MS Bike Ride 2016

So it is that time again for my yearly check with my neurologist and my annual foray into the wilds of Iowa for the Multiple Sclerosis Society MS Ride.  This is their biggest fundraiser and they raised over $100000 this year just from the Iowa ride.

It was going to be a hot and steamy ride this year, and my dad was not training for RAGBRAI so we opted for an 8am start.  I got to chat with a couple of my MS activist friends who also have MS and saw Dr Hughes (the leading MS doc in the state of Iowa) cutting a check for $100 to get signed up for the ride and clear his donation requirements.

Hubby Joe, myself, and my dad Joe at the start of the ride

The ride to Slater was nice and my dad and I caught up on our adventures since our last visit.  Joe rode along behind and the morning was lovely with a light tailwind but a bit sticky especially as the heat was rising.  We made it to the Slater oasis point and refilled our water bottles and got a snack, etc. and then rolled back south to Ankeny.  

Since we did this ride the weekend after my half Ironman I was feeling the toll of a bit of a strong headwind in the quads and was glad we only did 25 miles that day (did I mention I was sore from walking the 1/2 marathon the weekend before... totally uses different muscles to walk that far.)  Anyway it was a great ride with a couple of my favorite guys.

Here is a shout out to all the wonderful people who made donations to the MS Society on my behalf (I will add to this as more come in): The Schneider Family, Kate J., George K., Judy and Gary E., Teammate Greg G., collegues Matt H. and Bob Y., and family members Becky B., Sheila C., Mary and Dean L., Gloria M., and my awesome parents Joe and Gail.  Written thank yous are coming your way. It isn't too late to donate (July 29th is this year's cutoff) so go to this link today  and help researchers find a cure for MS.

As for my annual check up with my neurologist he said keep doing what I am doing.  He also said I can take a two week med break in August when I go backpacking in Isle Royale with my cousin.  It will be a nice break... and in bonus news one of the MS meds in trials right now just got a fast track with hopes for release in FY2017.  It is a different kind of drug and I am very interested in this one.  Last bit of MS related news I have been tentatively accepted into Dr Wahl's clinical nutrition trial to look at how two documented MS food plans effect MS fatigue in people with the kind of MS I have so I am super excited about that but I expect Thanksgiving and Christmas to be a bit of a food challenge yet again.

Until next time... thanks for reading. Have a great day!!