Yeah. Those are hills. I feel so lucky I had an amazing team to ride with today, and again I rode up every hill. When I look back on my training over the last four months, I'm constantly amazed by how far I've come and can go. I feel as though I can do Tahoe. It won't be easy, or fast, by any definition, but I can do it.

The same goes for the fundraising progress. I can't thank you all enough for your support of my fundraising and training. I really feel as though you've all been with me for every pedal stroke and every mile.

My official deadline is past, but you can still donate. Thank you all again for your support and encouragement, and your participation in this event with me.

Wow, we have come a long way. Thanks to you all, I’ve reached $2400 toward my goal of $3200 – that’s 75%! Amazing.

This update will be short. We’re in the final stretch. My final deadline is this Friday, May 18th! If you’re reading this now and haven’t donated, or even if you already have, please consider making a donation. The LLS is making a difference every day, and your dollars make that happen. An amount that may not seem like much to you can make a huge difference in the life of someone suffering from cancer, and can change the future of treatments forever. Please give generously. Together we will make a difference.

You can also support my fundraiser AND order some great candles and scents for your home. Just visit my friend Ariana's Partylite page. Click on the bar in the center of the page that reads "Click here to look up your host..." and choose me as your host. Order yourself some delicious scents and 25% will go to my fundraiser

Thank you all again so much for your support. It's great to be this close to the finish line and my goal and to have had your thoughts and wishes help get me here.

This past week has been a huge week for me for milestones. First - last Tuesday, I rode 38.9 miles from Fredrickson (Port of Tacoma), Washington, to my house in Lacey. My teammate David picked me up at work and we rode our bikes from a park and ride in Spanaway. This was my third attempt at riding home from work, and it was the first time I made it all the way before it got dark. On that ride, I rode my bicycle all the way up a hill between McKenna and Yelm that had been really overwhelming just to look at before. The rain stayed away for most of the ride and we pulled into the driveway just as the light was getting dim. It was overall a huge success.

Second, last Saturday, on our team training ride, we rode the Lake Washington Loop from Mercer Island for a total of about 55 miles. Not only did I ride up the notorious Juanita Hill, I rode up every hill on the route. My average time was less than 11 miles per hour. Theoretically, I hope to be able to finish a century in 12 hours or less, although my mentor Molly promises that the sun never sets on AMBBR in Tahoe.

My third major accomplishment is also your accomplishment. So far, we’ve raised over $2000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). That means we’re almost halfway there! If you’re reading this, and haven’t donated yet, please consider this great cause and give generously before May 19th. The LLS provides valuable medical research and patient support to people with blood cancers. Treatment advances every year because of the work of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Your donation could save a life.