Just two years ago, Bonnie Moebeck lay in the intensive care unit, fighting for her life against a rare disease that had taken over her body. As an avid athlete and adventure-lover, the thought of her body shutting down on her was something Bonnie couldn’t fathom. So she did what any ultra athlete would do. She kept going when others would have quit.
Bonnie underwent multiple surgeries, including an appendectomy, a full hysterectomy and 17 bowel repairs before emerging from the hospital nearly 30 pounds lighter. She was determined to work her body back into her former form, but her persistence led to her tearing the fascia in both of her feet only two weeks after beginning rehabilitation.
Bonnie’s determination was matched only by her love of the outdoors, and after six grueling months of rehabilitation she sat perched on her bike, facing another obstacle: a two-day, 150 mile bike ride to combat Multiple Sclerosis. She overcame the course, just like the disease she fought six months earlier, only this time she did it with a few more smiles along the way.
In the following months, Bonnie would continue rehabbing in hopes of returning to full strength. But once again she found herself in front of a surgeon in hopes of repairing her painful arches. Previously, Dr. Silverman had fixed torn ligaments and tendons in her ankle and set her foot in a cast, but Bonnie couldn’t stand the restrictions the cast put on her mobility. The cast was supposed to stay on for four weeks. Bonnie cut it off after seven days.
Bonnie has since recovered from her foot injuries and continues to test her limits to this day. Her desire to push her body to the extreme has led her to sign up for the Arrowhead 135, a 135-mile course that traverses the coldest parts of Minnesota at the most frigid time of year.
Arrowhead 135 is not for your average adventure nut. What began in 2005 among a group of 10 thrill seekers has expanded into a yearly challenge for 135 of Minnesota’s best athletes. Participants can choose to bike, ski, or walk across the death-defying course. They have 48 hours to complete the course without any outside help, meaning racers must carry all the gear they need to get them through the two-day trek. From subzero sleeping bags to toilet paper, and everything in between, racers must carry their supplies throughout the 135-mile journey.
Bonnie hopes to beat the course next month on a bike. While traversing the course on bike may seem like the easiest option, bikers only average 3-5 miles per hour over the snow covered course. She’s in for a long 60 hours.
The race is a little over a month away, and Bonnie continues to train for what will be one of her biggest challenges yet. For someone who has overcome so much already, no challenge seems too tough. No matter whether she finishes the 135-mile trek or not, one thing’s for certain. She’ll do it with a smile on her face.