Scott's Ride to Conquer Cancer

Why I’m riding #2

There are about 28 million Cancer survivors in the US alone today.

I truly believe we can double this number in coming years with research, treatments and improved early detection methods.

I truly believe we can eventually batter Cancer down and defeat it altogether some day.

I’m riding 200km from Toronto to Niagara Falls because I truly believe.

Please consider supporting me with a donation. Even just $20 or $30 gets me closer to my goal. Go to http://www.conquercancer.ca/goto/scottcoates to donate online.

Why I’m riding, reason 1:

I have many reasons for committing to ride from Toronto to Niagara Falls over two days in June, (and over the next several weeks I’m going to talk about them all) but the number one reason is simply: “because I can”.

Years ago I was considerably overweight. One day I resolved to sort myself out. It sounds simplistic I know, but that really was it. One day I didn’t want to be winded by stairs anymore. I wanted to buy clothes I liked, and not have to buy what fit. So I found something deep inside me, a resolve to take control and change my life. And I did. A year or so later I had lost a little over 100 pounds and found myself at the top of the CN Tower -via the stairs. All 1,775 of them.

It was a very personal achievement for me, and the result was more than I once thought possible.

I’ve never had cancer, but I believe the struggle to survive; the determination and resolve required to beat it is not dissimilar.

Training is hard. I’m not a cyclist. I’m not even a particularly fit person. There are days in which I just don’t want to train. I don’t want to get on the bike, the stationary or the thought of bundling up to run through the cold, wet snow sounds about appealing as a triple root canal.

But then I think to myself, “people with cancer don’t want to get Chemotherapy today” and I go on.

There are days where it’s a struggle to finish. I may be behind on my target time or find myself tired and far from home with nothing to get me back but my own two feet.

But then I think “It must be a struggle just to live through the day sometimes when you’re battling cancer” and I go on.

There are days where I want to eat -and I mean Eat with a capital E! I’d love to have cake after every meal or deep-fried everything, but I can’t because it will affect my weight and in turn my stamina for the ride.

Then I think about people fighting cancer who can’t keep down a meal because of the chemo, and I stay on track.

As simple as it sounds, that’s one of the biggest reasons I’m riding; because I can.

The Ride to Conquer Cancer takes place June 11-12 2011 and I am in full training right now! It’s not too early to show your support. Please consider supporting me in any amount possible. Visit my official participant page at www.conquercancer.ca/goto/scottcoates to sponsor me online (or download a mail-in form). Tax receipts are available with a qualified donation.

And don’t forget about my GOLD SPONSORSHIP. For a minimum $50 donation you will receive a special place to post a message on my bike. It can be a tribute to someone you know affected by cancer, or it could simply be some words of encouragement to get me through the tough parts.

Training run

Today I ran my first solo run, which also turned out to be a new personal best (longest run). I did 5.01K in 38’ 42”. Not bad at all.

Check out my route and stats:

http://runkeeper.com/user/scottcoates/activity/24742005

Training run

I started going for lunch break runs with some teammates to kick start my training. We mapped out a simple course on the streets around the office and we run it 3 times a week.

Today we did 4.13K in 31:39. We’re going to try to break the 30 minute barrier on Friday.

So far, it feels great. I love the energy boost I get in the afternoon and I can already feel the difference in my leg strength. It’s good to use slightly different groups of muscles than when I cycle.

At this rate, I’m going to be ready for the ride for sure.

Check out my stats and route here: http://runkeeper.com/user/scottcoates/activity/24357552