You are not alone.

Today’s blog is one I’m extremely proud to share with you. It’s a guest post from my dear friend, Ross. Last Saturday, Ross rode 111 miles in the Tucson JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes. He did so in honor of his daughter, Squeakers, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes four years ago at the age of 2. I write about Ross (@rharmstrong77) and Sarah (@mod4acure) regularly because they are incredibly special people and mean so much to me. Sarah is an active diabetes advocate in our town, but this Ride was different — it was many miles away, and it was truly a family affair. While Ross trained for the Ride, Squeakers trained, too, completing her 111-mile trek a couple of weeks ago (and beating me). After hearing about the weekend in Tucson and the Ride, I asked Ross if he’d be willing to guest blog. Thankfully, he agreed. You guys are in for a real treat…

At 4:45 a.m. Saturday, I slowly crawled out of the hotel bed. I quietly put on my gear, layering for the cold morning weather, trying not to disturb Sarah (@mod4acure) and Squeakers. Downstairs, I forced myself to eat eggs, ham, oatmeal and a banana trying to fuel for the long day ahead. The peacefulness was suddenly disturbed by someone shouting, “Good Morning, JDRF!” Reality set in. The day was finally here, and I was ready to tackle the El Tour de Tucson – 111 miles of cycling for the final JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes of the year. I couldn’t wait to get to the starting line!

I started training for the ride nearly a year ago. I knew riding more than 100 miles in one day was going to be a difficult challenge. I also knew that raising the money to participate was going to be difficult as well. But, I wanted to do both in honor of Squeakers. I wanted to show her how much I love her by taking on the struggles of getting physically fit for this challenge. She struggles every day with type 1 diabetes, so a little exhaustion on my part was the least I could do. The ride turned out to be so much more than a physical event though.

The emotion of the weekend was incredible. It started with walking into the bike room and seeing nearly 150 bikes that mechanics had been unpacking and assembling since Tuesday. During the welcome reception, we heard countless stories from other ride participants on how type 1 diabetes came to be a part of their lives. The amazing thing was the stories weren’t told in sadness, but were told with of glimmer of hope salted with how type 1 diabetes hadn’t kept them down. We heard about the advances in treatment and the progress toward finding a cure. We heard about all the money raised for funding that research. Sitting around a table in the foothills of Tucson hearing the stories and making new friends tugged on my heart strings. It gave me hope that Squeakers will never be alone in this fight… that our family isn’t isolated in the frustrations we experience with this disease… that we can make a difference together.

The ride itself was absolutely amazing. I rode with my wonderful brother and five or six other JDRF ride participants around the city of Tucson. I experienced the difficulties I expected… getting dropped on a long downhill; burning my legs out trying to catch up; and struggling to hold pace for the last 19 miles. What I didn’t anticipate were the smiles at the JDRF rest stops; the camaraderie amongst the riders; the joy of a peanut butter and banana sandwich. I had a difficult moment around mile 101 when my legs just felt like they couldn’t ride at the pace of the group any longer. I never thought about stopping, but was ready to let the rest of the group pass me by and finish at my own, much slower pace.  But then a rider I’d only met two days before gently said ‘you can do this, you’re riding for Squeakers.’ Here he was, riding 111 miles with type 1 diabetes, but he was encouraging me! I don’t mind saying it brought tears to my eyes. That’s what the Ride is all about. With type 1 diabetes, there are going to be moments of good A1cs and moments of frustration when numbers are out of whack. But whether it is a good day or a bad day, no one is alone in this fight. No one is alone on a JDRF Ride either. You are either with another rider or group of riders or you are hearing “Go JDRF” as a blue jersey rides by.

The ride ended rightfully with six of us crossing the finish line as a group. I’ll never forget that moment. I’ll also never forget seeing the smiles from Sarah and Squeakers knowing that I succeeded in making it through my first century… riding for Squeakers. If you see a blue JDRF jersey on the road sometime give a little “Go JDRF” shout… let them know they aren’t alone.

Now back to training for next year…

Thank you Ross! I’m so incredibly proud of you, and I thank you for riding for Squeakers and so many others just like us. No matter which diabetes advocacy and research group you support, I hope at some point, you experience the camaraderie Ross mentioned. After the Ride was complete, an awards ceremony honored several riders and others — including Squeakers! Someone at JDRF found out about her riding 111 miles over the summer, and Squeakers was awarded the Spirt jersey on behalf of JDRF. What an honor! This little bundle of energy is going to do great things in the world, just wait and see!