Sunday, June 22, 2008

If Tiger Can ...

doesn't mean I have to.

I was in Reno sitting in a casino for hours with Andrew and our uncle watching Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate go head to head. Tiger eventually won the major championship in the 19th hole. It was an incredible match, the kind sports fans talk about for years. And I was there (well, in a casino) watching every drive, every pitch, and every putt ... ooo'ing and ahhhh'ing ... gasping with disappointment and cheering in celebration ... for both Tiger and Rocco!

We'd eventually learn that Tiger won the tournament playing with a broken left leg.  (Picture courtesy of www.boston.com Charlie Riedel/Associated Press)

With the Valle Reunion, I hadn't ridden in 2 weeks.  So I knew yesterday's 77-mile ride plus the scorching heat was going to be tough.  We started at 8 am on Lucas Valley Road and climbed "The Rock."  At our rest stop after the descent, someone whispered that we'd only gone 10 miles!  The heat was already getting to us.  And I was beginning to feel the twinge in my knee again. But it was after a climb at mile 31 where I had my epiphany.  I gasped for air and grunted with the last few pedal strokes.  At the top of the hill, I stopped to refuel and rehydrate, and after picking up my lung from the road, I got back on my bike and thought of Tiger.  I thought, "If he can suffer through and play with a broken leg ................................................. DOESN'T MEAN I HAVE TO!"

So I got off my bike, hopped in the SAG (support and gear) vehicle, and helped at water stops for the rest of the day.  

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I like that thought. Thanks for sharing!