September 13, 2010 - I DID IT!!!!!

WOW!!!! What an amazing experience. That was probably one of the hardest things I have done. The day was beautiful and sunny but we fought wind, hard wind. The hills were tough and the wind was tough but nothing compared to the fight that was and is being fought by those I was riding for! I will post pictures as soon as I can, I am tired but recovering. Thanks everyone for you support!! Even though the ride is done the fight continues.

**note - I am taking donations for 30 days after the ride, it is never to late to help a family fighting this terrible disease.

September 9, 2010 - 2 days

I am putting the last of the ribbons on my jersey tonight and heading to Northfield tomorrow afternoon. My next post will be after the ride!!! I am really excited and nervous. Watch for pictures and a post sometime on Sunday! Thanks everyone!!

**note - I am taking donations for 30 days after the ride, it is never to late to help a family fighting this terrible disease.

September 6, 2010 - Made my goal!!!

Way to go team! We did it!! Together we have made my goal!! Just think of the difference we have made in someones life. I am getting nervous and excited as the ride is only 5 short days away. I am still biking and preparing, I am praying for nice weather and no wind.

I would like to thank you all that have donated so far it means so much to me and to others that are fighting cancer...of any kind! I appreciate all of the support! It still isn't too late! We've reached the goal, lets pass it!!

August 29, 2010 - 9 0 MILES

I made my goal! 90 miles on Saturday...in 20-25mph winds. Wow that was a tough ride!! I fought for every mile! I was exhausted, excited and relieved when I saw the end in sight. Also, I knew that I can do this!! I know that I am two weeks away and shouldn't be second guessing myself at this stage of the game but 100 miles is a long way. I did a lot of thinking, singing and sight seeing. It was really fun and such a great feeling to finish! Now the actual century itself should go well :) I have rode in wind, heat and rain. Let's just hope it doesn't snow!

I would like to thank you all that have donated so far it means so much to me and to others that are fighting cancer...of any kind! I appreciate all of the support! It still isn't too late, I am really hoping to reach my goal of $1800 by August 31. :)

August 26, 2010 - Happy Birthday Girls!!!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful nieces Lydia and Elizabeth today and Katy on Aug 14!!! Wow, I can't believe how fast the time has gone.

Speaking of time flying by, the century is getting closer and closer. I have my longest ride on Saturday with a goal of 90 miles but I will be satisfied with 85 :). I am excited and nervous at the same time but it will be a good test!

I would like to thank you all that have donated so far it means so much to me and to others that are fighting cancer...of any kind! I appreciate all of the support! It still isn't too late, I am really hoping to reach my goal of $1800 by August 31. :)

See you on the road!!!

August 18, 2010 - Still Biking!

Just wanted to send a quick update and let all know that I am still biking! I have been very busy with biking, work, and this week the fair with my son! I am very excited :)

I would like to thank you all that have donated so far it means so much to me and to others that are fighting cancer...of any kind! I appreciate all of the support! It still isn't too late, I am really hoping to reach my goal of $1800 by August 31. :)

Have a wonderful week everyone!!!!

August 9, 2010 - The heat is on

Wow! What a hot week, I am currently doing well over 120 miles per week. I am bringing lots of water with and still need to stop and get a little more sometimes! Some days I am on my bike for 3-4 hours or more and that's a lot of time to think about why I am doing this and all of the ribbons I will be wearing that day. I am going to be making them soon, I will post a picture when they are done. I am very happy to say that I got to see my oldest sister and her son this week when they came up from New Mexico for a surprise visit. She and her husband are such an insipration to me! Mark is a survivor and has ran a marathon for Team in Training and Shari ran two!!! She is actually the person that I have to thank for introducing me to this wonderful opportunity.

Also, I would like to thank you all that have donated so far it means so much to me and to others that are fighting cancer...of any kind! I appreciate all of the support! It still isn't too late, I am really hoping to reach my goal of $1800 by August 31. :)

August 3, 2010 - I am an Aunt again!!

Welcome to the world Josie!! Congratualtions to my brother and sister in law on the birth of their second child Josie Francine! She was born on July 30 at 6:33 am weighing 10 pounds 6 ounces!!!!! Way to go Ang! Exactly 20 years after the birth of my oldest nephew (happy birthday Josh!) Pretty neat!

Biking has been going well, it is tough with this weather we are having. I love the heat but the humidity makes it difficult to stay hydrated. The rides are getting longer and the days are getting shorter. Before I know it September 11 will be upon us and I will be biking in Northfield. I would like to thank you all that have donated so far it means so much to me and to others that are fighting cancer...of any kind! I appreciate all of the support! It still isn't too late, I am really hoping to reach my goal of $1800 by August 31. :)

July 26, 2010

What a fun week!!! :) I had so much fun biking in Jackson, I biked from Iowa to Minnesota. I attached a couple of pictures of the trail they are in the process of building. I biked until I ran out of trail! It was curvy with lots of hills and wildlife, just amazing!!! I am going back in two weeks to do it again, I loved it. Enjoy your week everyone, thanks for coming on this journey with me. Also, thank you to all that have donated so far and for those of you that haven't it isn't too late! I appreciate all of the support!

July 21, 2010

I have been thinking a lot about all of those that have fought or are fighting cancer when I am on my bike. This is a disease that affects so many and knowing that I may help just one person is the best inspiration to keep going.

Well, I didn't quite make the 120 mark but I did log over 100 miles!! Not bad at all. This week my niece turns 5 on Friday so I will be doing my long ride in Jackson MN! Should be a fun experience. Thank you to all that have donated so far and for those of you that haven't it isn't too late! I appreciate all of the support!

July 12, 2010 - Getting Closer!!

I haven't updated in a while but I am still at it, day by day, mile by mile! This week begins training of 5 days a week, I am pretty excited about it. My goal is to put in at least 120 miles this week. I am working very hard to reach my fundraising goal as well and I am half way there. Thank you to all that have donated so far and for those of you that haven't it isn't too late! I appreciate all of the support! Tune in to see if I reach my goal of a 120 mile week!

July 2, 2010 - **** HAPPY 4TH!!! ****

Happy Birthday to my sister! She is the one who encouraged me to participate in Team in Training and I am so thankful!! I hope that everyone has a safe and happy fourth of July weekend! I will be putting in 50 on Saturday and 25 on Sunday its going to be an awesome weekend!

June 28, 2010

I had a good week this week, lots of biking! Some days it is really hard to get out there but once I am I love it!! I did 41 miles on Sunday and will be doing 21 tonight.

I am always looking for inspiration to keep me going on these long (2 - 3 hour) rides and I found this poem written by a 13 year old fighting Burkitts Lymphoma:

Walking On The Edge Of Life

© Lorna Mahan

The world keeps moving forward

as time stands still for me,

I am the kid with Cancer,

locked in battle to be free.

For all us kids on chemo

our lives are put on hold,

As we fight to stay alive,

our chances good were told.

Our attitude is courage

we live this life each day,

Just waiting for tomorrow,

praying cancer goes away.

Walking on the edge of life

We’re never looking down,

United here in front of you,

until a cure is found.

WOW! What a strong little boy! I just want to thank everyone who had donated once again, it is really appreciated! For those who haven't donated yet but want to it is not too late. Thanks for the support team!! =)

June 21, 2010

I worked a lot this week and had a graduation party Saturday (Congrats again Molly!) and my dad's birthday/fathers day Sunday (Love you dad!) so I had to squeeze in some biking when I could. I managed 21 miles Wednesday, I biked around Lake Carlos and wow was that a great ride! Definitely one I will be repeating. Saturday I wasn't feeling the best so I just did 35 miles and another 20 on sunday, but in all not a bad week! It would be nice if the rain would hold off for more than a day or two but that is how it goes. I just want to thank everyone who had donated once again, it is really appreciated! For those who haven't donated yet but want to it is not too late. Thanks for the support team!! =)

June 14, 2010

I made it!! 40 miles in the rain. It was cold but felt awesome to finish. I cannot express enough appreciation to all of you that are supporting me on this journey. I know that together we can do this!

June 11, 2010

Just a quick update...I am still at it! I did 17 miles last sunday and 17 yesterday. My plan for the weekend is 40 Saturday and 15-20 on Sunday. My niece and nephew will be graduating from Jefferson Senior High this weekend so I would like to wish them all the best in the future and say just how proud our entire family is! Way to go Lucas and Molly!! Stay tuned Sunday night to see how this 90 mile week went...

June 5, 2010 - The sky is the Limit

This morning when my alarm went off at 5:15, I thought I must be nuts! But I got my butt out of bed, ate a bowl of cereal, brushed my teeth, stretched and grabbed my helmet. I went 35 milestoday! The ride was beautiful, I saw snapping turtles, chipmunks and about ten miles into it I look to my left and see a hot air balloon! (I tried to take a picture but it just didn't turn out with the dark sky and rain trickling down.) This is not a common thing to see in Alex so imagine my surprise, it could not have come at a more perfect time. I was questioning myself about then, can I do 100 miles? Will I make a difference? The answer is yes! The sky is the limit, if I push myself I can do this and make a change even if it is just for one person. I know I will be successful with my friends and family supporting me.

Let's make a change, one person at a time. The sky is the limit.

May 27, 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

Can you imagine ME riding a BIKE from ALEXANDRIA to FARGO?! I’m not talking a motorcycle, but a good old fashioned bicycle – the kind you have to peddle!

With that image in mind, I am writing to tell you all some very exciting news. I have just registered with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s “Team In Training” to bike a century on September 11! Yes, a 100-mile bike ride!

Why am I doing this, you ask? Consider this…

• Someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer such as leukemia or lymphoma every 4 minutes.
• Every 10 minutes someone will lose their battle with a blood cancer.

For whom am I doing this? My family and loved ones have been personally touched by blood cancer…

• My boyfriend Jason’s mom, Angie, lost a battle to leukemia in 2002, leaving behind a loving husband and two son’s Jason 17 and Nic 2.
• My cousins husband Jim lost a battle to Burkitt Lymphoma in 2008, leaving behind a loving wife and two small children. A son, Nicholas and a daughter, Chelsey.
• My brother-in-law, Mark, won his fight with Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2004.

… and the list goes on and on.

This disease is very real to me. I don’t want to see another person struggle with this horrible diagnosis. As I train over the next several months and compete in the century ride in September, I am asking for your financial support in this fight. I have set a personal fundraising goal of $1,800 to support LLS with research, patient aid and education! NO CONTRIBUTION IS TOO GREAT OR SMALL…every bit helps! You can donate on line or by mail.

If you indicate that you would like your donation made in honor or in memory of someone you love who has been touched by cancer, I will wear a ribbon with their name on it as I ride in their honor.

Thank you in advance for your support! I cannot wait to keep you all updated on my progress and the advances being made by LLS. Please check out my Web site and contact me with any questions. I will look forward to hearing from you soon!

Love you all,

Amy Betterman

Racing to Save Lives

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

I'm training to participate in an endurance event 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 stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

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

I hope you will visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support!