Mr. Lucky

Warning, this is only partially a naked plug for props and support. Only five days left until one of those yearly events that reminds me how lucky I am--check that--how lucky we are, Mrs. Greyhound and me.

Over Saturday and Sunday, 13,000 of my closest friends and I will ride from Houston to Austin for the 2006 BP MS150. Several of the group have been injured in accidents during the training rides leading up to the event this year--including Brother Bart who is a monster runner/cyclist. His 25 mph pace line was cut off by a negligent driver just this past week and he was hospitalized. Two riders, that I know of, have been killed while on their bicycles. My continued safety, I guess, is my first good fortune, and I invite the blogger-prayers to hover along for the ride. Even 13,000 cyclists are not much of a match for Bubbah in a pickup.

I'm also lucky because there are 13,000 people along on the ride. While the crowds don't feel like luck sometimes, each of the 13,000 people has committed to raising at least $400 to support the Lone Star Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. By ride's end, this group of cyclists--many of them newbies--in all shapes and sizes--will have raised in excess of $10 million for MS research and patient support services. Mrs. Greyhound is an MS patient, and this outpouring of support makes us feel very lucky.

The fact that Mrs. Greyhound is my "pedal partner," the MS patient in whose honor I ride, is of course a huge stroke of good fotune. The success of her therapy and continued good health with minimal complications is a blessing that I take for granted all too often. During the ride, we will see hundreds of pedal partners who are not so lucky. They come out to the break points, to the roadside, to the finish line. They brave the heat (which aggravates MS symptoms) and cheer for us from their wheelchairs, on their canes, and in their walkers. They cheer for us! How backwards is that?

The final piece of luck is one we probably share. If you are a triathlete--no matter if you win your age group or are the last finisher before the course closes--you have a body that lets you train and play every day. Imagine losing that part of your life. Now, perform some act of thanksgiving for your very good fortune. Maybe, turn your good health outward and ride for a charity. If you want, you can support mine through the link on the sidebar of this page.

Just remember, the next time you wake up achy after a weekend brick, or next time you suffer booty lock as you hammer away a hill repeat, that is your very good fortune you are feeling.