way between the horizontal rows
3.   Me finally making it down the 16 foot high slide
4.   My nephew Connor and I in a competition.

Sometimes the best part about training are those people you get to spend your time with.

Ride to Conquer Cancer June 26-27, 2010

On Sunday June 27 many  riders, including myself crossed the finished line after an incredible journey.  Over two days we rode 220km around the hilly terrain of the Foothills of Southern Alberta.  

Saturday was the first day of the ride and the route was 115km in distance.  It began with hills and ended with a couple of spectacularly long hills.  The crazy thing with riding into rising terrain is that just because you go up doesn’t mean you are going to get to go down.  

The toughest thing about day one was that the in the last 30 km’s of the ride there was a 13km hill, that just didn’t stop, followed by a bit of a respite (scheduled break at the 1 km flatland), and then a 5km hill, before the most amazing downhill towards the camp.  With 0.7km left in that first 13km hill I was starting to loose steam, and completely lost all momentum when I got stuck behind a couple of riders that went to a standstill. The thing is that it wasn’t their fault that I stopped.  I could not manage to get my legs to produce enough power to overtake, or my arms to be fast enough to break out from behind and turn the handlebars to the right, or get my hands to shift down a gear, before the stop happened.  At that moment I hopped off my bike and walked the last 0.7km.  I felt defeated and a little relieved.  

Pammie was waiting for me at the the rest stop at the top, and I admitted my defeat.  Then she told me her inspiration...”Every time I am tired I think of my Opa going through Chemo, and he fought hard, and went through so much more than I have gone through today.”   With my butt sore, my legs tired and knowing that I was going to face 5kms of uphill terrain, I gingerly sat on my bike and began to ride.  For the rest of the ride, when the going got tough I just kept saying to myself...”this is for every chemo pill my dad has to take,”  “this is for the radiation,” “this is for you Dad,” “this is for you Uncle Tony, Zia Gigetta, Nonno, and Grandpa.”  And I made it to the top of that 5km hill and finished the day without stopping.

Day two was 105km in distance, thankfully the route was over more gentle terrain.  Oh, there were hills, but the hills were not as daunting, my legs were stronger even though they were tired, and the pain was just bothersome not overwhelming.  My strength and inspiration throughout the entire day was my dad.

With that said, the sweetest thing was the downhill of 22x and the right turn to the finish line.   As I crossed the line, I saw my mum,  Auntie Chris, Lori and Todd cheering me on....and  just like in all classic moments the words that passed through my lips were:

    

             ‘Hi Mum”

 I am so proud to share my journey with everyone, and want to express my gratitude as this weekend would not have happened without your generosity.  Your support has been wonderful.

The total money raised was $7,300,000.00!!!!!  Just amazing.  

Thank you

Claudia