Cycling to Save Lives

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

I'm training to participate in America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help support those that are currently battling a blood cancer and to help stop blood cancers from taking more lives . I am riding 100 miles in honor of Phyllis Bubar and all those who have been and will be affected by a blood cancer. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society helps save lives and needs your support to reach their ultimate goal - a cure!

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. Every little bit helps!

Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support!

Week 12 (48 miles):

A bit of a shorter ride but we upped the climing. We did almost as much climbing as we'll do in Tahoe but in half the distance. We went up and through Rancho Palos Verdes twice starting and ending in Hermosa Beach. It was a gorgeous day and I now really do think that PV is prettier than Malibu. But Malibu has the dolphins. Felt pretty good after todays ride. Can't wait until next week.

Week 11 (63 miles):

Yay another east side ride. We started at Victory Park in Pasadena and it took me all of ten minuted to get there. The extra sleep was much needed. We went from Victory Park all the way to Claremont! I couldn't believe it. Claremont seems far even by car and to think I got there using my own two legs on two wheels made me feel so good. I can't believe how far I've come. It was such a pretty day and eventhough I was worried after having trouble last week I made sure to eat lots and drink lots and I was just fine.

Week 10 (60 miles):

Back to Malibu. They were trying to mentally prepare us for today but they just succeeded in scaring most of us. Encinal Canyon was tough but I did it. Even saw some dolphins along the way. I love that about Malibu. It was just dealing with the rolling hills getting back to Pepperdine from Point Mugu that I didn't do so well with. I used up all my legs on the early climb, or I didn't eat enough, or I didn't drink enough or maybe I shouldn't have taken a vacation. I had to stop a couple of times on the way back cause I was cramping up a bit but I made it eventually. No one said you could never stop right? As long as you finish. :)

Week 9 (55 miles):

Long Beach. Back to El Dorado Park. Apparently I missed a tough ride. A bit of a flat ride this week to make up for last week. I'm glad for it too cause I didn't get to do any riding while in London and not much when I got back. Out to UC Irvine and back a bit of a chilly day but glad I could keep up with everyone. :)

Week 8 (50 miles):

A Greater LA get together at Griffith Park. I had to miss it though. It was so worth it London was amazing. Bummed about missing the 50 mile mark though.

Week 7 (45 miles):

Playa del Rey. Once again...thank goodness for my triple crank. Mandeville Canyon was a tough climb but I made it to the top with a smile on my face and an even bigger smile once we got to the downhill. My computer battery died so I don't know how fast I was going. Another nice day. Another nice ride. I'm so proud of myself I think I'll go on vacation. London here I come. :)

Week 6 (42 miles):

Rancho Palos Verdes. Perhaps even prettier than Malibu. Definately a much tougher ride than Malibu. Many rolling hills topped off with some switchbacks. Thank goodness for my triple crank. Kicked it into granny gear (well not quite as low as it would go I still have to challenge myself) and just kept peddling. I was not defeated by the switchbacks and the descent like always was much worth the climb. Beautiful day, beautiful ride. Also the furthest I've ridden ever! I feel a little bit of an addiction growing :).

Week 5 (38 miles):

Beautiful Malibu! Gorgeous day and beautiful ride. A nice change from the rain last week. Looked out for dolphins which I always see out at Zuma but didn't want to ride off the road so didn't get to see any this time. Our first real practice with some hills and they were tough but not too tough :). More hills next week!

Week 4 (30 miles):

A local ride. Yay! A real work out riding with the fast group though. We rode from the Rose Bowl to Arcadia and back. My first ride in the rain amazingly enough. I always avoided it when I was commuting. It was not so bad especially when dressed for it. Also riding with the fast group means that you're done sooner and able to just miss the torrential downpour. Too bad I decided to ride home and got soaked anyway :(. But at the end of the day it was still a great ride. :)

Week 3 (25 miles):

Circuits and paceline practice out by the airport, Westchester Parkway. Once you go with clipless shoes you can never go back, Love my Speedplay's:). Rolling hills and much sunshine. It's days like these in February that I can't complain too much about missing NYC.

Week 2 (20 miles):

Another good ride from El Dorado Park. Zipping right along. Can't wait to get more cycling gear.

Week 1:

It was a beautiful day with lots of introductory type things from people to bikes. I heard the amazing story of one of my honored teammates and am very excited and happy that I decided to do this event and help out LLS. A nice loop in El Dorado Park (Long Beach). My computer went a little wacky when I had some minor technical difficulties so I have no idea how far I went. However far it was it felt great! GoTeam!