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June 15, 2005
Crohn's Bike Ride
James and I took a break from IOLS last weekend to participate in the Get Your Guts in Gear bike ride for Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis. The ride is intended to spread awareness of these diseases and to raise money for the search for a cure. The ride finished the day before our first wedding anniversary, June 13th.
Inside Out Life Story is the product of our life with Crohn's Disease. Crohn's Disease is chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, usually affecting the small intestines and colon. Crohn's and a related disease, ulcerative colitis, are the two main disease categories of a group of illnesses called inflammatory bowel disease. Both diseases involve an abnormal response by the immune system where it attacks healthy intestines.
I found out about the bike ride while James was in the hospital with a scary flare-up. I was feeling inspired to get active in the Crohn's community and I saw the ride featured on the CCFA web site. I signed us up, with James’s permission (despite what he now claims) and we began training. Our training did not progress too far, we did two official training rides (25 miles and 45 miles) and then rode our bikes to work a few days a week leading up to the ride.
When it was time to begin the ride, I was sure that we could in no way possibly complete this ride. We had not trained enough, James was still on a lot of medicine, the temperature was unexpectedly in the 90s and my tummy hurt. But we showed up and we completed the ride. It was a great experience and we met a lot of amazing people with IBD or with close family with IBD.
Posted by michelle at June 15, 2005 06:10 PM
