WAYNE’S WORDS
SEPTEMBER 2006
TOPIC: 2006 MS 150

On September 9th and 10th, I ventured to Columbia to do the MS 150. The MS stands for Multiple Sclerosis and the 150 means 150 miles in two days on a bike. I got pledges from my friends and family and then it was simply a matter of me riding that distance and still being alive afterwards to assure everyone, who pledged, that I made it.

MS is a chronic, unpredictable disease that affects the myelin that surround and protects the nerve fibers of the central nervous system. When the myelin or the nerve fiber is destroyed or damaged, the ability of the nerves to conduct electrical impulses to the brain is disrupted. MS is not contagious and is not directly inherited. Most people with MS do not become severely disabled and have a normal to near normal life expectancy. The MS Society and its chapters promote research, educate advocate on critical issues and organize a wide range of programs.

My first and hopefully not my last MS 150 experience:

Friday September 8th.
I skip out of work early and head down to Columbia. I’m part of the IBM Team and we all show up under the tent at the Expo Center about 5 miles west of Columbia. Team IBM, because they are a top-5 Team in terms of donations, has a central location and the largest tent. The team is well-organized and we help set the Tiki torches around the pool, yes pool, although it was only one of those small wading pools, but hey! It’s still a pool. We visit for a while and then meet up with other team members at Olive Garden. I’m always eating at Olive Garden before some race or event. Carbo loading is still alive and well. I eat and drink too much, then head back to the Quality???? Inn to try to get some sleep.
I never sleep well in a motel and the "Quality" Inn’s bed had no quality in it.

Saturday September 9th
Up early to get everything ready for a 75-mile bike ride. The forecast is for fair skies with tempertures in the 60s to the upper 70s. The farthest I’ve ever ridden a bike was 83 miles and that was like 20 years ago. My goals were to finish and still be able to move my body the next morning. We converge with the team at the tent and we all start off by 6:30. Of course it’s cloudy and windy. The 1st day route was north of Columbia. Back about a million years again the glaciers stopped at I-70, just north of Columbia, so the ride was relatively flat and fast.

There are 3,000 people on bikes, so we take over the roads for the first 10 miles. Gradually we spread out and it turns into a less-crowded, really pleasant bike ride. The weather was actually perfect for biking, 60s and overcast, although I heard some discontent from the women on the team about no sun and too cold. We ride 10-15 miles at a time then take breaks at the rest stops. Cheerleaders, food, drinks, gifts, pads to stretch out on, music, and lots of friendly volunteers, make all the rest stops an adventure. While riding in my group, talking and looking at the scenery make the miles go by quickly. We finish up and I feel good after 75 miles. We hang out for awhile, go back to the Inn to clean up, and head back to visit and greet the other riders as they come in.

The MS Society does a great job organizing the event, the course, and the rest stops. Back at the tent, Team IBM had someone giving massages, and there was beer, margaritas, cookies and almost any thing else you might require after a long day of biking. Even though I ‘ve been eating all day long, I was craving a steak. I know, that’s like the last thing I should be eating, but, thinking back to my good old college days at Mizzou, I head over the G&D Steak House. We walk in and it’s like a time warp, the place hasn’t changed in 20 years. It’s a family run place and it has that homey feel to it. I make a mental note that the next time I stop in Columbia, instead of hitting BreadCo I’m going to G&D. A long day of biking and a great meal and I was ready to pass out. Back to the Inn for some attempted sleep.

Sunday September 10th
Managed to sleep in?? until 5:45. Guess what? I can actually move!!! We have to pack up everything because we aren’t coming back to the "Inn" for any more quality. The forecast is for cloudy with a possibility of rain.

We all start riding by 7:45 and today we are riding south of Columbia. You realize right away that the glaciers didn't get this far, so this ride is going to be anything but flat. Hills, hills and then some major hills. I enjoy this ride because I’m more familiar with this part of central Missouri. I spent 5 years at Mizzou and lived in Columbia 4 years after that. My daughter went to school here also, so, I’ve spent a lot of time in and around this area. Same plan, bike for awhile, take a break, and enjoy the scenery. We have breaks at farm houses, schools and experimental farms run by UMC. Of course the weather was warm and sunny, so certain people are euphoric today. We ride a little slower, talk a little more, enjoy the scenery a little longer, and spend more time at the rest stops, knowing that soon the ride will be over, we’ll have to pack up, and head back to reality, responsibilities and deadlines. We finish up, throw everything into the SUV, say good bye and hit DQ before the short ride back to St. Louis.

Impressions
It was great to be part of a fabulous team and a wonderful charity event. There were some really great volunteers out there and they ALL did a great job keeping us feed and watered and feeling welcomed where ever we were. It’s fun to go slow and enjoy the day, the scenery and each other, rather than racing your ass off all the time. Mid Missouri is really pretty. The transitions are still hard. To go from enjoying being with friends, taking your time biking, no cell phones, no computers, no deadlines, or bills, or pressure, or responsibilities, other than to stay upright, back to all that shit you have to do when you get back home is still hard to do. These adventures are challenging at times, and sometimes you ask yourself what the hell you’re doing. But after a day or two you look back and reflect and realize how much fun you had and how happy you were out there, getting a workout, being outside with friends, and doing something worthwhile to help others. Besides, why would I ever go to Woodlandville, Missouri?

Until Next Time,
Train Smart, Live Right
Wayne
whuckshold@yahoo.com

I met some great new friends had a great two day workout, and I will be bugging you all next year for donations.

Until next time,
Train Smart, Live Right.
Wayne
whuckshold@yahoo.com