I can’t really explain the expanse of time since my last post, it’s certainly not that I’m at a loss for things to write about. The second weekend in April, I biked the Easter Hill Country Tour (EHCT). It was bluebonnet season down here and so the rides through the hill country were especially beautiful. We started in Fredericksburg on Friday and biked 74 miles (the picture below at Enchanted Rock was from Friday) and on Saturday we began in Kerrville. I chose to ride 65 so I could be back in time to finish a project I was working on for school. Others attempted the century, 100 miles, but only rode 65 because of inclement weather. I rode with clipless pedals for the first time this weekend and I left with a nice souveneir on my left knee. I was told never to forget that I was using clipless pedals, cause that’s when I’m gonna fall. Wise words.

After I returned from the EHCT weekend, my new bike was ready. I had grown even closer to my trusty mountain bike through my training rides and trip to the coast and hill country, so it was difficult to get acquainted with my new road bike. The next weekend I took it to the Veloway, a closed track in South Austin limited to cyclists and rollerbladers, to work on turns and shifting. Now, a few weeks later, I’ve begun calling my new bike the “nice” bike. I LOVE IT. It makes me want to cry when I think about how hard I had to work to get up those hills. I’ve got new shoes and clipless pedals on my bike and it rides like a dream. The below picture doesn’t really do the tiny nature of the bike justice. For those of you that don’t know me, I am a small woman – 5’1″ in the morning. This bike is a 43cm, the smallest Trek makes. Because of this my wheels are a bit smaller than most of the team’s wheels. So, apparently, I have to work a little harder, but it’s nothing compared to riding that clunky mountain bike around town!

We’ve had some incredible speakers at our Monday evening meetings lately. Survivors telling their stories, doctors sharing their knowledge and experience, and nutritionists providing us equations for effective endurance training. I was able to bike my first century last Wednesday, the first 20 miles with the team, and the final 80 solo. After I finished I felt like a million bucks, I know it was thanks to the nutritionist because on previous long rides I never felt that great sometimes up to a day after the ride. Now I have the recipe for success…and it includes protein enhanced cookies!
The last two weekends we’ve spent at Relays for Life around town. Relay for Life is an event sponsored by the American Cancer Society. People create teams and raise money for cancer. Then they meet at the Relay for Life and at least one member of the team must walk or run around the track from 7pm to 7am. There are so many survivors there! The stories are truly amazing. In fact, I’ve begun to realize survivors everywhere I turn. I feel like I’m always telling people about the Texas 4000 and they’re always willing to share stories about their fights against cancer. It’s what makes it all worth it.

School and work have taken a lot of my time lately. One more week and I’ll have another semester under my belt. I recently received an award (and lots of teasing) for being the Teaching Assistant of the year at UT. This came at an especially good time, because we’ve just been notified about each rider’s “out of pocket” expenses for the trip. My award will almost cover it. I’m still working hard at my fundraising efforts. My benefit concert on May 15 is a go and it’s gonna be fantastic. I’ll post more on that soon!!!