What are you fighting for?

I recently spent ten days of my life volunteering for the transrockies 2011 Mountain bike race from Fernie British Columbia to Canmore Alberta.  Rider after rider they rolled across the finish line.  Most of them in good spirits, some in great spirits and of course others...pale, out of breath and ready to vomit.  This is a race I myself would never do.  I figured if I were out of breath and exhausted climbing the stairs with my groceries...Then the Transrockies seven day mountain bike race, was probably not the best place for me. 

As for some of the other riders in this race...kudos to you!

 I would however like to take this opportunity to give a shout out to Team Zach Attack.  Dana Goodman and Margie Smith are Sisters, racing partners and from how it looked to me, the best of friends.  Margie Smith is an avid mountain bike racer and enjoys getting out on the path as much as she can.  Dana is a different story with a heartbreaking beginning but a motivational and inspirational middle.  I hesitate to use the word ‘end’ because as far as I am concerned, this is just the start.  I say this because a little over a year ago, Dana Goodman had to endure one of the most life altering and horrific experiences one could ever imagine. Team ‘Zach Attack’ was formed to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation® in 2010. It is in memory of Zach Laird, Dana’s son, who passed away May 2, 2010, at the age of 13 from a brain tumour called Glioblastoma. The Make-A-Wish Foundation® made it possible for Zach and his family to have an unforgettable trip to Hawaii just before he passed away.  Dana was an inspiration to everyone in this race as she says she is not exactly an avid mountain biker, yet both she and her sister managed to reach the podium at every stage of the race. I for one am moved by Dana’s spirit, drive and determination.  I can only imagine how difficult things must have been for the entire family over this last year. 
I am sorry I didn’t get this blog out sooner as Team Zach Attack was trying to reach a goal of $50,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation during the race.  However, I am sure there are people out there who will be more than happy to contact Make-A-Wish and donate in the name of Team Zach Attack for many years to come. 
I do want to make this clear that I did not write this post to raise money for any organization.  I wrote this post because I was inspired by Dana Goodman and her sister Margie Smith.  If you know anything about the Transrockies you know it is one of the most difficult mountain bike races in the world.  I know we all like to pick our hero from the celebrity athletes or the super human characters we see on the big screen.  But for me, a woman fighting for a cause and pushing though as much emotional and physical pain and exhaustion as Dana Goodman has, gets my vote for hero... EVERY TIME!