Tour de Cure Event Day 2018 – Catherine’s Story

What an awesome ride!  I am so thankful and honored to say that I participated in raising funds and awareness for diabetes, the ADA Tour de Cure in Lake Nona.  This was my first year riding on a team, Team One.  I have to say that I was a bit nervous, well more than a bit, VERY nervous.  That nervousness was short lived.  Everyone on the team was so welcoming.  From the team captain who was my initial contact and kept checking on me to Jodel and Diana who took me under their wings throughout the ride, followed by the rest of the team allowing me to draft, this first team ride I will treasure.

Fundraising kept running through my mind when I joined the team.  I kept telling myself, “how am I going to raise $1,000? I don’t know that many people.”  Well, that too was short lived.  To my delight and surprise, people were more than generous, they were genuine with why they donated.  My first donation came from a childhood friend of my brothers, 30+ years ago, imagine that!! How awesome.  The donations kept coming and at one point I literally had tears of joy from the generosity of so many people including strangers that heard of my fundraising.  THANK YOU again to all the donors, and yes I am shouting with pride! Because of your generosity I made Champion before the Champion’s Reception.

Now, let’s talk about the ride.  Starting with the weather. I have heard nightmares about how the weather is not your friend but your biggest enemy.  Well, mother nature was my best friend on Sunday morning.  The temperature started in the high 50s and rose to mid 70’s throughout our ride, hardly any winds, and not a cloud in sight.  Perfection!

When we lined up to start the ride my heart was beating so fast.  The team captain led the way and we all took off, one right after the other.  We quickly reached a steady pace of 18 to 20 mph.  The team approached the 1st rest stop and to my surprise, we kept going.  I was so glad we did not stop simply because our pace, my pace, was at the peak.  Selfish I know but in a good way. 🙂  We did stop at all the other rest stops for about 10 mins per stop.  To my discovery I love pickles.  Every rest stop had them and I ate about 3 to 4 pickle spears along with the usual slices of oranges.  It is said that pickles and pickle juice help to prevent and/or shorten cramping.  Who knew.  All in all the rest stops were instrumental in keeping the pace and helping us reach the finish line.  A special thanks to all the volunteers.  Thank you for feeding us and quenching our thirst.

Leaving the last stop and 10 miles left to reach the finish line just seemed to raise my adrenaline and I could not wait to get back on the road, crazy right?  We came across other riders just as anxious and excited, all smiling and pedaling just as fast.  As we made our final right on Lake Nona Blvd I remembered the overpass and the hill, or should I say the dreaded climb.  In the past, that climb would wipe me out.  Not this time, my pace kept steady with the help of the team and I conquered and smashed that hill.  Truth be told, it really is not a hill but feels like one. 🙂  Best part of the climb was that we met up with 4 other team members who were riding the 25-mile course.  Team One crossed the finished line together, the best part of the ride.

It was truly a pleasure riding with such amazing people for a cause that I believe one day we will find a cure.  Diabetes we kicked your behind on March 25th raising $1,330 as an individual, as a team raising $23,035, and as the ADA of Orlando raising over $900k.  GRACIAS A TODOS, THANK YOU, EVERYONE!!!

Stats for the day