LIVESTRONG 2011 UPDATE

I started my 2011 LIVESTRONG journey by sending out a bunch of letters and emails. I posted to my blog and signed up on Twitter. OMG...things have really been happening! I have already received many donations and it's been great to hear from so many people! One person I was very excited to hear from was a gentleman I met at last year's LIVESTRONG Challenge! We became buddies and this year he made a donation via my fundraising page. I was so excited to later receive an email from him telling me more awesome news...he works for a company who is matching his donation! I can't tell you how excited I was when I read this news and to know we are going to see each other again this year! It has been so fun watching my LIVESTRONG themometer going up and up! 

I also made a donation bucket and put it at the bicycle shop, Buchanan Bicycles, who is a sponsor of my racing team!  So, if you happen to be in Buchanan Bicycles be sure to drop your change or a dollar or ten in my bucket!

 Ok, I told you I started a Twitter page and I have met so many really neat LIVESTRONGers! I have even met a couple who were married last year in Dripping Springs, TX the weekend of LIVESTRONG 2010. Their names are Brad and Jennifer! Brad even sent me a picture of their surprise wedding cake! Check it out! We've decided we are going to meet this year in Austin! It will be lots of fun!

There is also this really neat guy, Dylan Trakas, who works for LIVESTRONG. He and I were emailing each other as he was helping me with some questions I had. I felt really special when the other day I got the mail and there was a handwritten note from Dylan! He has been really helpful! Thanks Dylan! I hope we get to meet in Austin! 

I know I set a much bigger goal this year over last year but I really feel like I can reach it! My Poppy always told me I could do anything I really wanted and this is something I really want to do! HELPING OTHERS ROCKS! Poppy, I am going to do it! OK...so drumroll please...I have raised...wait for it...$1, 640 (including the matching gift that hasn't posted yet)!!! I am really excited! I still have many different types of fundraisers planned so I'm really feeling confident that I can reach my goal! It takes all of us working together to help defeat cancer! I even saw a show today on how nano technology may one day help attack and destroy cancer! It takes research and your donation helps! If you can help please click here to go to my fundraising page! Thank you for all you do!

Salty & Tall Race-March 12 & 13, 2011

Racing has Officially begun for 2011!

The long awaited race season has begun and it started just like last year. My first race was the Salt Creek Criterium. I was very excited to finally get started this year but I think I wasted a lot of energy just thinking about Saturday. I felt like a soda bottle that had been shaken up and ready to explode but it didn't really go the way I planned!

Part of Team Rad-Dallas, Jay & Luke

There were five Jr.'s in Saturday's race and three of us were from the same team, Team Rad Racing. We had a good plan and most of it was executed like our coach wanted. The trouble for me started when the older boys jumped out early in the race. I felt like I needed to get more from my gears to catch them but when climbing my first hill I got cross geared. I know about crossing the chain, big ring + big gear = no no! But, there I was cross geared and trying to climb the first hill! I was trying to get my gearing corrected but it would not move! I just kept falling further and further behind! It was so frustrating!



Trying to climb...come on gears...CHANGE!



I can do this!



I finally got my gearing to move and I was starting to gain on the boy in front of me but time just wasn't on my side. I'd run out of time and laps! I believe I would have caught him if I'd been able to complete that last 1/2 lap! Oh, well, my teammates place 2nd and 3rd which was awesome! It was their first criterium ever and so I was really happy for them. I came in 5th out of 5...LAST!!! I was really mad I had made such a big mistake and couldn't help my team more! I realized that evening I had really tried to ride someone else's race instead of my own. GOOFY!! But, I had a chance for redemption! I was glad I'd signed up for the Tall Chief Cove Road Race the following day! I needed it to regain some confidence and focus on riding MY race!



Getting ready to start Tall Chief



Start of 1st climb



What a difference a day makes! Yesterday was warm with a nice breeze...today's race FREEZING, VERY WINDY...BRUTAL! This was a road race and to quote the flyer "A beautiful 20.5 mile course with demanding hills and challenging turns." They were not kidding! It was all true...beautiful, DEMANDING hills and CHALLENGING turns...I loved it! Today, I was determined to ride my race. I had a little rough start. Right off the start line my left foot slipped off the pedal while trying to get clipped in and we were starting up the 1st hill! Luckily, I saved it and no one crashed! I felt good as I started climbing and soon we were crossing the dam and heading towards some big climbs! I felt strong on the bike today and  didn't make any of the mistakes from the previous day. It was a great day on the bike! I stuck to my plan and road my race! I knew what I had in the tank and used it! When I saw the little one lane bridge I knew I was in the home stretch! I just put my head down and powered through to the end! I placed 2nd and got a silver medal! I was really proud of how much better I road on this TOUGH course!




Coming across the finish line-2nd place



1st medal of 2011 season



It was a fun weekend! I love getting out there and seeing so many racing friends! I am never happier than when I'm on my bike and doing well on it is even better! I'm so happy my season has started! Stay tuned as I have many more races scheduled!