What keeps me cycling this week

My training for the Ride to Conquer Cancer is underway now. I’ve done one 23km ride and surprised myself by a) completing it and b) not hurting too much. I’ve increased the length of my gym workouts, building in extra strength work to build the muscles that will power me up the hills.

Here’s the thing that is driving me on this week. Like most people, I’ve lost someone I loved to cancer. My mum died of lung cancer, eight years ago – just a few days after my first daughter was born. She lives on in my heart, but there are not many days that pass when I don’t wish she were still here to see her granddaughters growing up.

As I spin my wheels up a hill or work up a sweat at the gym, I think of her. Always my biggest supporter, mum was a generous spirit who would love to see me doing something to cancel out cancer in the lives of others.

The Rio Tinto Ride to Conquer Cancer® is a unique, two-day cycling event. On 18-19 August 2012, a couple of thousand people will cycle over 200k through Queensland’s scenic countryside to conquer cancer. The money we raise for The Ride will benefit the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, a worldwide leader in cancer research and discovery. QIMR devotes half of its research to understanding the causes of cancer and developing better diagnostics and treatments. Our efforts will have a real impact in our community, across Australia, and around the world.

If you’d like to back me in the Ride, please make a donation online. In January I’ll be offering special sales on my book Positive, about 50 amazing people who found life in the midst of cancer, to help raise funds for the Ride too. Watch this space to find out more.

[Disclaimer: those are not my legs in the photo - still a way to go before I'm that fit.]