RAGBRAI

JENNIFER: I just got home from RAGBRAI, a week-long bike ride across Iowa. It was like nothing I have ever seen in my life.

Cyclists riding through never-ending corn fields from town to town and stopping to eat, drink beer and listen to live music - not to mention the mud volleyball courts and huge super-slides that popped up at a town or two - it was like an 8-day Mardi Gras in a small-town Iowa setting.

Throughout the week, I worked with a lot of different media outlets - TV and radio stations and local papers from across the state - and I'm thrilled to see the media interest and coverage of not only Lance at RAGBRAI, but also Team LIVESTRONG.

The LAF brought to RAGBRAI a team of 150 riders, each of whom had committed to raising $1,000 for the Foundation but together surpassed their collective goal by raising more than $300,000 for the LAF. All of them were either cancer survivors themselves or were riding in honor or memory of loved ones who had been diagnosed with cancer.

Getting to know the team was an absolute highlight of my week! In between my work with the media, such fun I had running into Team LIVESTRONG members at the different towns, hearing about their adventures and the media interviews they'd done that day, hanging out back at Camp LIVESTRONG with cold Shiner and dancing into the wee hours to local bands playing at the beer garden.

And if you can believe it...I actually rode Thursday at RAGBRAI. 55 miles!

Wednesday was the busiest of days with a million things going on, and they all went off without a hitch. I was in the most euphoric of states, thrilled about the success of the day, beer in hand, when I realized that I didn't have much going on the next day until the evening.

Someone suggested I ride a leg of RAGBRAI and I said great! I'll do it! without thinking it through, and the next thing I knew I was outfitted in LIVESTRONG gear with a brand new helmet and a borrowed bike on the way. What had I gotten myself into?

If you've read my past posts, you know I haven't been on my bike hardly at all the past few months. No training, nope.

But on Thursday I rode 55 miles, thanks to Team LIVESTRONG member Julie who rode with me all day, kept me entertained and encouraged me as I rode uphill into the wind with the sun beating down. At times I thought I was not going to make it, but I rode into Independence, IA, on my bike, not on the SAG-mobile like I'd figured.

It was hard. Boy, was I sore the next day.

But if anything, I know now that I can ride the LIVESTRONG Challenge in October. If my hesitation to train was rooted in fear I couldn't do it, I know now that fear shouldn't hold me back.

I am proud of myself and I am inspired to get after my training, just as soon as I get back from my next trip to Chicago. I leave tomorrow morning and I'm back on Tuesday, but this August, it's on. I'm ready to kick my training in gear.

Missing Lauren

JENNIFER: Things just aren't the same without Lauren at work. We've been working together practically the entire time I've been at the LAF. Not only that, but we always sat next to each other or across from each other.

Literally, for the last two years and four months, whenever I needed my friend I only had to turn around and look over my shoulder or sit up straight in my chair and, unless she was traveling, there she was.

I'm really sad that she's gone. But I am really happy that she has such an amazing opportunity at National Instruments. She is going to do great there, so great.

And, of course, I know that our friendship extends far, far beyond the cubie walls at the LAF office. Lauren is one of my very closest friends, and how lucky for me that the LAF brought us together.

Changing Gears...

LAUREN: When we started this blog a few months ago, Jen and I were very open about working for the Foundation along with training for a 70-mile ride together. While we still plan to ride the 70-mile course for the LIVESTRONG Challenge in Austin in October, I wanted to share some news with you.

Tomorrow, Friday, July 13, is my last day at the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF). While I am sad to leave my full-time position with the LAF, I will continue to be involved with the organization as a volunteer and as a fundraiser for the LIVESTRONG Challenge. (Just like all of you!)

I will remain in Austin and will be joining National Instruments on a full-time basis. I will still continue to blog about my training, but you will notice that some of the work chatter will be a little different from what you have read in the past.

Thank you for all of your support along the way. I am very excited about the future, and am looking forward to serving the LAF in a new way.

LIVESTRONG!

No Rain and No Weekend Travel = Time for Riding

LAUREN: Count me in for the basic bike maintenance training. A few weeks ago, I was trying to air up my tires and realized that the pump I had at home wasn't a match for the valve on my tire. By the time I figured it out, I was left with a flat and no way to fix it. Hence, I headed down to the local bike shop and promptly bought a new pump. Although, I had to convince the bike mechanic that it wasn't a busted tube or something else more serious (i.e., read this as something that would cost more money to fix). Nope... this issue was a result of me not knowing what I was doing and then figuring it out after it was too late. After all that, I was a little embarrassed but happy to be on the riding again shortly thereafter.


It has been a long while since I have been able to ride (and a long time since I have done a blog posting - my apologies!) I did sneak in a short ride this past Wednesday morning; but it was less than 20 minutes, so I don't think it really counts. Between all of the rain we have had lately and other commitments I have had in the evening and on the weekends, today was the first day this week that I have been able to ride.


I rode the usual neighborhood route and headed to the stretch of road that is frequented by a few riders. I also read that it is a" better cardio workout" to alternate your riding pace so that is what I did. I rode as fast as I could for 2 minutes and then dropped to a more comfortable pace for 3 minutes. This lasted for about 15 minutes, which was a good challenge for me and it definitely helped pass the time. Overall, it was a good ride. Plus, I think my legs are going to be sore tomorrow.

LOG:

Total Time: 1 Hour; 3 minutes

Distance: Not quite sure; Maybe 10-12 miles

Temperature: 88 F

Same scene, take two...

JENNIFER: ...and cut! Mission accomplished. I finally got back on my bike and beat the rain and rode - about 35 minutes. I didn't go very far, but I felt great and I was so happy when I got back home that tears sort of came to my eyes. Today was a good day.

P.S. I learned about tubes today. I didn't learn how to change one, but I plan to attend one of Bicycle Sport Shop's women-only classes soon to learn all sorts of important bike maintenance lessons. L, you in?

It can't ever be that easy, right?

JENNIFER: I'm all dressed and ready to go, airing up my back tire, and somehow I break off the top part of the valve. So now my tire won't hold any air and I'm off to Bicycle Sport Shop to get my tire fixed.

I was so close to getting back on my bike! Sigh. Stay tuned.

I have these aches and pains...

JENNIFER: ...and I haven't even ridden my bike yet!

When I woke up this morning, first thing I did was stretch and pull a muscle in my arm.

Last night at the downtown Paramount Theater's showing of Breakfast at Tiffany's (tied with the Wizard of Oz as my very favorite film), my knee started throbbing. I couldn't stretch my leg out enough to make it stop so it ached from the time Doc Golightly shares his Cracker Jack with Fred Baby until the end of the movie.

Is this what it's like to be in my thirties?

Today's goal is to not spend any money, except for when I go grocery shopping later. Aside from that, I plan to ride my bike and read my new book, Eat Pray Love. I haven't started the book yet, but a lot of my friends are reading it and it sounds very good. I'm looking forward to a nice day.

Perhaps my aches and pains are due to my recent lack of exercise. Well, that changes today.

I'm dressed in my cycling gear and I'm heading out to the garage to check my tires now. Wish me luck!