America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride 1 Week Away

I am counting down now to the bike ride! It has been a year of blood sweat and tears...a few weeks ago, I rode 88 miles, but it was mostly flat. I have continued to have serious problems with my shoulder from the accident and I am going to do my best on the ride and I am shooting for the 100...but it may not be possible. I did get a shot of cortisone today and the surgeon thinks this will help. So, say a few prayers!

I got my shirt back today and am very pleased with "the wall of honor" See Below for the detail and close ups on these names that I am cycling in honor of.

It is getting to be an emotional time for me...a year's worth of build up...all those names are individuals to me who I love or are loved by friends....I know all their stories...some have passed on and some are still fighting....

Everyone on the team is feeling this upcoming momentous event in their own ways. We are tight and together...and that is so important. We have recently had a moment that brought us all even closer...and it has created a deeper bond between us and also began to forge a new friendship! What could be better?

In a week or so...I will put up a slide show from the Century. You will see me in this Jersey...but I will not wear it until then. It is for this special occasion only!
Thank you all for your tremendous support...it has come in many forms....support to me as one of my rehab teams, bike supporters, training partners, people who believe that I can indeed do this....even my surgeon told me today..."I think riding is good for your shoulder...even though it hurts....you are working the muscles vs letting them go lax...when the seasons over and you are resting, your shoulder will heal!" We both laughed. I will hold onto that. Much better advice than sitting on the couch eating potato chips and watching TV and getting fatter! LOL. "And so it goes"..as my dad says!

I am Cycling in Honor of these Very Special People

68 miles to Placitas and Back

Given the week I had, I was pleased with my ride of 52 miles out of 68. I missed 4 days of work due to severe shoulder pain resulting from the adjustment of my shoulder the week before. I saw 4 different Drs and therapists for the shoulder. I took tooo much aleve. I had pain shooting down my shoulder and extreme weakness in my arm, grip and numbness in my hand.

By Saturday, I still had pain, but I was determined to give it the good ole girl scout try. I am glad that I did.

The climb into Placitas was hard, but it was very beautiful and I think we w ill venture back on the motorcycle to take a look at the beautiful New Mexican "estate homes" that are perched on the Mountainside! They look more like hotels. I always wonder who lives in homes like that?

Coming back through Algodones, the wind and rain kicked up and Debbie was my human shield on 2 wheels...blocking the wind to help me fight the bike with the shoulder pain that was getting the best of me at that point. Shortly thereafter, I got into the sag and was almost happy to have made it that far.

Coach Debbie and I talked about other options in Lake Tahoe. They have 30-50 and 75 miles options rather than the 100 miles. I may need to take one of them...but we will see how things progress on this end. Having options is good!

Thanks to my team who cheered me on and supported me through the day!

The Adventure to Oakflats

It was very important for me to make it to this little cafe at the top of a long and
grueling mountain climb. The owner is the daughter of a woman who passed away as a result of cancer and I am cycling in her honor.....her name is Geraldine O'Brien.

Once at the top I met Geraldine's daughter and told her I was back and I had not forgotten her mom....I was still working at the ride and planning on riding in her mom's honor.

Meanwhile, I was in a lot of shoulder pain and continued on with the ride through Gonzales road and past Gina's house...only to have to quit because my shoulders could not hold me on the bike any more. After 4,000 feet of climbing and more than 3 hours of up.......I gave up and surrendered to the fact that I could go no further in the condition I was in.

Luckily, the A+ boyfriend Paul was our SAG and he took me in.

I saw the surgeon this morning 4/27 and he thinks I may have some nerve stuff going on and I have to have a nerve test on Wednesday. He will give me a shot of cortisone a week before the ride thinking I will have the best chance at the 100 if he gives the shot on this time line. From his lips to God's ears as we Italians say!

Oakflats Here We Come

The Friends We meet Along the Way!

I met this woman with tears in her eyes. We met at the registration booth at the Breast Cancer Walk. She spoke of her sister who was a teacher and her team chimed in what a great and fun loving person she was. She cried. I cried. I told her of my mom who was a teacher too and of what a great and fun loving person she was.....and we were sisters and daughters right then and there...fighting to find a cure for this horrid disease!

See slide show below for more pics from the walk.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer...or Cancer Sucks