Skripper Time

Ride to Conquer Cancer 2010: My Journey

About this time a year ago, my friend Nicole called me after a run bubbling with excitement.  She had passed by the Princes Gates at the CNE and watched the Ride to Conquer Cancer participants stream out onto the road to start their 200km journey from Toronto to Niagara.  She was so moved by the sight that she decided on the spot that she (and subsequently I) should both do the ride in 2010.

Fast forward 12 months later, and I've just completed the ride of my life.  It didn't take much convincing to get me to do it - I've had more of my fair share of run ins with cancer in my life and have watched more friends and family than I care to think about go through various battles - some have won, and some have lost.  So I embarked on a training and fund-raising mission - and was able to exceed my expectations by raising over $4000 for The Campbell Family Institute at The Princess Margaret, one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world.  Thanks to all those who supported me.  In total the Ride raised over $16.1 million across Canada.  THAT'S RIGHT!

The morning of the Ride arrived - and despite Mother Nature's threatening forecast, we were able to make it to Hamilton with little to no rain.  The start of the race was quite phenomenal - looking around at the over 4000 riders assembled at the start line, it was hard to miss the little yellow flags the were attached to some of the bikes.  The flags represented people who were riding that were either cancer survivors, or were currently fighting cancer.  Extraordinarily moving.  As we poured out of the CNE and onto the Lakeshore, people cheering, bikers ringing their bells - you could really feel the power of this group of people who were intent on making a difference.

  Day one went by quickly - rest stops were flush with food, drink, mechanics, medical aid and lots of encouragement.  The people who came out to cheer us on the side of the road kept us energized us through the day.  As we wound through a neighbourhood in Mississauga, a man stood at the end of his driveway with a case of water, holding out bottles for anyone who needed one.  Another couple followed us through different race points with a vuvuzela, a tambourine and a big sign that cheering everyone on.   Small children with homemade signs - or the farmer leaning against his tractor on the rural roads clapping as we went past - it was all wonderful and motivating.  Thanks to all the cheerleaders.

Nicole's friends met us twice on the route, tears streaming down the face of one of her friends as we road past. It was the cheering that kept me motivated - but also it was seeing the yellow flags bob and weave up the road ahead of me and talking to the 70 year old man who was riding for his daughter that passed away last year from a long battle with cancer.  Everyone had a story and a reason for being there - and it was the stories that inspired me and kept me going even when the riding got tough.

Day one ended with the longest possible hill up into Hamilton, followed by dinner and a movie out with our support crew (thanks Rich and Brad!).  Day two was equally inspiring - except for the part where I thought we had only less than 20km to go and a chipper little fit 20 year old told me that we actually had 27 km to go because day two was 114 km in total.  It was a moment of pain, but luckily for me, my ability to eat took over and I consumed an extra brownie with the rationale that I needed "energy".

Arriving in Niagara Falls was exhilarating - people were cheering, crying and celebrating everyone's accomplishment.  And for those who are wondering - the Ride was made up of all types - road/mountain bikes, young/old/fit/not so fit people.  If you are thinking "wow, that's great Lara, but I could never do that" - what I can tell you is that you CAN.  And while you're doing it, you'll be thinking "this is nothing compared to the battle that people face with cancer".  And when your bum hurts after riding for 5 hours you'll think "this is nothing compared to the pain that someone fighting for their life faces everyday". 

And when you finish you'll think "wow - I just made a difference, maybe just a small one, but I'm proud, so proud...of me."  And that's pretty great too.

http://to11.conquercancer.ca/

(Not Resolutions) Merely Strong Suggestions for 2010

I've been resisting the urge to write a resolution post.  I get the rationale behind New Year's Resolutions, but I've never been a big fan.  On New Year's Eve, my cousin pressed for resolutions, and when denied any form of resolve coming from my direction, pressed on asking for "goals" (which is really just semantics, but it got me thinking).

I do have a few goals that I'm going to table - some of which are on going from 2009, some that I think I can get to quite easily (except #3 because I don't fundamentally believe I will actually win - apologies to The Secret).  Some goals stay secret and tight inside my heart but here's what I can share with y'all.

1. Read more books.  Somewhere in the last year, I lost my ability to commit to and read a book. Why? I'm going to put it down to mainly work related - I was so busy and (if we're being honest) so overworked, that my brain cells couldn't concentrate on a story longer then 500 words.  I've been an avid reader my entire life, but 2009 was the year of the magazine, the gossip blog and not the year of the book.  I miss the thrill of being so engaged in a story that I run to bed 15 minutes early so I can finish a chapter. I've got a stack of books to get started on.
2. More real, less fake.  This applies to mainly food - I really want to try to cook and make meals from fresh ingredients, and not ones from a box.  Supperworks will help here - as will a personal chef.  Ok, let's start with Supperworks...personal chef comes with the lottery winnings (See #3).
3. Win lottery to afford ostentatious lifestyle. (See #2)
4. Try a new restaurant every month.  There's so much great food in Toronto - I need to explore more.  Doesn't need to be fancy - just something different.
5. Stop multi-tasking and live in the moment.  When I watch TV, I have my computer in my lap and my iPhone at my side.  I live a life of distraction - Facebook updates, twitter streams, emails, IM, MSN...put it down and focus on one thing (especially if it is JackShepardCharlieSalingerMatthewFox taking his shirt off on the beach).  This also applies to areas in my life other than TV.
6. Go on a great vacation to a place I haven't been before.  Costa Rica? Thailand? A cottage on the beach in PEI? Choices, choices, choices.
7. Train and kick ass in the Ride to Conquer Cancer.
8. Purge and simplify. I've got stuff I don't need.  Stuff that other people could use.  Stuff I need to get rid of to clear my life.
9. Run a 10K.  This is if the screaming, gravelly-feeling knee permits, but it would be a cool accomplishment. 
10. Find my circadian rhythm.  With the long work hours of 2009, I seem to be going to bed later and getting up earlier, which makes for a cranky Skripper. I need to get more sleep this year.
11. All the requisite non-stated personal stuff:  Exercise more fall in love get married have babies move to a bigger house get a CR-V go for massages walk more breathe more laugh more relax.

Riding to Conquer Cancer

I've joined the Ride To Conquer Cancer next year. It's a cycling journey from Toronto to Niagara Falls (200Km over 2 days) and all funds raised will go towards The Princess Margaret Hospital. The ride is June 12-13, 2010, but training and preparation begins today!

Why am I riding? Cancer has touched my life, my family and friends in a number of different ways. I'm riding for Steph, one of my best friends who died of a brain tumour after a courageous 10 year fight. I'm riding for my cousin Kathy's partner Lawrie, who succumbed to breast cancer after years of a brave battle.

I'm riding for my Granna, who danced the polka with me even as the cancer made her weak. I'm riding for GranGran, who never smoked a day in his life, but still died of lung cancer. I'm riding for Jenny's dad, Jen's dad, Julie's mother, Lizzy's sister, Vanessa's mom and all the other people I know who have fought and not won the battle.

I'm also riding for all those who have fought and conquered cancer, including my Dad, my cousin Shane and countless others. I'm riding so that everyone can have the same outcome someday.  On the Ride, cancer survivors have a yellow flag on their bikes. I look forward to the day when those flags are no longer needed.

I've committed to raise $2500, but have set $3000 as my personal goal - and I appreciate every single donation. Funds raised in The Ride to Conquer Cancer will support breakthrough research, exemplary teaching, and compassionate care at The Princess Margaret Hospital, one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world.  If you would like to donate to my ride - please click here. 

The videos below summarize why I'm riding. They are both very powerful and worth a watch.