This article was adapted from a piece originally written by CAF athlete Michelle Pinard, who shared more about her journey from lifelong runner to adaptive cyclist and the role CAF and mentor Steven Peace played along the way.

Michelle Pinard discovered her love of running at age seven, joining a local team as the “new girl” searching for friends. That simple choice turned into a lifelong passion spanning more than four decades. Over 43 years, she completed 50 half-marathons and five full marathons, achieving a personal best of 3:23 at the 2013 Boston Marathon. Running became more than exercise—it was her therapy, constant companion, and a source of joy and freedom.

A Diagnosis That Changed Everything

After finishing her last marathon in 2015, Michelle began noticing small changes: stumbling, falling, and shifts in her gait. For years, doctors were unable to explain the symptoms. Finally, in 2019, specialists at the Mayo Clinic diagnosed her with Cerebellar Ataxia, a degenerative condition that affects balance and coordination.

While she could still walk with support, running—the activity that defined so much of her identity—was no longer possible. The diagnosis was devastating. She grieved the loss of her sport for months, then began writing as a way to process the change, eventually turning her reflections into a book meant to help others facing similar challenges.

Discovering New Wheels and a New Community

During the pandemic, Michelle purchased a Peloton to stay active indoors. But the outdoors still called to her. She missed the open road, the sense of independence, and the shared rhythm of group runs. Searching for a way to return to movement, she contacted the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF).

CAF Programs Director Travis Ricks and volunteer Mike Jennings introduced her to her first adaptive recumbent trike—a model previously owned by Paralympic cyclist and CAF mentor Steven Peace.

The moment Michelle first pedaled out of the CAF parking lot, she felt a spark she thought was lost. With the wind on her face, she rediscovered the joy of motion. She began riding daily, exploring her neighborhood, attending her son’s soccer games by trike, and reconnecting with friends on rides along the California coast. In only three days, she shifted from grieving runner to excited cyclist, welcomed into a community that understood resilience and reinvention.

The Power of Mentorship

Meeting Steven Peace became a turning point in Michelle’s journey. A former U.S. Navy Officer, Steven survived a massive stroke that left him unable to walk or speak. With CAF’s support, he rebuilt his athletic career on three wheels—winning nine Para-Cycling U.S. National titles, earning 30 UCI World Cup medals, and representing the U.S. at the 2012 Paralympic Games.

Steven not only passed on his trike but also his mentorship and encouragement. His guidance helped Michelle build the confidence to set an ambitious goal: completing the Million Dollar Challenge, a 640-mile ride down the California coast. Michelle’s three-day segment from Santa Barbara to San Diego feels both daunting and exhilarating, but with Steven’s experience and her husband Mike’s support, she knows she’s ready to take it on.

Riding Into a New Chapter

Cycling has given Michelle a new way to move forward. Each weekend ride with CAF athletes reinforces that personal challenges don’t define the future—determination does. She’s found freedom, community, and purpose on her trike, proving that a new chapter can begin even when an old one ends.

This October, Michelle will ride alongside Steven and other CAF athletes during the Million Dollar Challenge, celebrating not just the miles covered but the resilience and community that made the journey possible.