Leadville Baby

Yesterday I received the news that I will be racing in the Leadville 100 mountain bike race with Courtney.  It was fitting news on the birthday of my grandfather who passed away 11 years ago.  He was the hardest working man I knew and this will be the toughest race I've ever done.

 

In the last 3 years I've been on a wild rollercoaster ride that has taken me to some of the highest mountain tops and some of the lowest valleys.  But one thing has been my constant . . . God!

 

I am where I am today, thriving and full of life because I have had his strength.  There were days I could barely get out of bed and he was there to pick me up.  I live life with pure Joy because of him. 

 

I remember the day I was told I had cancer.  I remember the day I was told I would never run again.  I remember the day the doctor (not my oncologist) said I might be able to ride a stationary bike when I asked him if I would ever be able to ride a mountain bike.  These were all gut wrenching days.  The kind of days that make or break you! I cried after receiving the news on each of these days.  But then I wiped my tears knowing that if God wanted me to ride or run again I would.

 

After several years in an out of the hospital and the birth of my twins . . . I started riding again.  It was a glorious day.  I felt freedom for the first time.

 

As I began rebuilding my life I was blessed with new opportunities.  I started coaching more people.  I run the tri training program for Fleet Feet Sacramento and I have several personal athletes.  I have so much passion for life and racing I had to share it with others. 

 

At the same time I began riding more and more.  It was difficult at first.  Hills used to be effortless, now I struggled.  It was painful and humbling.  As I climbed, I remembered all the times people would ask me about hills at my Xterra clinics.  Now I knew what they felt as they tackled them at the races. 

 

I see things differently now.  But my ability to keep forging on is still there.  Life is always challenging and there are always obstacles but I don't let them stop me.  As a dear friend said, "Why do we get excited over fighting obstacles in video games but we fall apart when we reach obstacles in life?"  I view life as I view racing (or video games) . . . every challenge makes me stronger.

 

Life doesn't stop just because it changes.  We can cry about how hard things are, or what we've lost or we can keep moving forward.  I choose to keep moving forward!

 

Powered By God,

Jamie