When I signed up for the next leg of my TNT journey, I couldn't believe how excited I was to re-up and get moving on my bike to help find a cure for blood cancers.
Little did I know that a new job opportunity was going to take me out of the game only 1 month into my training. So, for now, I am foregoing the privilege of working hard to help find a cure. But this is not to say I am done with it forever...just for now.
If you were going to donate to the cause on my behalf, please consider going to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's page and finding out how else to get involved. Or send me a note and I can put you in touch with some of my fabulous teammates and you can donate on their behalf instead!
So for this season I'm out of the game...but next season I may be back in the saddle!
Ask questions, think about all we have to gain by finding a cure for blood diseases, and most importantly, get involved!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Kick-Off Meeting!
Last Saturday we had our Tahoe kick-off meeting!
Our Tucson team was small and intimate, but our Tahoe team looks to be incredible!
We haven't started the training yet, but it was great to see some familiar faces from Tucson, and get introduced to the great number of new teammates for our upcoming training season...
As always, I'll be posting here with training updates, fundraiser thoughts, and stories from the road and from my teammates.
Thanks for all the support, and PLEASE help me find a cure for blood cancers by following the link at the top of the page!
Our Tucson team was small and intimate, but our Tahoe team looks to be incredible!
We haven't started the training yet, but it was great to see some familiar faces from Tucson, and get introduced to the great number of new teammates for our upcoming training season...
As always, I'll be posting here with training updates, fundraiser thoughts, and stories from the road and from my teammates.
Thanks for all the support, and PLEASE help me find a cure for blood cancers by following the link at the top of the page!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
2 Tickets to Moby Fundraiser
On January 18, 2009, Moby is going to be at the 9:30Club in an all-night DJ set, and YOU could be there!
Doug and I scored 4 tickets before it sold out, and we're auctioning off 2 of them as a fundraiser for our 100-mile ride on America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride to support Team in Training!
It's a sold-out show, for good reason...Moby spinning all night, dancing into the wee hours...what could be better?
Here's how it's going to work: bidding starts at $60/ticket, and the highest bid received by COB Friday, January 16th (5pm EST) gets the tickets, the fun, and the knowledge that you're contributing to find a cure for blood cancers!
If you would like to bid, send an email to TNTAnyaDoug@yahoo.com.
We'll announce the winner here on Friday night at 10pm, so check back to see if you won!
Doug and I scored 4 tickets before it sold out, and we're auctioning off 2 of them as a fundraiser for our 100-mile ride on America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride to support Team in Training!
It's a sold-out show, for good reason...Moby spinning all night, dancing into the wee hours...what could be better?
Here's how it's going to work: bidding starts at $60/ticket, and the highest bid received by COB Friday, January 16th (5pm EST) gets the tickets, the fun, and the knowledge that you're contributing to find a cure for blood cancers!
If you would like to bid, send an email to TNTAnyaDoug@yahoo.com.
We'll announce the winner here on Friday night at 10pm, so check back to see if you won!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Doug and I raised over $8,000 to Fight Cancer...It's Time to Keep Fighting!
On December 31, 2008, Doug and I made a decision. We found the experience of riding for a cause exceptionally rewarding, both for the camaraderie of our fellow riders and for the knowledge of why we were riding. Between the two of us, we raised over $8,000 to fight blood cancers, thanks to the generosity of people like you. But we were warned when we started the process that it would become addictive...the rush you get knowing what good you have accomplished. So here it is...
On June 7, 2009, Doug and I will be riding another 100 miles (all in one day) in America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride in Lake Tahoe to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!
We hope you will join us in our quest to find a cure for blood cancers, and use the links above to donate to this great cause. We'll be training in the dead of winter for a while, so send warm happy hot-toddy-like thoughts our way!
On June 7, 2009, Doug and I will be riding another 100 miles (all in one day) in America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride in Lake Tahoe to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!
We hope you will join us in our quest to find a cure for blood cancers, and use the links above to donate to this great cause. We'll be training in the dead of winter for a while, so send warm happy hot-toddy-like thoughts our way!
Monday, November 24, 2008
We Did It!!!
On Saturday, November 22, 2008, at 4:06pm, we finished riding 109 miles in El Tour de Tucson, completing the ride in 9 hours and 3 minutes!
The results are here.
It was an amazing day, filled with fun, excitement, and firsts. Firsts include:
After breakfast, at 5:45am we assembled at our lovely (hah...NOT!) hotel with our Team in Training friends to head over to the start line with the 8000+ other riders.
It was at the start line that it really hits you what you are doing and how 3 months of training culminates in a great experience with friends and the satisfaction of knowing you're doing it for a great cause.
The ride started at 7am, and before long we were out in the desert, riding in a group with friends Jared and Erika. We passed an old airplane graveyard, and began a cool 9-mile descent down at 2% grade towards the mountains:
At about mile 46, we encountered the 2nd river crossing of the ride, the Sabino Creek crossing, next to Canyon Ranch. Unfortunately this involved a 3/4 mile hike, carrying our bikes, across a dusty riverbed with about 1,000 other riders who were doing the 67-mile ride. Needless to say it was exhausting. I wish I had a picture of the craziness but I think I was too stunned by the number of riders we suddenly encountered to remember!
After a nasty steep climb, we coasted to our lunch spot at about mile 56, where our hero, Jim, had sandwiches and re-supplied us with our energy gels and electrolyte drinks. A group of us took some time to take a photo before heading off for the 2nd half of our ride:
The rest of the ride passed in a blur, as we had a long slow climb that lasted about 10 miles. We passed some great scenery on the way, that I managed to remember to photo:
But after that climb, lordy were the next 15 miles FUN!!! Doug leading, the three of us (Doug, Erika, and I) averaged about 25mph down a long long decline to the valley floor. It was a blast, and we stopped at another rest stop at the bottom, mile 85, where again Jim and Jackson were waiting with beverages and an update on all our other Team members whom we hadn't seen since the start line.
After about a 10 minute stop to re-hydrate and re-fill, we were off again for the final stretch (no stopping from 85-109 miles!!!). Feeling great, we came to the finish line at 4:06pm, and met up with friends (and a much-deserved cup of bubbly!):
All in all, it was an amazing experience. You can't help getting a little teary-eyed when you finally make it 109 miles on your bike. When I think that there were people riding on Saturday that are battling cancer, or currently in treatment, I am awed at their strength and courage. I hope you will join me in making a commitment to this cause, knowing what these people are struggling with and the fight that still remains. Please help me on that last short step to my fundraising goal here.
I thank you so much for all your help in this journey, and hope you will share your thoughts with me. I plan on continuing my commitment to this cause in the future, and hope you will too!
GO TEAM!
The results are here.It was an amazing day, filled with fun, excitement, and firsts. Firsts include:
- First endurance event (for Anya)
- First time riding 100+ miles
- First time riding in a line with other riders
- First time fording a dry river bed carrying a bike with thousands of other riders (and did it twice in one day...)
- First time riding 37mph on my bike
- First time raising funds to find a cure for blood cancer!!!
After breakfast, at 5:45am we assembled at our lovely (hah...NOT!) hotel with our Team in Training friends to head over to the start line with the 8000+ other riders.
It was at the start line that it really hits you what you are doing and how 3 months of training culminates in a great experience with friends and the satisfaction of knowing you're doing it for a great cause.The ride started at 7am, and before long we were out in the desert, riding in a group with friends Jared and Erika. We passed an old airplane graveyard, and began a cool 9-mile descent down at 2% grade towards the mountains:
At about mile 46, we encountered the 2nd river crossing of the ride, the Sabino Creek crossing, next to Canyon Ranch. Unfortunately this involved a 3/4 mile hike, carrying our bikes, across a dusty riverbed with about 1,000 other riders who were doing the 67-mile ride. Needless to say it was exhausting. I wish I had a picture of the craziness but I think I was too stunned by the number of riders we suddenly encountered to remember!After a nasty steep climb, we coasted to our lunch spot at about mile 56, where our hero, Jim, had sandwiches and re-supplied us with our energy gels and electrolyte drinks. A group of us took some time to take a photo before heading off for the 2nd half of our ride:
The rest of the ride passed in a blur, as we had a long slow climb that lasted about 10 miles. We passed some great scenery on the way, that I managed to remember to photo:
But after that climb, lordy were the next 15 miles FUN!!! Doug leading, the three of us (Doug, Erika, and I) averaged about 25mph down a long long decline to the valley floor. It was a blast, and we stopped at another rest stop at the bottom, mile 85, where again Jim and Jackson were waiting with beverages and an update on all our other Team members whom we hadn't seen since the start line. After about a 10 minute stop to re-hydrate and re-fill, we were off again for the final stretch (no stopping from 85-109 miles!!!). Feeling great, we came to the finish line at 4:06pm, and met up with friends (and a much-deserved cup of bubbly!):
All in all, it was an amazing experience. You can't help getting a little teary-eyed when you finally make it 109 miles on your bike. When I think that there were people riding on Saturday that are battling cancer, or currently in treatment, I am awed at their strength and courage. I hope you will join me in making a commitment to this cause, knowing what these people are struggling with and the fight that still remains. Please help me on that last short step to my fundraising goal here.I thank you so much for all your help in this journey, and hope you will share your thoughts with me. I plan on continuing my commitment to this cause in the future, and hope you will too!
GO TEAM!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Countdown to Tucson....
Well, the training is done, the bikes are somewhere west of here being shipped to Tucson, and the nerves begin. The list of what to bring is growing, but in the end I think all we need to bring is our enthusiasm and dedication to the people who made this possible...YOU!
We fly out with the Team on Thursday, and start riding at 7am on Saturday. Hopefully I'll be able to take lots of pictures of El Tour de Tucson, to share with all those who have supported me financially or otherwise.
I'll try and send an update from the road, but until then...THANK YOU!
We fly out with the Team on Thursday, and start riding at 7am on Saturday. Hopefully I'll be able to take lots of pictures of El Tour de Tucson, to share with all those who have supported me financially or otherwise.
I'll try and send an update from the road, but until then...THANK YOU!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Final Training Ride - Tour of the Potomac
Well, on Saturday we had our final training ride. 85 miles, three states, three trails, 7 hours, a very welcome beer, and some lime Tostitos, we achieved victory, and had time for a team picture:
Literally over a river (we had to take a ferry at one point) and through the woods, it was a surprisingly grueling ride with a lot of long hills. The slopes were not too steep, but they just kept going on...and on...and on.
Nearly the whole team was there, as Coach Mark and Coach Ed threatened us with bodily harm if we didn't show up, which made it a great capstone ride for all of us. For 4 of us it was the longest distance we had ever ridden (me included).
If you had asked me at the beginning of this whether I thought I could do it, I would have said no. But thanks to the support of my Team, and thanks to the knowledge I was riding to raise money to cure blood cancers, I did it. We're having a fundraiser on Wednesday to try and meet my fundraising goal, but if you can't make it, I hope you will consider donating now to help save lives!
Here are some pictures from the road this weekend...only a week and a half until El Tour de Tucson and 109 miles!!!
Literally over a river (we had to take a ferry at one point) and through the woods, it was a surprisingly grueling ride with a lot of long hills. The slopes were not too steep, but they just kept going on...and on...and on.Nearly the whole team was there, as Coach Mark and Coach Ed threatened us with bodily harm if we didn't show up, which made it a great capstone ride for all of us. For 4 of us it was the longest distance we had ever ridden (me included).
If you had asked me at the beginning of this whether I thought I could do it, I would have said no. But thanks to the support of my Team, and thanks to the knowledge I was riding to raise money to cure blood cancers, I did it. We're having a fundraiser on Wednesday to try and meet my fundraising goal, but if you can't make it, I hope you will consider donating now to help save lives!
Here are some pictures from the road this weekend...only a week and a half until El Tour de Tucson and 109 miles!!!
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