Why I am racing Unbound XL for the Life Time Foundation

The words associated with those who compete in the Unbound XL gravel race are often “crazy,” “stupid,” or, when a commenter wishes to conceal their true thoughts, “brave.” It’s not unreasonable that many other people believe that those who choose to ride in the race seem this way. 

However, I see the challenge of Unbound XL through a very different lens. Rather than the event being a “crazy” or “stupid” challenge, I see it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a new degree of mental and physical difficulty that will help provide me with a new perspective on what my body and mind can achieve. 

When I decided to do the XL, I recognized that this experience would be one I will never forget and one that will potentially be life-changing. More than anything else, it will be a test of planning, how I respond to setbacks that throw me off that plan, and how strong my mind is in the face of a daunting challenge. To me, this sounds much like a small-scale dry run for the rollercoaster that is called life. The plan we make for ourselves, the detours that life takes from that plan, and how we respond to those bumps help to define who we are and shape the paths that the rest of our lives take. People often say that how you respond in the face of a challenge or setback reveals your true character. 

Even if Unbound XL goes “smoothly,” it will be the biggest challenge I have ever had on a bike and likely one of the biggest challenges I have ever faced. I truly do not know what the experience will be like and how I will feel in the middle of the night when I still have 150 miles to go. I know I will, at times, feel miserable and want to quit, and I know that, at times, my ride will not be smooth, but I am fascinated by the idea of getting to experience this level of mental and physical challenge. What will the emotional roller coaster feel like? What will I think about when I am 10 hours in? How will my perception of time and the unique beauty of the terrain around me change when I am exhausted?

The unique experience of pushing one’s body and mind on the bike is something I relish in other races. Some of my most memorable races and rides were the ones that were mentally or physically the hardest due to weather, the effort, or simply the knowledge of what I had to tackle. Unbound XL will take this challenge to a new level.

Cycling has allowed me to experience these tests of mental fortitude and has helped me to gain a new perspective on how much my body and mind can achieve in a way that has helped me to tackle other challenges in life. I am incredibly fortunate to have had these opportunities to enjoy the mental and physical health benefits of cycling and simply being outside, as well as the life lessons physical activities can teach you. Because of this, I have decided to use this event to help raise funds for the Life Time Foundation, which aims to set kids up for success by providing them with access to opportunities for physical activity as well as healthy meals in school. 

I believe it is fitting to use such an event as a fundraiser for the Life Time Foundation’s work as Unbound XL and the other events that are part of it are exhibitions of the lessons one can learn through the challenge of outdoor activity, the physical and mental health benefits, and incredible community and bonds that can be created through physical activity. The point of this race is not to show people that these events are the essence of physical activity. My goal is to show that physical activity of any kind is hugely beneficial and even life-changing. Whether it is a 10-minute run to clear your head after a day at school or a game of pickup basketball that can help you develop friendships and self-confidence, physical activity is a crucial part of a great childhood and adulthood. The work LTF does to provide access to healthy food at schools and the opportunity for physical activity can play a massive part in ensuring kids grow up healthy, happy, and learn important lessons along the way that will serve them later in life! If you are able to donate to support my efforts and are interested in doing so, you can donate here.

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