A Few More Photos from the Weekend

LAUREN: It's hard to believe that the ride occurred one week ago today. It seems like ages ago now, but the experience was unforgettable and incredibly fun. Kudos to the Challenge staff for another great event.

Here are more pictures from a fun-filled weekend.

Angie Kelly and her buddy, Bruskie.

Our Prom Pose - (left to right) Melissa, Jen, Angie, Jerry and me.

All the way from Denver, Colorado - Patricia and Michael Birdsong and me.

Erica Brown working hard at the LAF Booth at the LIVESTRONG Village

Jen telling people about Prop 15 at the LAF Booth

Volunteer (and LIVESTRONG Day 2007 Delegate) Rebecca Esparza

Sue, Jen and I having some fun in the LAF Booth

Lining Up for the Start of the Ride

Steve and Ralph - our great riding partners

Preparing to Start

Low Water Crossing - We had to get off our bikes and walk across it.

Jen Riding Into the Rest Stop

Connecting with Old Friends at a Rest Stop

(left to right) Rob and Spencer Sartin, Bill Eby, me and Jen

What a view! This was at a rest stop.

Those are real longhorns. We rode past them and I stopped to take a quick photo.

Don't you love Texas?

My husband, Richard, was waiting for me at the finish line.

It was our two-year anniversary that day.



Jen and Matt, her husband. He was waiting for her at the finish line too.

Yellow Roses

JENNIFER: When our friend Michael sent us these photos from last weekend's LIVESTRONG Challenge, I couldn't keep them between just Lauren and me. It's more fun to share!

LIVESTRONG means...

JENNIFER: ...pushing through the pain and not giving up!

LIVESTRONG also means supporting each other and seeing challenges through, together.

That's what Lauren and I did today at the LIVESTRONG Challenge. We ended up doing the 40-mile ride (it was really more like 45). It was very hilly and much more difficult than last year. It was a beautiful day and we had a wonderful ride.

Thanks to Steve and Ralph for riding with us and making it such a fun day.

I'll write more later (I'm tired!) but I wanted to post a few photos.

Here we are on Ride morning - pretty morning sky!

Our friends cheering at the start line

Lauren, Ralph, Steve and Jennifer - a great team!

Are we crazy? Yes, but it's for a GREAT cause!

LAUREN: Okay folks, time flew by and the LIVESTRONG Challenge Austin is just a few days away. Are we in tip-top shape for this event? Well, not really; but it could be worse. We weren't able to train as well as we did last year, but there is nothing we can do about it now. Our strategy is to stay hydrated, pace ourselves and to have fun with our riding mates. So far, it looks like we will have two members from last year's original riding crew - Uncle Steve and Ralph. My buddy, Loubel, from Pink Ribbons Project may also join us. We tend to pick up folks along the way and that's okay by us. We enjoy the conversation and will welcome the distraction from our hurting legs any time. If you can't tell, I am really excited about this ride. So many friends will be in from out of town - including Jerry and Angie, Michael and Patricia, and Erica B. - and I can't wait to see everyone. It's going to be great!


In between the "few" training rides we had, here are a few pictures to show you what we have been doing.

UT Women's Football Clinic - That's Melanie, Mack Brown and me!




Watching the Killers at ACL Fest: That's me and Jen with our super supporters - Gwen, Melissa and Devon!




That's me and Jen watching Blue October AFTER we rode 30 miles that day!

Traveling for work: This photo is from National Manufacturing Week near Chicago. Pretty, isn't it?

UT Football Game vs. Rice: We won that one. Hook'em!

Watching my pal, Lisa, complete a Half-Ironman. That's me, Lisa, Jeff (her husband) and a real longhorn!

P.S. I just signed up to do the MS 150 (the ride from Houston to Austin) as part of the National Instruments Cycling Team. Fun times!

I think I've been in denial...

JENNIFER: It's not like I can really ignore the fact that the LIVESTRONG Challenge is almost here. I mean, I do work at the LAF.

The Challenge team sits right next to Marketing, and I've seen them working their tails off to plan the Challenge events in Philly and Portland. We get updates in monthly staff meetings and I get all the emails from the Challenge team with fundraising updates and other important information.

So the fact that the LIVESTRONG Challenge Austin will be here in 10 days is not a surprise. But am I ready for it? Welllllll...

To our credit, Lauren and I have been riding together. Two weekends ago we rode for almost two hours, the weekend before we rode for three hours, the weekend before that we rode for two...but still, we both know we're not in as good of shape for this ride as we were for last year's ride.

I'm not prepared. The more I think about it, the more nervous I get. What have I gotten myself into?

Long Time, No Blog

LAUREN: First off, my apologies to everyone for being a bad blogger. Things have been a bit crazy in my life, but are now starting to settle down. For this, I am grateful.

Let me bring everyone up to speed. How much riding have I done since I last blogged? I rode once for an hour. Am I terrified of what lies ahead on October 14? You bet! But, it will be fun and it will be a challenge for me indeed.

Here's the scoop on my other life stuff.

New Job - It's great. I am on a tremendous learning curve, but it's fun. The people are great, the technology is interesting and I am enjoying it. Here's a sneak peek of what lies ahead for me for 2007 regarding tradeshows for National Instruments. I survived my first NIWeek too!

Working Out - My new job has a gym on campus, so I have been doing yoga classes twice a week. I love it and it is a great perk to the new job. I have been sprinkling in some light cardio sessions too, which is muy bueno.

Health - Since I left LAF, I have been dealing with hypothyroidism. Luckily, it can be managed by taking a pill everyday and I have seen a MAJOR improvement in my quality of life since I have been on the meds. The down side is that I have been on "restricted exercise" since my body is adjusting to the drugs, which doesn't bode well for someone who is supposed to be training for a 70-mile ride.

Getting Older - I just celebrated another birthday a few weeks ago and I am feeling the effects of aging. I have a gray hair (sadly, it's not the first) but I am a bit intrigued by it. This one is near the front of my head and I am tracking its growth. Sad...I know.

A Visit from the Milligans - Karen (one of my BFFs) and Greg came from London for a visit. I miss her dearly and was so happy that we were able to spend time together while she was in the States. Our night on the town included a visit to Trudy's near campus (just like when we were in college) and drinks at Union Park and Molotov.

Milford's Back - One of the smartest people I know finally returned home after a summer of making the world a better place. MM and BP hosted a fabulous brunch and I was the last person to leave the fiesta. Luckily, they didn't mind it and I was grateful that I was able to spend time catching up with both of them.

Jen and Lauren's Day of Fun - Due to busy schedules and my phone being broken for what seemed like an eternity, Jen and I haven't been able to hang out or catch up on life. Hence, we scheduled a day-long fun fest that included an office design class at Pottery Barn, our first (and lengthy!) visit to Le Garage Sale, a quick run-through of the City-Wide Garage Sale and a lovely lunch at Zocalo. Fun times!

Longhorn Football - My favorite time of the year is about to begin - it's time for COLLEGE FOOTBALL! I went to Mack Brown's Football Clinic for Women on Thursday with my pal, Melanie, and we had a blast. Not only did we walk away with a bag full of goodies, we also got an autograph from Mack and a photo opp. Bring on Arkansas State. Hook'em!

The LIVESTRONG Challenge in Philadelphia is this weekend. Good luck to all of the participants! To the Challenge girls at the LAF, I hope all goes well this weekend.

That's all for now.

Lots to say on Friday

JENNIFER: I could swear that Sawyer's (LOST) friend and hair stylist left a comment on my blog, and now I can't find it anywhere which makes me think that either I forgot to publish the comment or I was dreaming when I thought I got a note from someone who knows Josh Holloway. Sigh.

Melissa and I are well into season 2 of LOST. Last night we watched episodes 5-8 of season 2, and it was the first time I was left a bit unsatisfied. Rumor has it that season 2 goes slower than season 1. Still, the show is greatness.

This weekend Lauren and I are taking a class at Pottery Barn about sprucing up your desk area at work. I hope we learn some fun tips! It's timely because soon I'll be moving my desk to a different area of the office to be closer to the rest of the marketing team. I just hope I can find good spots for my framed Wicked and Rent musical posters.

My friend Haley and I saw Wicked last month when we were in Chicago for a meeting with the YMCA. It was my third time to see it, Haley's first. I love that musical! Defying Gravity is my favorite song from Wicked, and I also like Idina Menzel's non-Wicked version of the song.

Speaking of songs and Haley, today we listened to the song by Heidi from The Hills. Spencer, um, raps during the song. Seriously?

If it doesn't rain tomorrow morning, I'm going to ride my bike. Today I got a little freaked when I learned that although the LIVESTRONG Challenge ride in Austin is 60 miles, not 70, it will feel like 70 miles or even more because of all the hills. (Thanks, Lance.) Eight weeks and counting!

Flight of the Conchords - Business Time

JENNIFER: Matt got me into watching Flight of the Conchords on HBO on Sunday nights and it's hilarious.

So what am I doing on this Friday night? Playing around on YouTube looking for Flight of the Conchords videos.

Business Time is my favorite!

I'm lost without LOST

JENNIFER: In case you were wondering what I'm doing when I'm not riding my bike, at least once a week I am watching LOST with my friend Melissa.

Here's how it started: Sometime a while back, I watched the last five minutes of some random episode. Then in May, I watched the season 3 finale and was instantly hooked.

Melissa has seen a few episodes here and there too, so we decided to embark upon the LOST adventure together.

She orders the LOST DVDs from Netflix, and once a week we get together and watch an entire DVD-worth of LOST episodes. That's four, 42-minute episodes each time. That's a lot of TV.
But it's SO good!

So, last month we watched the last four episodes of season 1, and boy, did it not disappoint.

Wow, that final episode, what a cliffhanger - made even more suspenseful by the fact that we've both been traveling the last four weeks so we can't get back together to begin watching season 2 until next week.

In an effort to capture my enthusiasm about the show...but also in the spirit of not spoiling the surprises for anyone out there who hasn't watched LOST before but might watch in the future...

I can't believe that ____ kidnapped ____ off the ____! I can't believe that ____ tried to steal ____'s ____! I wonder what's in the ____! And although this was a few episodes back, I'm still in shock...I can't believe ____ wasn't on the ____!

No spoilers, please. Melissa and I want to be surprised. We can't wait for season 2 - just a week away!

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!

This is the weekend, I just know it!

JENNIFER: This will be the weekend I finally get back in the saddle. If I keep saying it, and if I say it to more and more people, and if I post it on my blog...then I think it will be so. I'm gearing myself up to make it so.

If only the crazy, rain Texas weather would cooperate. Rain rain go away. Come again another day.

Today my friend Devon reminded me that I did not share our experiences at the Luling Watermelon Thump last Friday night. She seemed to consider this a missed opportunity. In Devon's words, "the Thump was the place to see and be seen."

Aside from the Randy Rogers Band (they were good!), some of the noteworthy things we saw at the Thump include:

• Camouflauge watermelon koozies
• A huge watermelon sign that, as the legend goes, used to be lit up with twinkle lights but now it's not
• Matching turquoise his-and-hers Lynyrd Skynyrd concert tees
• Lots of cheap canned beer with a beer tent system that operated like clockwork
• A group of friends singing and dancing around one girl who apparently indulged in too much cheap canned beer and fell down in front of us. Twice. Poor thing.
• Sparkly glitter-adorned campaign posters for the Thump Queen

On that note, congratulations to Vanessa, this year's Thump Queen, who we recognized from afar due to her tiara and sash. Also a shout-out to the Thump Princess and Thump Duchesses.

We got to Luling too late to see the watermelon eating and seed spitting contests. Next year!

Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You...

LAUREN: I'm not naming names (Jennifer), but someone (Jennifer) is having a birthday today. LOL! If you have a second, please send your birthday wishes her way.

JHL: You are a wonderful friend and I am so thankful for people like you in this world. Have a great birthday today, my friend! --lm

P.S.: I rode my bike this morning, although it was a very brief ride around the neighborhood. The weather was much cooler, and it was the start of what I am hoping will be a morning routine. Hey, you have to start somewhere!

Crucial conversations

JENNIFER: Yesterday, Lauren and I wrapped up a two-day training in Crucial Conversations.

Along with half of our colleagues (the other half took the training last week), we learned techniques for having effective conversations at work and at home.

Everyone picked a learning partner to help us identify conversations we needed to have and to practice having difficult conversations about some of the challenges we face.

Colin was my learning partner, which meant that I got to know someone who I didn't know very well before. While I have always thought Colin was a great guy, he is not someone at work with whom I typically share these types of things so I wondered how far I would go with the sharing.

(Short commercial break follows here: Colin works in the LAF's development department, and he and his team work on ways for people to get involved with the LAF through our grassroots fundraising and marathon programs. Check it out.)

How nice it was to work with Colin! He offered insightful feedback when we practiced our new techniques, and I hope I helped him, too.

On another note... Did I mention that tomorrow is my birthday? In exactly one hour and seven minutes, I will officially be in my thirties...

Where the heck have I been?

JENNIFER: I wish I had a good reason for not blogging for the past few weeks. I think about it often, but day after day has gone by without a new post.

It probably doesn't help that I still have not touched my bike. I'm frozen, and I don't know what my hang-up is. Fear that it's going to be hard when I finally get back on the bike? Shame that it's been so long? Resentment that other responsibilities have kept me from riding?

Here's what pushed me over the edge this evening and caused me to finally log back in. It's after midnight and I'm sitting on the couch finishing up some work on my laptop. CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 is in the background, and my ears perk up at the mention of cancer survivor's blog. I've just been introduced to Miles Levin.

Miles is a high school kid. He just graduated and attended prom with his girlfriend and he has cancer and is undergoing chemo. I read backwards through his blog until my eyes started to burn and tear. His beautifully written story - and his incredible strength - are inspiring.

I just had to share.

Maybe now I'll get on my bike.

Miles Levin's blog is hosted at www.carepages.com. To see the full blog you must register, and in the page search field type LevinStory.