Solvang Double Century Sat. March 26th

Saturday March 26th Solvang Double Century The day finally arrived my first Double Century with my husband Tom on our tandem. What a ride it was. The first 100 miles went great - 6 hours 20 minutes. We were on a roll despite two flats and the rainy weather. The next 100 it became difficult. The winds picked up. Oh how I hate head wind. And then rain too!!! That climb from Los Alamos, I thought it would never end. But we made it. We crossed Highway 154 and we're getting ready to make that last climb up Ballard Canyon Road when Tom informed me "Elisabeth we aren't going to be able to finish." " WHAT!!!!!" "Our brakes are done." I could not believe at mile 190 we have to DNF. Please say it isn't so. What a disappointment. But then Tom looked at me and said "In my eyes you finished." That was as good as crossing the finish line. Our Garmin died prior to stopping but the stats at that point 171 miles 11 hours 57 minutes 14.3 MPH average 10201 calories burned 10231 feet of climbing I know we would have finished on a windy rainy day. And just think if the ride was Sunday we would have rocked it. Actually we still rocked it. I love training for our adventure - Race Across America for Team Donate Life Organ Re-cyclers

Some reflection on training (written on Sunday)

This morning the Team Donate Life running group met up for our Sunday run since it was finally not raining. When we arrived we realized that the River City Marathon and Half Marathon was taking place on our route.  At the end of our run Tucker and I cheered for all of the runners as they passed us until the rest of our group finished.  Watching the runners made me think of my marathon training.  I’ve trained for two marathons since I had my transplant in 2008.  Before my transplant I never tried running more than 3 miles.  In fact, I ran 3 miles the morning of my transplant.  Training for a marathon begins 4 months before the actual race day.  There are many hours spent during the week logging running miles.  Now I’m back to training but now it’s on a bike and I’m logging many, many more miles.

Today after our run I took the kids to the coffee shop and we sat there enjoying a cup of coffee while visiting with good friends.  When we got home it was time for me to get back on the bike.  I got the kids settled in and hit the trainer.  I got everything set up in my room and found some TV shows that I hadn’t watched yet.  Soon enough it was time for my little Tuckerman to take a nap.  He grabbed his Lightening McQueen sleeping bag and his favorite little monkey and I tucked him into my bed.  He fell fast asleep while I pedaled. 

 

This has become the norm at my house.  Eric and I try to get training in while the kids are asleep, Chloe’s at school, one of us is home to watch the kids or if we are lucky we can get my parents to come over and watch the kids for a few hours.  The kids have become accustomed to us always training for something.  I think by now they don’t know any difference, it’s just a part of our lives.  So with two kids, Eric working full time plus some and me working at our coffee shop, Chloe’s softball, and everything else that moms and dads do, training is difficult to fit in.  But we do it.  Our team is out there on our bikes wearing our Team Donate Life jerseys pedaling hard and fast (me, not as hard and fast as everyone else).  We want to spread the word about our cause and how important it is to us and how it could be for everyone else.  Once we’ve completed Race Across America we will begin our training for CIM again and then I’m sure after that there will be more races to train for.  But for now we will just keep pedaling as much as we can fit in to our busy schedules.

Boo Rain!

First post from Eric.

I think the trainer Stacy and I use should be called a pacifier, not a trainer. Elizabeth coined the new verb "trainered". (ie- I trainered for an hour) We would much rather be out on the road than indoors. However I have caught up on quite a few shows that I lacked the time to sit in front of the tv and watch. Now I am multitasking. That accompanied with the ability for a quick trip to the bathroom in between sprints without fear of tripping on a rock, or peeing on my new non water resistant bike shoes, does have its benefits. So the rain has limited my desire to start riding to and from work for extra hills and miles, but it has also allowed me to get a more specific work out.

We did our first team ride a few weeks ago. Although we are all at different levels it was great just being around everyone with the same goal. I feel very fortunate to have met the amount and quality of people through Stacy and Elizabeth's journey. Keep pushing team! I can't wait for another Organ Re-Cycler team ride.

World Kidney Day

In celebration of World Kidney Day on March 10 a few of us on our team brought our bikes and trainers to It's A Grind so we could spread awareness of how it is important to keep our kidneys healthy.  We got to visit with people and got a few miles in on our bikes.

 

Our first big fundraiser

In February we had our 2nd annual TDL pasta feed.  It was a huge success with more than 300 people in attendance.  We had so many great local businesses who donated food, raffle prizes, silent auction items and their time.  A huge shout out to Al  DeCaprio of Strings who donated much of the food and many of the prizes.  Also, Mel's Diner, my good friend, Owen Steen who provided the tunes, Kimela Hancock of Cookie Lee Jewelry, Bicycles Plus, Brian Sharp & Benton Photography.  You guys all rock!

Here are a few pictures from the night.  Enjoy!

Welcome to our team blog!

I finally got our team's blog up and mostly working.  These last few months have super crazy busy.  We are getting very close to race time and it's time to buckle down and train.  It is my hope that the entire team (racers and crew) will post what we are doing to prepare for Race Across America; including fundraising, meetings, training and just having fun.
Please visit www.teamdonatelife.com to read about each of the team members and why we are all involved with Team Donate Life.  You can also donate to our team, see our fundraising progress, and check out upcoming Team Donate Life events.
Thanks,
Stacy