Friday, May 20, 2011

The Countdown

Eighteen days until I depart and I can’t play it off any more. I have mixed feeling of nervousness, anxiousness, and excitement. This has happened in previous years and I am not going to let myself chew on my tongue as a stress reliever. No, not this time. This year I am cool, calm, and collected. Well, that is what I keep trying to tell myself. This year it is easier since I know the routine. All I have to do is pack everything Tracy tells me to and show up ready to ride my bike.

Yes, my knee is still sore and recovering. Yes, my booty is still red. But on the bright side, my hands are extremely soft after applying butt butt’r five times a day.

This weekend I will be attempting an eighty mile organized bike ride in Blanco, Texas. It is called the Real Ale bike ride with beer at the after party. Now that is my kind of bike ride! Tuesday, my bike will get mailed out to meet me in Champaign, Illinois. Until then, I am enjoying the blogs and praying the Mr. Weather has a change of heart to warm up and stop the wind.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Booty Babble

This is one of those blog entries that might be classified as TMI (too much information). This is my blog and I get to write about whatever I want, knowing full well that you might not care about my bum.

In the nine years of bike riding, this is a first for me. I recall hearing XC09 riders talk about monkey butt and now I can personally relate. This weekend the booty gets to take a break before next week, and the last weekend opportunity to get in a long ride before the bike gets mailed to Champagne. Yoga and running is the only thing my booty can take.

This morning, Roxy and I did the doggie dash. There was lots of booty sniffing going on (between the dogs) and only one dog fight. We walked three miles together and I am hoping this was enough to wear her out for the rest of the day.



Twenty-five more days and I start pedaling. Booty and all!

Monday, May 9, 2011

The Begining

Sunday, May 8th marked the beginning of the BIG ride. The CrossRoads 2011 group started off from LA to Boston. This is the group that I will meet in Champagne and ride to Boston for the grand finale. I am excited to meet a new group of riders that will soon to be new friends.

Somewhere along the way I will meet up with some XC09 riders. Harry will ride the entire eighteen days with me. Darrell will ride a week, Tom and Champ will ride a day or so.

May 8th, 2011 also marked the first mother’s day that I was without Mom. It was difficult to celebrate a day without her. I could go on about the tears and the sorrow but I want to stay focused on Boston. Today’s post is short.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

GREAT Weekend

This weekend was a GREAT weekend! Saturday was the race and Sunday my family celebrated my birthday. It was complete with cake, piñata, and presents.



Normally, I don’t get too excited about my birthday and parties but this year was different. My sister filled my mom’s shoes and organized a party that Mom would have.

In years past, I would discourage Mom from getting a piñata and would not participate in the swinging. This year I played along and let them cover my eyes and swing around at the air.



This year goes down as one of the best birthday’s and one that I will remember for years to come.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Race for the Cure, 2011

Race for the Cure, was not really a race but it is a walk to raise money to cure cancer. It’s such a worthy cause and I was ecstatic to participate in the event.

Luckily, I didn’t have to arm wrestle my sister to wear the hat Mom wore last year. If you look closely, you will see twenty ribbons on the bill of the hat. Each one signifies a year that she was cancer free.



It was a 3 mile walk and we walked right in from of the Alamo. The picture include Braden (Alexis step-brother), Alexis my niece, Angela my sister, and me! What a photo op!!

Our team name is Jugg Joggers. Check out the back of our shirts with the team name and a picture of Mom. I tried not to get emotional but a few tears rolled down my cheeks as I crossed the finish line.