Written by: Zach Rundell

Last Friday I woke up at 5:30 a.m. just like any other morning. As I was midway through my routine, I had a revelation: for the first time, in nearly two weeks, I wasn’t sore. My legs didn’t ache and my back wasn’t stiff. Then, I thought about all of the mileage I had ridden so far. We had biked nearly 700 miles through three states. It was the first time on this trip that I felt I had the strength and mental fortitude to finish the long haul to Portland, Maine.

I did not possess this confidence when I arrived in Astoria, Oregon. When I met the crew and saw my fellow riders I was very discouraged. I was told that my bike was too heavy and my tires were too big, and I wondered if I really had what it takes to ride more than 3,000 miles this summer. I reflected on all of the challenges, big and small, that I had given up on when things got hard. I carried this self-doubt along with me for 700 miles. My Friday morning revelation was more important than you might realize; it was the moment that I decided this would not be another dream I talk myself out of.

My newfound confidence was immediately challenged when I stepped outside with my bike. We had a 60+ mile trek ahead and it was pouring rain. It was as if God himself was pushing us away from Missoula, Montana. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating and it was only sprinkling, but any amount of rain for 60 miles of riding is too much rain.

Then, I gritted my teeth and buckled in. Four and a half hours later, with a lot of help from my new friends, I was able to roll up to the church in Missoula.

This isn’t easy, but with the support of Fuller Center’s awesome support crew and my fellow riders, I know I will be able to push through these next eight weeks.

P.S. will someone please mail Scott and Bob some of those breathe right anti-snoring strips...