Now It's My Turn

Dear friends / members of my "support group" -

I'm in my 6th season with Team in Training in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I couldn't have done all of this without your love, encouragement and support. THANK YOU!

This season I want to support you - the family & friends of those dealing with the reality of blood cancers. If you know someone who has been afflicted with a blood-related cancer, I would love to ride in their honor. Please let me know their name(s), relation to you & feel free to share a short bio. These people will inspire me on each training ride and I will wear a bracelet for them on race day.

Thank you for sharing your stories and supporting me in the efforts to find a cure for blood cancers. Click here to make a donation and fund cancer research and patient care.

Go TEAM!

The History of Team Papa

Team Papa is my small groups of friends and family that have joined Team In Training to raise funds for blood cancer research. We ran & ride in homor & memory of my dad, known as Papa to his grand-kids. Our first event was in the spring of 2007 - the team included me and Melanie I. We raised a good chunk of change and I was bitten by the "endurance event bug". Papa was able to cheer me across the first two finish lines before he passed away in March 2008. Since then the team has grown and the fan club too. Here are pics of each season....
At the finish line of The Avenue of the Giants 2007. Raised over $7,500

At the finish line of Nike Women's 1/2 Marathon 2007. Raised $1,875

The Ave 2008 - Running with Lauren toward the finish line.

Solvang's Finest 2008, Team Papa riders raised $16,760

America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride Team Papa riders raised over $8,000

I wonder who will join Team Papa next? Teams now forming near you: http://www.teamintraining.org/

In the words of Ms. Spears

Woops, I did it again! Yes, I signed up for another season with Team In Training. Yes, I'm fundraising for blood cancer research and patient care. Yes, I'm asking for your support! Please donate now, donate big, donate small, donate often.

It's Been A While

After a month of ankle injury recovery I decided it was time to dig out the gear, dust off the bike and ride. It's amazing how fast the body can return to sloth! It's also amazing how quickly I felt comfortable on "The Beast".

My ankle didn't hurt to clip in & out of the pedals, phew! My muscles felt strong still, phew! However, my lungs haven't been pushed in over 30 days so that's where I got a good burn. I also haven't been eating/drinking as a rider should so about halfway through the ride my calves started to cramp up.

All in all it was a good 20ish miler with a little up and a little down. Thanks to my ride buddies who held back so I could keep up.

The cobwebs have been cleared and I am a cyclist again.

In case I haven't mentioned it before I am Community Captain for TNT's Fall Cycle Team. I'll be returning to Solvang's Finest, my first century, to see what a year of training will do.

Are you looking for a new challenge? Information Meetings are going on right now for the Fall season. Join Team In Training Ride a century, run or walk a full or half marathon, try a Tri! Change your life while saving another.

Something Else for My Mom to Worry About

Calaveras Road is one of my favorite rides. A few weeks ago there was a huge pot farm bust. Read about it

So now in addition to worrying about cars, getting lost, falling / crashing, my mom can now worry about pot farmers.

Cycling is fun!

Prayers Please

Late breaking news: Miracles DO happen!

Please read the message below from Nick's mom. She has some great news to share with all of you! Thank you so much for all your love, prayers, and support! We couldn't have found a match without you!

----------------------------------------

We learned yesterday afternoon that Stanford Cancer Center has found two donor matches for Nick out of the thirteen potential matches that had been developed by the national registry. Human leukocytes antigen (HLA) typing is used to match patients and donors for transplants. The immune system uses these antigens (markers) to recognize which cells belong in your body and which do not. Stanfordwas searching for aset often markers for the best match. Each of the two donor matches that were discovered, match tenout often criterion markers. Furtherevaluationneeds to occur on the two donors by Stanford before a final selection can be made. Moreover, up until the actual transplantevent,the national registry will continue to search for other possible donors that mightmake an even better match.

In any event it looks like Nick is going to get his chance at a transplant procedure which is hearteningindeed for all of us. Nick and his family are so very grateful to all those people behind the scenes at EMC, as well as the other large companies that joined in, The Asian-American Donor Program, the Be The Match Donor Program, all the media involved, and the Stanford/Kaiser medical teams that have helped bring about this hopeful development. We are equally thankful for all of the outpouring of personal support by individuals all over this land and around the globe for their good wishes, prayers, support, and for all the donor volunteers who have come forward this past month.

Five weeks ago, we received the devastating news that there was 0% chance of finding a donor. Due to all of the overwhelming support and response to our call to action, not one, but TWO 10 out of 10 matching markers have been found and secured. We have not been told who these angels are due to confidentiality reasons, but we are so grateful for them! Both donors will be prepped, as well as Nick, for a transplant, which should take place within 30 days. Nick still has a long road ahead of him, so we ask that you continue to keep him, as well as both donors, in your thoughts and prayers for a successful transplant. We ask you to continue to spread the word for the need for donors, as Stanford will continue to search for even more perfect matches, until the actual transplant day. Also, we never want any family to experience the hopelessness of not being able to find a donor match. The harsh reality is that there are thousands of people just like Nick waiting for a donor match to be found. Time is ticking away and they need your help too. Please continue to spread the word that every person ‘in good health’ should be tested and enlisted into the registry. Time is of the essence! This is Nick’s wish, and ours, that every person should have a fighting chance!

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and God Bless!

I know it's almost two weeks since I completed this season's ride and I haven't posted a wrap-up. I will soon, I promise. However, yesterday our team received a sad update on one of our team's honorees:Nick Glasgow I think this message is more important to share.

Here is an update on Nick, written by his Grandpa.

Our high hopes for remission were shattered yesterday. A sensitive blood test taken Tuesday night showed the cancer cells are still there even after a third round of chemotherapy. Nick's spirits have plummeted to their lowest ebb; he is fast losing his hopes of recovery. For that matter, all our spirits have been jolted.
So, now, instead of the desperately needed respite that remission would have given, the Leukemia nightmare goes on for Nick and Carole. And now, also, Nick is in a much weaker condition, physically and emotionally, in which to face further days of uncertainty and treatment. Carole is confronted with the daunting task of making vital decisions about which treatment option(s) to pursue. Stanford Cancer Clinic is searching frantically for a donor match. While this option appears to be the most promising at the moment, it is fraught with possible complications with no guarantee of success.
"Cord Blood" is another treatment option Carole is considering. This option involves the use of umbilical cord blood as a potential source for the required blood cells, again only if a match can be found for Nick. Treatment is given by the "City of Hope " organization in southern California and Nick would have to be taken there in some medically protected manner two different times. We continue to hope and pray for that miracle!

What can YOU do to help? Get yourself and everyone you know registered with the National Marrow Donor Program http://www.nmdp.org or more specifically, www.marrow.org

What Goes Up Must Come Down

On Sunday I'll be slowly climbing up & quickly rolling down these peaks & valleys around the lake.