No Regrets

Well, it’s safe to say this adventure did not end the way I had envisioned. I honestly believe my legs would have carried me across Manitoba, as they feel just fine. However, the mental fatigue was just too much for me, and it was all the perfect storm. I would wake up in the middle of the night and panic about the upcoming day, which left me tossing and turning the rest of the night. This meant I was running on little sleep. On top of that, the hot weather, combined with my fatigue took away my appetite. Minimal food and little sleep was a bad combination.

I have always said I believe our bodies can do more than we allow them too. I can honestly say I felt that way on Sunday. I put in 20 of the most difficult miles I have ever done thanks to the encouragement from Tracy and also Greg, Tanya and Isaiah who came out for the day to support me.

I can not say enough for my dear wife Tracy who has been a tower of strength for me! It took her no time at all to learn to drive a 31 foot motorhome. Seeing her cycle towards me down the highway after parking the vehicle is probably a vision I will keep with me forever. Tracy, you are the superstar in this adventure.

Thank you to all of you who have sent messages, thoughts and prayers our way! Thank you to family for coming to visit. 

I have to take positives from this experience, as I have done things in training this year that I would never have dreamed possible. I truly feel I left it all out there on the Trans Canada Highway.

The wife Perspective; A praise Jesus moment happened late this afternoon when Shannon asked if I had any soup along, hello he was requesting food!! We are living inside a mini Costco on wheels, but do I have soup along, NO!! No I didn’t pack soup. Well I looked up the nearest grocery store and it is only 2.2 km away, I’ve got my bike and that sounded like a quick jaunt for my experienced biking self (I was not packing Fleetwood up again to do a grocery run) BUT then I realized my parents were swinging by on their way home from Swan River; so I inquired as to their eta and asked them to stop to pick up chicken noodle soup in a can. Shortly after I realized I didn’t pack a can opener because I didn’t pack any cans. So the request changed  to a box of Lipton chicken noodle due to the lack of an opener..  
Be still my heart when we were sitting at the picnic table with my parents; me eating a warmed up

McDonald’s cheeseburger Shannon didn’t eat the night before, my parents sharing a plate I put together from our Y2K like food supply (you 20 somethings can google that reference) and Shannon eating a bowl of chicken noodle soup (and yes my mom bought extra noodles to add because those packets never have enough noodles. In the end he had more then 2 bowls and I’m starting to breath again. 
It was so wonderful to see so much family today. My heart melted when our unphased nephew came to say goodbye to our hospital like atmosphere this morning at 7:30am and saddled right up beside the bed and cheerfully said see ya later to Uncle Shannon. 
I do feel like I’m auditioning for a day time soap opera with all the tears I’ve cried but hey, that’s reality. Being able to hug my parents today was just so comforting and yes I made my dads shirt wet with more tears. 
This evening I got a real glimpse at my husband returning to himself; he was able to participate in two family visits and isn’t even in bed yet. 
I’m not ready to give up on this dream Shannon has had for years, but I don’t know what tomorrow will hold because it seems Shannon has been able to lay this week to rest. I read today ‘you have to trust in His goodness and accept that He sees the bigger picture, even if your own lens is murky.’ For me that feels very true. I’ve been praying for months asking God to sustain Shannon and give him the desire of his heart which was to run across manitoba in 7 days. He has been sustained.