Inspiration & Motivation

After facing a long morning of gravel (we've been riding through Missouri on the beautiful but unpaved Katy Trail) and strong headwinds, I took an unusually long lunch break.  This leisurely stop turned out to be one that provided me with much inspiration and motivation.

Bike & Build meets RAAM!

As Setareh and I were overlooking the Missouri River, a man came up to us and started chatting.  Turns out, he was a crew member for a woman who was also cycling across America.  The difference is that she's going from west to east. Oh, and she's 50 years old and is expecting to complete the trip in 13 days.  In the past 3 days, she's averaged an hour of sleep and has biked over 300 miles. 300 miles each day, that is.  Kathy is participating in RAAM, or Race Across America, the ultimate cyclist challenge.  Setareh and I chatted with Kathy's crew, parked nearby, and had such perfect timing that we got to see Kathy and cheer her on as she plugged away.  


Kathy is raising money for childhood cancer along the way.  She also was the first woman ever to complete a triple ironman.  Yes. A triple ironman.  What a warrior.


We were given bracelets with "Courage" written on them, which I now wear as a reminder that I have NOTHING to complain about, and that there's people out there who are truly suffering and showing real courage.  

Kathy as she passed by us!

To find out more about Kathy and her challenge, or to be instantly inspired, visit Go Kathy Go!