Rachael's Training Journal

On Team in Training we wear ribbons for the people we are cycling, swimming, and running for. I have a few loved ones I will be honoring on that day. Who would you like to honor? I would more than happy to wear their names on my jersey. They don't have to have leukemia and lymphoma...just any cancer. You can even nominate yourself. Training for me was about getting fit and overcoming physical and mental obstacles...But in the end it's the support of Team in Training that got me there. It was the cancer survivors who I trained along with that reminded me how important it all was.

You can't lose when you join Team in Training. You do things that others, and sometimes yourself, find to be either impossible or all out crazy. The people on the team are great and wonderfully fun. And as you're out their changing and saving lives your own life begins to change. Fundraising is crazy but every time some one personally thanks you for your efforts you realize it's all worth it. I can now say that the LLS has saved my friends lives.

I am DETERMINED to make Century Honolulu happen. Don't forget to send in those donations. Again, I need to make a large hunk of change to buy myself more time. ($650 in the next three days to be exact) So send in those donations. Just a couple of dollars is all I ask..and if you intended to send more than do the small donation now and the rest later.

The ride yesterday SUCKED but I achieved about 70 miles. Yesterday was windy, and we rode some bumpy roads to avoid the wind. The cobblestone roads left everyone saddle sore and our hands ached. Winds, especially heavy winds, are not kind to cyclists. I fell off my bike twice while clipping out because I was so tired. I'm ok...just smalls scrapes and bruises. But the tape on my handle bars are chewed and my helmet is scratched. The coaches said that this was the toughest ride of the season. It sure wore ME out. But you know what? Now that I think about it...I think this is the first time I did the ride in Malibu with NO stops. My only stop was to pull over after a steep hill and rehydrate. Last time I was there I couldn't wait until I was up at the top...I had to do it right then in the middle of the doomy steepness.

Next week we do somewhere from 80 to 85 miles. I hope it's not windy like yesterday. Despite all that I'm really excited. I'm almost at a century guys! Type to you later.

GO TEAM!