There’s been a lot of stillness and quiet since I finished my big race. At first, it was really nice to feel like I had my life back. Dinners with friends. Wine on rooftop patios. Sleeping in on Saturdays. But then I hit this weird wall. I had all this time to kick back and think.
- What would I do next?
- Would I do another 70.3?
- Would I ever complete a full Ironman?
- Did I even want to keep racing?
What I ended up deciding was a revelation of sorts—that life I had back? Well, it includes being an athlete.
I’ve never called myself an endurance athlete, but that’s what I am. While there’s something to be said for relaxation and rest, I enjoy being active. I like having a goal and seeing the steps I need to take to reach the end result. Training is hard, but having a purpose in it is something I’ve come to enjoy.
This fall will include two JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes adventures. I am headed to Florida with my Middle Tennessee team to ride the inaugural Amelia Island route, but I’m also planning to ride in Death Valley where my life was forever changed. I’ve set a lofty goal of raising $10,000 for type 1 diabetes research this year, but I can’t do that alone. I’ll put in the miles, but I need your help to keep me going. Will you support me in my biggest fundraising goal to date on top of my biggest athletic year to date?
It’s a tax-deductible donation, and I can assure you I benefit from the research in a real and direct way. But chances are, I’m not the only type 1 diabetic you know. For 22 years, I’ve seen the benefits of this research and have excelled as a result of these therapies and advancements. I have no plans of stopping anytime soon, and neither does JDRF. Thank you for helping me, and thank you for supporting this cause.