So it all started like this: Mario (a friend of mine for many many years and volunteer fire fighter for the City of Mission) climbs into his bunker fire fighter gear and runs 2.2 miles with the additional est. 100 lbs on top of him. Please understand that this is NOT Nike dri-fit technical tee material. This is some seriously HOT – STEAMING HOT – DANGEROUSLY HOT for your body temperature type of gear!!!
And he does it!!! He completes over two miles in his gear and tags me with my own “love” sign for my Momma.
I then grab my bike and sprint as fast as I can *against* the oncoming cyclists (because they are all ahead of me – I was the last bike out because of the time it took for Mario to run in his gear) and have to pedal harder faster to do the best I can to try to catch up to the rest of the crowd.
The cool brisk morning was welcoming for Mario in his gear but the wind cut into me like stabbing knives. My nose was running and I didn’t want to let go of the handle bars to wipe. I figured I was the only one left out there and no one would see anyway!!! (I know… nasty, but hey, ya gotta do what ya gotta do) I knew this path. It was 6.6 miles of bumpy chipped gravel road looping through the river town of Granjeno. I remember going smoothly over the first set of railroad tracks and then it was a blur… the second set of rail road tracks was when I cried out to myself… “DON’T YOU SLOW DOWN!!! Momma help me!”
It was just a couple of minutes after that when I felt the winds change and the smell of gas. “Big John” – Team McAllen’s cycling group’s favorite preacher and now my Saint – was right behind me on his motorcycle. As I reached a stop light (yes, I obey traffic laws), he yelled out to me “You’re going FAST!!!” and then never left me until I reached the transition point.
Thank goodness for my practice and advice from Coach Sandy Overly!!! I expected the transition line, looked for it and finally – as gracefully as I could – extended my right leg over the bike and ran myself in for the tag back to Mario.
And there he went – the heroic fireman off to extinguish cancer for Erica with yet another 2.2 mile run in full gear.
My legs were wobbly like jello. I had practiced transitions but not at this speed nor at this distance yet. I remember smiling and being pretty dang proud that I was a part of this amazing story.
After a brief rest, I was startled by my young rock star SEBASTIAN (I’m sure you’ll be hearing more about him later in my adventures) as he ran up to me and exclaimed “He’s coming! He’s coming! Mario is coming!” I sprang up from the sidewalk and ran over to him with tears rolling down my cheeks. “I’m so dang freakin proud of you!!!” I yelled out.
And we crossed the finish line together – for Erica.
I understand that Team Erica has raised over $30,000 this week. All proceeds are going directly to her. Unfortunately, I know all too well how much cancer costs a family. $30k will last one month.
There is so much need!!! I simply do not understand why our human race is so far behind on this disease.
RunMyssieRun 