Jennifer’s Trek Reflections

I did it!!!  I can’t believe I actually made the entire 270 miles, but I did.  I could not have made it without the support of so many.  First and foremost, God. The support of Steven has truly been a Godsend from the beginning of training to the very end. Of course, I can’t forget all of our friends and family that have helped us along the way as well as the volunteers and staff at the Tri-State Trek and ALSTDF.

The first day started out with a big hill. Just getting out of the hotel parking lot, many people fell so I just waited back in the pack of 70+ riders.  Gearing down and pedaling hard I made it up that first hill just fine. The gentle mist, wonderful cool temperatures and rolling hills made the first morning not too bad.  I hung out with Ted (our friend, Angie’s brother from Boston).  He is a far better rider than me and he provided great tips for the upcoming challenge.  Beautiful scenery, great little towns, and then the first rest stop (rest stops were set up every 13-21 miles) seemed to come in a blink.  I was starting to think I can do this; maybe I did prepare enough.

Then right before the lunch stop the sun started shining through with high humidity.  This creates a heat index.  Something people from Colorado are not that familiar with.  Think of wind chill then reverse it.  The temperature seemed to rise dramatically and really slowed me down.  I drank as though I had never drunk before and I ate more than I have ever eaten in any three days of my life.  Every rest stop the first day I had an Uncrustables (a no crust peanut butter and jelly sandwich from Smuckers) and fresh fruit with plenty of Gatorade and water.

I was hearing about the hill at the end of the day, but nothing could have prepared me.   I was in the lowest gear possible and wishing for more, but I made it up the hill.  Towards the end, I wanted to get off my bike because my legs were burning and I was incredibly winded  I just kept thinking of all those who can’t ride and have died from ALS and started crying.  Those angels really helped me up that hill.  It was amazing sight seeing Steven at the top of the hill ringing that bell saying “Great job Jennifer, I am so proud of you.”  We pulled into a room where all the bikes were to be held.   I got off and started bawling (kind of like when we were diagnosed.)  I told Steven that all I could do is think of all the people that have died from this terrible disease and I wasn’t going to stop.

So we headed for the dorms.  We were in Storrs, CT at the University of Connecticut, UConn for short.  They were nice and clean with sheets and towels provided.  The shower felt sooooo good.  I have to admit that it felt like when I gave birth to Christopher.  My legs were shaking, I felt like I had to throw up, my knees hurt so bad that I couldn’t sit on the toilet and my shoulders felt like they were up to my ears.  I got dressed (didn’t do my hair or put any makeup on) and headed to my massage that Steven had so kindly set for me!!!  It was great, and after 11 hours of riding I just wanted to head to bed.  I had had it.  But Steven said no, you have to eat something.

We went down to the eating area and I got a little food down, still feeling terrible.  I remember telling Steven that if I feel this way tomorrow it wouldn’t be possible to ride.  On the way back to the room we ran into Mat (the Event Coordinator.) He said he would send up the nurse to check on me.  So in the room Mary Beth came to my rescue with a little help from Steven and Ty.  With both knees iced and elevated while trying to eat some crackers, I went to bed.  I know some of you are thinking I might have been dehydrated but I don’t think so because I went to the bathroom 5 times that evening.  Well, about 4am I woke up and was feeling quit a bit better.   Still sore, but I was determined to ride, so I Chamoise Butt’rd (slippery goop for a rider’s groin area) my bike shorts and went back to bed until 5:30am.

I woke up and got dressed, figuring if I can just make it to the 1st rest stop, maybe I would quit there.  We lucked out with another cool start, but this time a bit more rainy.  Ty hung with me most of Saturday and I started out with my knee brace on.  Most everyone was moving a little slower on the second day, but just as determined.

The most motivating person I met for the day was Daryl Goss with his girlfriend Robin.  Daryl was set to ride the second day and so was Robin until she injured her knee two days before the ride, but it worked out good for us because Steven rode with her that day.  You see Daryl has ALS and was riding!!!!!  What an inspiration he is to me and so many others.  While on the ride we talked a bit.  I remember we were waiting for the ferry to take us across the CT River and he asked if I was really selling my bike after the Trek was over.  I told him yes and that riding didn’t fill my soul.  It was a lot of work for me and very lonely.  It seemed to represent what it is going to be like when/if Steven is gone and I’d rather put on a headset of great music using our Nordic Track at home for an hour and call it good for the day.  Anyway, it took too much time away from Steven and Christopher training and I felt extremely guilty leaving all the time.

Daryl seemed to be kind of miffed at my response but didn’t say much.  Later that day he told me that he thought about it and told me that it means more that I did this ride because it is something I don’t even enjoy and to train so hard and do such a long ride so unselfishly he highly admired me.  I thanked him and told him how much I admired him, and he said he loved to ride!!!

Saturday was a much easier day on the whole but it was very still difficult for me.  There were several large hills, but not like the prior day.  The big issue for Saturday was the rain.  It was really coming down and I had never trained in the rain so I was especially scared going downhill!  With the help of Ty saying don’t think about completing to entire ride just little legs you can do it.  It reminds me of ALS or any other disease if we think about the entire disease it’s overwhelming and seems impossible.  If we take each day as it comes we can make it through it!!!

Saturday was the day of incredible views as I especially remember being right next to the ocean.  It was the day we called our riding troupe the “scenic group” because we would stop and take pictures together at great spots.  Our group consisted of Shannon, Tracy, Ty, Ted, Sylvia, Diane, Andrea and Billy (our ride marshal), with Mike coming in and out and many others at times.  We worked well together and really helped each other when needed.

The second day ended at University of Southern Connecticut after another 11 hours of riding with much poorer room conditions than the night prior.  I physically felt much better than the night before and actually dried my hair and put some makeup on after my shower.  The massage therapists were awesome, for both nights I had Bill who I “LOVE.”  He was great and took extra time with me each night…thanks Bill.

 

After very little sleep, we woke up at 4am so we would have time to eat and have it digest a bit before riding.  We were told that the slower riders had to start early since we needed to be at the staging area by 2:30pm, so our group decided we would leave at 5am.  It was still a bit dark and besides a little stop to fix my seat we were off.  Well, only two miles into the day we were given a huge hill!!!  I made it three quarters up the hill before my calf cramped up.  Ty stopped with me and we walked the last bit to stretch out.  I was on an adrenalin rush all Sunday knowing that I could make it.  Sunday was another day filled with hills both up and down; I think I actually went over 38 miles per hour which is the fastest I have gone yet.  Incredibly scary to say the least, but you start thinking that if I don’t get going it’s just going to be more work for the next uphill.

The third day was also the day I got to try out my tire changing skills.  I had never really changed a tire before, but during training a friend and I took a class at Bicycle Village on bike safety which included how to change a tire.  Luckily, I wasn’t by myself but I am sure I could have done it.  Ty was with me and said “well let’s call Rick to change the tire.”  I said no and that I took a class and knew how.  Ty really helped a lot, but when we looked down for my pump, it was missing, at some point it must have fallen off the bike.  So we had to wait until Harold came by with his CO2 pump which made the inflation much easier.  But I/we did it, and we were back on the road in no time at all.

Rest stops were well supported and after that first day I stopped eating Uncrustables and starting eating Clif bars (an organic energy bar) and fresh fruit.  Butt balm was all our best friends.  I do have to say that by the third day my butt and girl region were quit sore, but bearable thanks to butt balm.

There was an incredible hill that everyone kept talking about all day starting on Jon’s street.  It was at the end of day three; I was becoming more tired and just planned on walking it.  I made sure everyone was aware of my plans so as not to have anyone worry.  When we got to the hill, Ty was in front of me and said that he was going to pull off and walk; something or perhaps someone else (hmmm….) had other plans for me.  It was like I was being pushed up that hill by angels.  I just remember saying to myself just keep going.  It helped having people cheering us on every hundred yards and I made it.  With huge tears rolling down my face, I knew all my angels helped me up that hill.  Ty later told me I actually got faster as I went up the hill.  It was amazing, a definite “God moment.”

The rest of the ride about 10-13 miles, was pretty uneventful.  When we all rode in to the finish together in White Plains, NY, I got off my bike where Steven and I hugged and cried for I don’t know how long. We cried for so many reasons.  For me, I couldn’t believe I actually made it.  I was so proud to do this for so many; so thankful of all that had supported the ride; so thankful of all that supported and prayed for myself and all the riders for the weekend; thankful to experience the feeling I had and finally to have such a wonderful husband to be there for me.

It was incredibly nice to see Jim Presbrey, our Extra Hands COO, and his wife Joann who drove 1 ½ hours just to pick us up and take us to another friend’s home who lived another 45 minutes away, only to drive back home, we feel so blessed!

I have recovered better than I expected.  I actually worked out Thursday morning (back on the Nordic Track.)  Steven and I actually went for massages as well.  Overall I discovered during the ride that instead of feeling this was God preparing me for the future without Steven, now I have the feeling that I have so much support from so many sources that I don’t even know about.  Special thanks to Team Bishop for all you have done. Thank you to all that have supported us for so many years.  Also, for those of you who continue to support us.  I know there is a long journey ahead but I can’t be focused on the end result.  I only have today to make it through, which I guess that’s what we all should do, because the future is not guaranteed for any of us.

It WAS the hardest thing I have ever done and don’t plan on riding again next year; however, I would love to support the riders!!  I assimilate my ride to having Christopher everyday for three days.  I hope that gives perspective of my feelings!!!  I am so glad I did it as it was an amazing experience. It will forever be something I will look back on when I need extra strength and be able to pull from.  Thanks Mat and Jim for talking me into it last year…..God Bless