This was a letter sent to those who are suporting me in the 2008 BP MS150 ride from Houston to Austin:
It’s three weeks away and my excitement is growing! On April 12, I’ll be clipping in and cycling off into the sunrise for about 93 miles to LaGrange. (And then I’ll wake up and do it again the next morning, arriving in Austin after about 85 or so miles!!)
Incase you’re wondering, this is going to those of you who have committed to support me in the MS 150 either through prayer, warm fuzzies or through donations to the MS Society, as well as a few of you who I thought just might be interested. This is my third update, so if you’ve missed the others and are interested I reading them, please let me know and I’d be happy to send them to you.
But on with the update…
When I wrote last I was anxious about a 67-mile ride. Well, what an amazing 67-mile ride I had, thanks to many of you! As I made the turn onto the 67-mile route (as opposed to the 45 mile route) I felt this burst of excitement and energy and a really funky tingly feeling… I was literally energized by all those prayers! There is no other way to explain it. I giggled and pedaled along and then burst out in song (The Doxology). It wasn’t long before someone cycled past me, which made me smile even bigger… I wonder what he was thinking as I was singing praises to the Lord!! The ride was fantastic, a major confidence-builder and showed me not only where my help comes from (Him) but that when my sights are set on the right things, confidence will flow from Him as well. And at the end, I felt I really could have cycled 25-30 miles if I needed to. Hooray!
The following weekend I cycled a similar, hilly route, but this time I rode 43 miles with some of the team I’ll be camping with in LaGrange (Baker Hughes). On that ride, I averaged 15.6 mph, a personal best for speed and, again it was another confidence-builder. I just love being out there, pedaling away thinking about how much God loves me. How else would I be able to ride like this?
Yesterday I rode with a new training buddy, and she showed me a beautiful, somewhat rolling route very near our house. We went for 40 miles and plan to ride a similar route, but extend it to 60 miles in one or two Wednesdays, depending on our schedules. My confidence in my distance rides is growing (Thank you for your prayers!). Now I’m working to increase my speed. Next weekend I plan to ride in back-to-back training rides. (I’m still deciding on the distances.) I’m hoping to feel encouraged at the end of the rides, and not let my average speed decrease from day one to day two. We’ll see how that goes!!
Some of you may know of my involvement with Bible in 90 Days (www.biblein90days.org). I am so excited that they are screening a cycling jersey for me to wear on day 2 of the ride!! How cool is that? (On Day 1 I’ll wear the Baker Hughes team jersey.)
If you want to follow my progress during ride, let me know… I’ll be wearing a chip through which the MS Society can send updates on my progress via text messages or email. If you want to be on the update list, let me know and I’ll send you an ‘invitation.’ Gary and I will not be riding together, so I’m excited that I can see where he is along the route by checking my phone at rest stops.
Thanks, again, for all your support of me and of the MS Society. Your prayers help me to ride stronger and your financial donations encourage me, as well as help those who are suffering the debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis. As of March 21, you have contributed $1,330!!! Thank you!!!
If you are intersted in contributing to the MS Society on my behalf, please click this link: http://www.ms150.org/edon.cfm?id=211033
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