The cycling training has really taken off. This past weekend we rode up in Woodland (that area off of 280 where the reservoir is just before you turn off to go to Half Moon Bay.) It was really windy and we worked on drafting. It was pretty fun. The coach has divided us into groups based on our speed. He put me in the “Fast” group – which sounds impressive but really the groups are “Fast”, “Faster” & “Fastest” – so it is a really nice way of saying that I am in the slow group. Lol. But I am ok with that. It isn’t a race and kind of like the Tortuous and the Hare, we will get to the finish line. The best part though is that I am feeling stronger and rides that would have wiped me out a few weeks ago are easy now. We officially finished our workshop type trainings so now I think we start focusing on distance and endurance. It should be interesting!
In our honoree news, one of our honorees has been really sick lately. He went into the hospital recently and was diagnosed with a more advanced form of Leukemia. He was given 3 options: 1) Go home with pain meds and have about 3 months, 2) mild Chemo and have about 6 months, 3) aggressive Chemo and have about 12 months. He chose option 3. He came home from the hospital for the weekend to have one last Father’s day with his family. The up side is that he has reconciled with his adult daughter who hasn’t spoken to him in 5 years. I don’t know where he is spiritually so he and his family need lots of prayer. It is strange being in a group of people who are fighting for their lives and the lives of others with out a faith or belief in the Great Physician! I am hoping to bring His love and hope to these people. They need that more than a cure.
In fundraising news - Several friends donated this past week and got me up to $350! YAY! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!I have some cash donations too which I am hoping to double with corporate matching programs. If everything comes together that I have floating around out there I should have close to $1000! That is totally awesome! I have a car wash this weekend that I am doing with my friend Kate. We are washing cars at Sports Basement in San Jose on Friday, Saturday and Sunday! If you need a car wash stop on by! If you are interested in hosting a fundraiser for me that would be awesome! Some things I am working on now are Wine Tasting Parties, Murder Mystery Nights and of course a Fondue Party.
That's the latest! I am sure I will have more tales to tell after my hill repeats on Tuesday. YIKES! If last week was the warm up, what will this week be? HELP!!! :)
Monday, June 22, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Hill Repeats
So last night we had our first "On Bike Skills & Hills Workout". It was sponsored by Integrated Performance - which I think is like a gym for athletes. It was awesome having a personal trainer help with technique going up and down the hill.
I posted earlier what my definition of a hill is. This one was no different. It happened to be about 0.8 of a mile long all of which was at what my coach would call an incline. There were a couple of parts that were inclined a bit more than others! Very little was actually gradual, most was pretty steep. I am proud to say that I made it up that hill every time! Going down, I didn't fall - which if you saw the turns and the speed...well I was happy to stay ON my bike the whole way down. I narrowly avoided eating bugs which met an untimely end on my face - so I am learning to keep my mouth closed on the decent! We worked on banking our bikes on the turns going down and pulling up on our pedals going up.
One of the problems that I have is my bike. Being a hybrid (a mix of street bike and mountain bike) I am upright and my gears don't work like the street bikes that the rest of the team has. I am having to figure out how to use my gears to the best of my advantage going up. How hard do I need to push vs. how fast I should pedal. What should my cadence be? These are all things that I am working on learning and I think will get easier with practice. All I know is that I am very happy that I made it up and down that hill 7 times last night! YAY!! I don't think I could have done it even once a few weeks ago.
I posted earlier what my definition of a hill is. This one was no different. It happened to be about 0.8 of a mile long all of which was at what my coach would call an incline. There were a couple of parts that were inclined a bit more than others! Very little was actually gradual, most was pretty steep. I am proud to say that I made it up that hill every time! Going down, I didn't fall - which if you saw the turns and the speed...well I was happy to stay ON my bike the whole way down. I narrowly avoided eating bugs which met an untimely end on my face - so I am learning to keep my mouth closed on the decent! We worked on banking our bikes on the turns going down and pulling up on our pedals going up.
One of the problems that I have is my bike. Being a hybrid (a mix of street bike and mountain bike) I am upright and my gears don't work like the street bikes that the rest of the team has. I am having to figure out how to use my gears to the best of my advantage going up. How hard do I need to push vs. how fast I should pedal. What should my cadence be? These are all things that I am working on learning and I think will get easier with practice. All I know is that I am very happy that I made it up and down that hill 7 times last night! YAY!! I don't think I could have done it even once a few weeks ago.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Honoree Story
I received this letter from a friend of a friend. Mercedes and her family have been through a tough road and she graciously shared her story with me and she has agreed to let me share it with you. I will be riding in honor of her family and what they have gone through.
Hi Susan, 6/7/2009
I'm a friend of Cheryl's and wanted to share my story. My brother did this bike event after my father passed away. We watched chronic lymphocytic leukemia slowly destroy his life over 15 years, but we were lucky, he was given 5 years upon diagnosis. Then a new experimental treatment was developed right here in Silicon Valley. The doctors were able to cure dad's leukemia with that new monoclonal treatment, but they never got a handle on the lymphoma. What they did learn through his treatment was that he either had 2 diseases, or the treatment split the disease. (They thought lymphocytic leukemia was one disease and were mystified when the lymphoma remained after the leukemia was cured). This is an area of medicine where they're actually making headway, so our $$ are working! Every year that a patient manages to survive they have a chance at a lifesaving medical breakthrough. Hats off to you for doing this!
Mercedes
Hi Susan, 6/7/2009
I'm a friend of Cheryl's and wanted to share my story. My brother did this bike event after my father passed away. We watched chronic lymphocytic leukemia slowly destroy his life over 15 years, but we were lucky, he was given 5 years upon diagnosis. Then a new experimental treatment was developed right here in Silicon Valley. The doctors were able to cure dad's leukemia with that new monoclonal treatment, but they never got a handle on the lymphoma. What they did learn through his treatment was that he either had 2 diseases, or the treatment split the disease. (They thought lymphocytic leukemia was one disease and were mystified when the lymphoma remained after the leukemia was cured). This is an area of medicine where they're actually making headway, so our $$ are working! Every year that a patient manages to survive they have a chance at a lifesaving medical breakthrough. Hats off to you for doing this!
Mercedes
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
First Ride - Los Altos Hills
Yes, it says hills. Now for those boys and girls out there who live in the flat lands, hills are what my coach calls an incline. It is where the road that you were just riding on is now perpendicular to the ground! You are cruising along minding your own business when all of a sudden you turn a corner and the rider in front of you yells - DOWN SHIFT!. Say WHAT??? You want me to take this bike where? Then, as some cruel joke SOMEONE decided to put a freaking stop sign half way up! Now, I have a delima. Coach made it very clear that we are to obey all traffic rules, but really....this one too? Seriously? Are you kidding me? Well, I did a little Hollywood stop but apparently that wasn't ok - I got told. OOPS! But hey, I made it up that twice accursed hill! We did that another 3 or 4 times during our brief little 15 mile joy ride. Rolling back into the parking lot I am slightly afraid to get off of my bike. My legs are Jello - but hey WE DID IT! We were greeted by juice, fruit, bagels and cream cheese - the works! Then we met the people who are the real reason we are here.
I met a dad who noticed a lump under is arm in April just before Passover. He was getting out of the shower and noticed something new. He thought it was a fatty tumor because it grew so fast. He has since had it removed and is undergoing Chemo to make sure everything is gone. One of his daughters was there today supporting him.
I met another team mate who is also suffering from Leukemia. He was engaged to be married and was under a lot of stress. His stomach was hurting but the doctors dismissed it as sore muscles from his cold he was getting over. Then he started to have fevers every day. Then night sweats. SIX MONTHS LATER they figured out that he had Leukemia and hospitalized him immediately. Miraculously he survived but he is still being watched and treated.
Another woman had some form of cancer (I didn't catch which kind) in her brain. She had been hit in the head with a soft ball and a week later couldn't move the toes on her left foot. She thought it was a residual problem from being hit in the head. It took about a week for them to figure out that she had cancer. She was admitted to the hospital right away to start treatment. At one point they put her into a drug induced coma because the pain that she was going to go through was more than she would be able to handle. She woke up to her normally calm husband's face telling her to be strong and keep fighting. That is when she knew that she was in real trouble. She fought for months in the hospital. Her room was plastered in pictures and letters from friends and friends of friends. It kept her going. (Lesson: never underestimate the power of a card or a note) Today she was at our event able to walk, but still limping on her left side. She is working on being able to ride a bike again. She hopes to get back on her surf board some day too.
Those are just 3 of the 5 or 6 that were there today. One wasn't able to be there because he is so sick right now and can't be around other people so we all signed a card for him. I hope to meet him soon too. It is a good reminder when the hills are tough or the ride is long - THIS IS WHY WE DO THIS!!! I am so glad to be a part of such a wonderful team.
I met a dad who noticed a lump under is arm in April just before Passover. He was getting out of the shower and noticed something new. He thought it was a fatty tumor because it grew so fast. He has since had it removed and is undergoing Chemo to make sure everything is gone. One of his daughters was there today supporting him.
I met another team mate who is also suffering from Leukemia. He was engaged to be married and was under a lot of stress. His stomach was hurting but the doctors dismissed it as sore muscles from his cold he was getting over. Then he started to have fevers every day. Then night sweats. SIX MONTHS LATER they figured out that he had Leukemia and hospitalized him immediately. Miraculously he survived but he is still being watched and treated.
Another woman had some form of cancer (I didn't catch which kind) in her brain. She had been hit in the head with a soft ball and a week later couldn't move the toes on her left foot. She thought it was a residual problem from being hit in the head. It took about a week for them to figure out that she had cancer. She was admitted to the hospital right away to start treatment. At one point they put her into a drug induced coma because the pain that she was going to go through was more than she would be able to handle. She woke up to her normally calm husband's face telling her to be strong and keep fighting. That is when she knew that she was in real trouble. She fought for months in the hospital. Her room was plastered in pictures and letters from friends and friends of friends. It kept her going. (Lesson: never underestimate the power of a card or a note) Today she was at our event able to walk, but still limping on her left side. She is working on being able to ride a bike again. She hopes to get back on her surf board some day too.
Those are just 3 of the 5 or 6 that were there today. One wasn't able to be there because he is so sick right now and can't be around other people so we all signed a card for him. I hope to meet him soon too. It is a good reminder when the hills are tough or the ride is long - THIS IS WHY WE DO THIS!!! I am so glad to be a part of such a wonderful team.
Welcome - Wait. Where Am I?
Please allow me to introduce myself. I am just your average mom juggling homework assignments for my daughter (10) along with homeschooling my son (7) while managing a home and being a wife to my ever supporting husband. This summer I have taken on an added assignment. I have decided to join Team In Training on a century cycle ride in Utah on September 19th! Now, being a busy mom I have had absolutely NO time for the gym in years and now I am training to ride 100 miles! YIKES!!!! Why would I do that? Well aside from really being tired of being tired and out of shape, I wanted to reach out and make a difference in my community by raising money for a wonderful cause.
The other day I was at an end of year pool party for some of the girls in my daughter's class. There were 10 moms sitting around chatting. Of those 10 two had fought off cancer. Last year my father and grandfather were treated for cancer. I know that we all have stories like that. Every hour 4 people die from blood cancer and 15 more are diagnosed. There are 15,000 people suffering from blood cancer in San Jose alone.
Team In Training raises money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Blood cancers affect people of all ages from young children to grandparents and everyone in between.
How the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society works:
74% of total funds raised are given directly to cancer research, education, advocacy and patient servicesoParticipants joint the team for a nominal administration feeoParticipants raise capital toward the team goaloEach team member is given a minimum support goal to raise - my minimum is $3,900
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has 4 priority programs to help reach its goal of finding cures to eliminate Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma.
Research Initiatives - Support projects throughout the world
Patient Financial Aid Program - Financial & Emotional support to those affected by blood
cancer
Public Education Programs - Provide free educational programs & materials to the public
Professional Education Program - Provide education opportunities for healthcare professionals.
As I alluded to earlier, each TNT participant agrees to raise money to benefit research and patient services for those affected by leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma. Please make a donation to help me reach my fundraising goal of $3,900 by July 1, 2009. That gives me just 4 weeks total.
Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. Remember that all donations are 100% tax deductable.
I hope you will come back to this site frequently as I will be posting blogs about my training as well as my fundraising goals. Thanks for your support!
www.tinyurl.com/susantntblog
The other day I was at an end of year pool party for some of the girls in my daughter's class. There were 10 moms sitting around chatting. Of those 10 two had fought off cancer. Last year my father and grandfather were treated for cancer. I know that we all have stories like that. Every hour 4 people die from blood cancer and 15 more are diagnosed. There are 15,000 people suffering from blood cancer in San Jose alone.
Team In Training raises money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Blood cancers affect people of all ages from young children to grandparents and everyone in between.
How the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society works:
74% of total funds raised are given directly to cancer research, education, advocacy and patient servicesoParticipants joint the team for a nominal administration feeoParticipants raise capital toward the team goaloEach team member is given a minimum support goal to raise - my minimum is $3,900
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has 4 priority programs to help reach its goal of finding cures to eliminate Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma.
Research Initiatives - Support projects throughout the world
Patient Financial Aid Program - Financial & Emotional support to those affected by blood
cancer
Public Education Programs - Provide free educational programs & materials to the public
Professional Education Program - Provide education opportunities for healthcare professionals.
As I alluded to earlier, each TNT participant agrees to raise money to benefit research and patient services for those affected by leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma. Please make a donation to help me reach my fundraising goal of $3,900 by July 1, 2009. That gives me just 4 weeks total.
Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. Remember that all donations are 100% tax deductable.
I hope you will come back to this site frequently as I will be posting blogs about my training as well as my fundraising goals. Thanks for your support!
www.tinyurl.com/susantntblog
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