New Challenge!

I've taken on a new challenge! I registered for the MS150. Holy Moly. 

I think it was meant to happen. The Schlumberger Cycling Club set up a table in the break room and I went over to say hi and ask questions. They handed me a flier and told me to join. Which got me thinking.... "I enjoy riding my bike. Maybe."

Then, another friend posted a bunch of photos from a different MS150 on her facebook and she was such a bad@$$. The only time that I considered myself trained up enough for the MS150 was the year I did my 70.3, but the MS150 was the weekend before the 70.3 and I am not crazy enough to do both two weekends in a row (especially when I was supposed to be tapering!) So, I started thinking about the MS150... Maybe...

I messaged a friend of mine from work knowing that he had done the MS150 in the past to ask him if he was in the SCC and ask him about his training for the MS150. He told me that he was going to convince me to sign up and then told me how he has MS. 

This is what he sent me:

I was diagnosed with MS in February 2015. At first my entire left side was numb, I ignored this thinking it was a pinched nerve and it went away after a week or so. Then a week later my entire left side was numb and tingling like my whole left side had fallen asleep. I couldn't focus at work and could barely sleep, and realized had to do something about it. My mother has MS and at that point I started becoming worried and went to see a neurologist who assured me it is not common for children of people with MS to have MS. I had brain MRI's and spinal fluid removed and tested on my 26th birthday. Shortly after, I was diagnosed with MS. I began taking Copaxone injections 3 times a week, although the current medicine only slows it down. MS is a complicated disease with many unknowns that still require a lot of research.

I was left with a very mild numbness in my left foot. I consider myself very lucky. Since then I have began eating healthier and training harder. I have always been a runner but only ran for fun a few times a week and did the occasional 5k. I am currently at my physical peak setting PRs. I completed the 2018 Texas Half Ironman 70.3  in Galveston and hope to do a few more Half Ironmans next year and the Texas full Ironman in the Woodlands the year after in 2020. I plan to fight MS with all I have, including medication, healthy eating and exercise. My life goal is for my body to be so worn out from training, competing,and living life to the fullest that if someday I require a wheelchair that I would have no regrets and not mind a chance to sit down and rest, haha. Nonetheless I want to fight MS however I can and teach others to fight it the same.

One positive thing MS can teach you is that you never know what tomorrow holds and that you shouldnt wait to achieve your goals. I may wake up tomorrow with any number of symptoms including; partial paralysis, numbness, hearing loss, vision impairment, muscle weakness, tingling sensations, loss of motor skills, and many more. I may wake up just fine for the next 30 years, *fingers crossed*. Therefore I haven't a day to waste! If I want to raise $1,000's of dollars for MS research, complete an Ironman or run the Boston Marathon I had better get started!!!

So, now I'm registered. And, I'm riding for him. 

If you would like to help me raise money for MS, click HERE

Here are a few photos from my first ride outside in almost two years. It is from the SCC Veteran's Day Ride (which is why there are actual ride photos) I especially like the one with the flag.