The surface is like glass gliding inches above the water. Osprey fly overhead as geese migrate north. Stroking through the marsh the only obstacle seen are floating pieces of ice. Some small enough to fill a glass, some larger than a refrigerator.

The air and water are the same temperature with the sun poking through the clouds. No boats are out, no stand up paddlers just me.

This is the perfect time to be training. It is an awkward thing to say training. I have not competed for over a decade. All activities I do are done out of the desire to do that activity.

This paddle is not out of the desire to paddle twenty miles. This paddle is about the desire to help make someone's life better.

With each stroke I take, every dip of the fingers I think of those I know that have been affected by cancer.

I paddle faster.

Then I think of those who I do not know.

I paddle harder.

I also think of those who will be affected in the years to come.

I dig deeper and push harder.

This paddle isn't about what I am doing, it is about who I can support as they show their grit against cancer.

For more info check out here. Or make a donation at:
http://www.teamduke.org/site/TR?pg=fund&fr_id=1040&pxfid=15260