73 mile Saturday

So I had the great opportunity to get away this Memorial Day weekend. Two sets of my husband's family members were vacationing and we went to visit both. One set was in Rhinebeck, NY and other set was in the Berkshire Mountains in Lee, MA. There is 73 miles between the places. I decided in an effort to train, I would cycle the distance. And so I did.
I have not cycled that far, especially solo, in a long time. Truth to tell, I was nervous, especially the first 10 miles, as I asked myself... "Can I do this? Am I crazy?" Yes and no, were my replies.
The day was a little overcast. Note to self, always carry a rain jacket and a plastic bag for my cell phone. I got caught in a down pour at mile 50. I am happy to report the cell phone survived and so did I. But I was quite chilled and never warmed up for the duration of the ride.
It was by far some of the most beautiful landscape I have seen in a long time. There is something meditative about country roads, alone, with only the sound of the gears. I had a ball.
I averaged about 15 mph and because of my husband's daudling, I actually beat him to the 2nd destination.
Cycling is my strong sport for sure. Now if I could get my swim and run that secure, I'd be unstoppable. Next stop, OHIO next weekend. Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday weekend.

The Best News I've Heard In A Long Time

The Today Show featured some great news about early detection and ovarian cancer. Click here to see the video. I am so excited... I have goose bumps. This means that the fundraising and the effort is working. We are closer than ever to locking in a method of early detection for this disease. Please continue to help out and please ask your friends to donate $5 to this campaign. Remember I am 100% self funded so all of your donations go to OCRF and the cause. WOO HOO! What a great story and what great news.

A Blog In A Blog

I got featured in the blog listed below. This woman, Sara Cox Landolt, contacted me about my cause. She is a triathlon coach and thought her blog would be a good vehicle to educate women (and men) about ovarian cancer. We did an interview and she put together the story. I think she did a good job and has also posted it on Facebook. Thanks to Sara... someone's life might get saved.
www.ironmaker.blogspot.com

Back To Back

Whew! 2 states in 1 weekend... New Jersey yesterday. Placed 1st in age, 11th overall. It was an all women's race so that sounds better than it is but still pretty cool. Yesterday's goal - I wanted to push it and see how much I would have left over for today. Next day Maryland with a completely different goal. Today I wanted to race my race but remain injury free. I did well. REALLY tough course. People were throwing up at the finish line, it was so brutal. My chip had a malfunction but I think I would have taken 4th in age and perhaps top 25% overall. Thanks to mom who helped me with the endless driving, the finances (remember this mission is self supporting)and general all around support and to all the wonderful people I met along the way. We are getting the word out about ovarian cancer and the signs and symptoms and the need for early detection. It feels so good to be doing this! 12 states down, 38 to go. If you can, please, please donate $5 to ovarian cancer research. Thanks. 3 weeks off and then on to OHIO.

A First For Me and For A Friend

Frigid temps this season and especially this week means that water temps may not even reach 60 degrees. I am racing in TWO states this weekend. NJ on Saturday and MD on Sunday. I have never done two states before and although skies will be clear and air temperature warm, the water will be freezing. The MD race is in a lake so I am not too concerned with Sunday but Saturday's race is at the Jersey Shore and the ocean will take my breath away. Double caps, earplugs and a full wetsuit are highly recommended. More to the point is racing twice in one weekend... I am a little nervous about how my body will respond.
But even more to the point is why I race. My friend Patti just completed her rounds of chemo and I am so happy for her. This weekend is for her and her triumph. I will carry her with me all weekend.
This is why I race.