Three More Weeks...

I have 3 more weeks before all donations have to be in and counted. This gives me 3 more weeks to raise as much money as possible for the LAF! At the moment, I'm hovering at $11,345, which I must say is one hell of a response from everyone. I honestly didn't think I would get over $10,000 when I first started the blog and decided to do this ride. So, for all of you that have committed to donating, but still haven't sent anything in, please do so as soon as possible. I'm counting on you all to help me fight this disease! In addition to the ride on Sunday 14 October, I'm doing the 5k run/walk on the Saturday before as a little extra event. I'm not a runner, so its more then likely that I'll walk the 5k. Don't forget to donate!!!

As for my continuing training.... I'll be doing the Raven Ride 61 mile route in Huntsville, Tx this Saturday. For those of you that are local and want to join, it starts at 0800. Follow the link for more information and directions to the starting sight.

$10,000 and counting!!!!

Well, I have finally done it; I have reached the $10,000 fundraising goal today. I’m so pleased with everyone’s support and encouragement! Thank you Robin for getting me through that number! I do believe I have slacked on the blog entries as of late, but honestly, I have been training. Here’s a quick summary: Sunday, 2 September I rode a flat 54 miles out west of Houston. Thankfully it was overcast, not too hot, good company. I got in a very short jog in Chicago on Thursday morning, and played golf on Friday, (but don’t think golfing counts really). Yesterday, after returning from a few days away, I rode a sponsored ride starting at the Prairie View A&M University campus, 63 miles for the Tour de Pink. This was a Pink Ribbons project fundraiser for breast cancer, this small but lively ride has raised over $225,000 for breast cancer research. Originally, I had intended to ride 80 miles, but I was too late to the start, and by the time I reached the turn off it had been closed. I rode strong for the first ¾ of the ride, keeping pace between 21-23mph, but slacked off the last ¼ due to being tired and having a few mechanical issues. Also, the pouring rain that I had encountered caused me to slow up a bit although the cool rain was very, very refreshing! Final stats for the ride, averaged 18.6mph, burned 2200 calories, and my heart rate average was 157. Not too shabby....

Here are some sponsored rides that I will likely do before my big event October 14th, in combination with my own personal rides with my “teammates.”

Ride the Coast, September 16, (distance uncertain)

The Raven Ride, September 22, 61 miles

Cy-Fair Lion’s Club Bike for Sight, September 30, 62 miles

This one is the weekend after the Ride for the Roses, but looks like it would be fun.
Bike Around the Bay, October 20-21, 170 miles total over 2 days,

One last thing, even though I have reached my goal, I will still be accepting donations up until the deadline set by the LAF. So please continue to forward the links and sending in the contributions. All donations have to be in by October 11, 2007. Let's see how much I can get the final tally too, I'm so very excited about this event!

Quick update...

Since last Thursday, I have raised $2270 in donations and pledges. This will give me a total of $7620 in donations. I'm so pleased with the overwhelming response and support from everyone so far. I only have $2380 left to reach the mark. I haven't displayed the grand total to the right because some donations are in the form of checks that still need to be posted to the charity site. Anyway, I'm off for a short 30 mile ride this evening on the flat streets of Houston!!! Should be a breeze after last Sunday's ride. So, keep the donations coming in everyone, and I'll keep pedaling away...

Just an aside... Happy birthday to "Ironman" Haycraft! .....

Movin' Along...

Well well, I had a very good day yesterday. Everyone that responded, responded kindly. Just yesterday I received $600 in donations! Putting me at $5950... I feel like I'm getting so close to my goal. More news... I had a really good right last night. Only did 24 miles, but there was NO RAIN, which seems to be rare as of late!

Thanks everyone that contributed yesterday, and special thanks to Mason for his 2nd donation... A relative of his was recently diagnosed with cancer in her spine. I wish her all the luck in the world for a speedy recovery. Everyday I do this and train for my ride I discover another reason why its such an important cause. Keep the dollars coming in people! At this rate I just might pass my goal, how cool would that be?

One more thing... Happy birthday tomorrow to Tom and Scott.

oh by the way....

Oh forgot to mention... I have finally reached the halfway mark to my fundraising goal of $10,000! YIPPEE!!! Another big thanks to those of you who have contributed! I only have $4650 left to raise.

Also, I'll be riding with the boys again this sunday. Looks like we have all decided on riding a very hilly 40 mile route starting in Chappel Hill, Texas at 0730! So, if any one is reading this and wants to join, we'll be out there. Be sure to bring plenty of fluids and goodies to replenish those calories being burned.....

I got an update from Joy Hild last week about how she's doing following her surgery. I'm happy to report that she's doing well after having to go and have an additional surgery on July 20th. The first surgery didn't quite get all the cancer, but the second one had great results. She's now in for some more physical therapy as she continues to recover to her normal self. Her doctor has given her a goal to reach in October, just like I have a goal to reach in that month as well. If you're reading this Joy, thank you for the update and kind words. I'll be thinking about you; you are such and inspiration!

Over the last week I have been busy with family. So no training! Sorry about that! I have had a wonderful visit from my Dad, Nana, brother, sis-in-law, 3 nephews, and one sweet niece; definitely a house full! I didn't work out but did plenty of "work." Cooking for 10 people over a week is tough, and cleaning up after everyone is tougher. Thanks to Nana for all the help in the kitchen. I have gotten lots of culinary inspiration from her over the years and she never ceases to amaze me with her skill over the stove, and at 81, she was the firecracker of the whole group during the week! My nephew Liam is getting cuter and cuter by the minute, proof below:

Because of all the "work" being done over the last week, I really haven't checked my email. I did receive an update from Joy about her surgery on July 5th. Here's what she had to say!

Andrea, My surgery went very well with no problems. Came home today and have no restrictions at all. The doctor was very pleased with the outcome. I thank you for all your good wishes. Take care. I hope you have had notice of the donation I sent for you. I had an e-mail of them receiving it. Good luck. Joy Hild

So, as you can read above, I have received yet another donation for my cause, and that donation means a lot to me. It came from a lady who is fighting cancer, and so far seems to be battling it with an iron fist and winning!

In addition to Joy's donation, my mother's sisters Rose and Florence have each donated, and my father and grandmother contributed to the fundraising while they visited me in Texas. Thank you all so much for the encouragement!

It's back to the grind for me this week... I have some catch up exercise to do!

25% of the Goal reached

I have reached $2550 in donations so far, and I have 14 weeks left before the big event. That means I need to raise about $530 a week before the deadline of October 11th. This is not an unreasonable amount. I have in the last few days received a couple more donations online from my colleague Chris Flenner and his wife Renee, and from my Aunt Rose Pankuch, who lost her husband last August from cancer. Another donation is on its way from Joy Hild, who, as mentioned in my last entry, is battling breast cancer. I have to make a quick correction, I thought she had already gone through her surgery, but she is due to go in on July 5th. I know I will be thinking about her, I hope everyone that reads this will do the same. Thank you guys very much for the support!

HEY HEY HEY!

I'm so excited... 2 donations, 2 days in a row...

Thanks Mr. Jim Bailey for the donation! I am at nearly 20% of my total goal, and I have until October 11th to reach $10000.

Training update

I haven't written that much over the last week or so, but I have been training. I took Thursday and Friday off last week because I did more hill sprints on Wednesday evening at Hermann Park. Saturday I didn't ride and went to do a leg workout instead. Squats and other blissful leg exercises prevented me from walking normal on Sunday morning! hahahahaha In fact, I wasn't walking normal on Monday morning either. Oh well... here's what was done and what is planned for this week: Monday, spin class with the bulldog... (only 45 minutes, had to leave early to meet people out for dinner); Tuesday, another lifting day, back and shoulders this time, with other core strengthening exercises mixed in there. Tonight we are headed to the Park again for cardio and sprints. Thursday I think I'll do another light lifting day, and maybe run on the treadmill. Friday... no way... I'm off on Friday nights. Well... maybe I'll swim a few hundred yards at the pool, but nothing too exciting. That's all for now... I don't want to think about this weekend too much because I have too many things to do that involve eating and drinking. Memorial day weekend after all... might as well enjoy as much as I can. Bye for now... quick reminder... DONATE DONATE DONATE... I'm putting myself through all this for a good cause!

Training update and other bits....

I have had two great evenings of workouts the past couple of days. Also, I have had many people comment to me more and more about the blog itself. So, I thought I would elaborate on both.

First the comments...

I have to say, I have been getting some very positive feedback from those of you who have actually bothered to comment. Thank you thank you thank you. It’s nice to know that my comments and the method by which I’m delivering them are well received. I have by one person been asked for more pictures. To be honest, I’m not quite sure why... but I will do my best to accommodate. I hope that all those who are reading this consistently will help support my effort to raise the $10k. So don’t forget ... donate, donate, donate..... :)

Alright now for the rest, the exercise update. Monday, spin class with Ashley. I have to say that was one of the best spin classes she has come out with. The music was great and the workout itself was an ass kicker! In fact, I think she kicked her own butt because she was breathing just as hard as the rest of us. I maintained average heart rate of 154bpm over 56 minutes, and burned approximately 560 calories. I love those classes... its hard to beat the amount of work you put out in such a short period of time. There’s no bullshit, you get straight to the point! Tuesday was a lifting day. I warmed up with 10 minutes on the elliptical machine, and then did back, shoulders, and biceps. I’m well on my way to being able to do a pull ups without the assistance of the ‘gravitron’. I think if I lost more weight it would help tremendously as well, but that will come in time. My cool down was an easy 5 minute walk on the treadmill.

If you have ever seen the movie Legally Blonde there’s a scene in there where Reese Witherspoon’s character is describing how exercise makes you happy. I love that scene; she says something along the lines of how exercise releases endorphins that make you happy. Amen sister! I always feel good and happy and surprisingly more awake after a good workout. It’s one of the best methods of mental therapy known to man. If only more people would be open to the idea of more exercise.

Texas Rain

I love Texas thunder storms! The cooling breeze, the light show, the noise, and the smell of the rain, it's all just completely amazing. When I lived in the northeast growing up, we would only get rains like ones last night in the middle of the summer when it was super hot. Down here, its a regular occurrence. Well... Its super hot most of the year here in Houston, and we are relatively close to a large body of warm water.

I was sitting on my patio last night, enjoying my newly sodded back yard, with beer in hand just looking up at the sky watching the incredible lightening show. It went on for quite a while before it decided to let loose and completely soak my little green footprint. It's nights like last night that make me so happy to be healthy and able to enjoy nature. I get a similar feeling when I'm out on my bicycle riding for miles on some back country Texas road, looking at bluebonnets in the spring, going through the hills of central Texas, and watching beautiful birds fly by or perch on a fence post. It's just an all around good feeling.

What adds to this feeling is riding with purpose! I'm riding this summer for a cure for cancer. I'm riding to better the lives of people living with cancer. I'm riding in memory of my mother, uncle, aunt and all those who have lost their lives to cancer. I'm riding to raise money and raise awareness of this disease. I need support and donations to fall on me like the Texas rain falls in my back yard. I need to be flooded... support the cause, fight cancer.

Running night

Last night's exercise was sprint training. I don't know how many people truly like to run, I know I don't, but this was pretty fun. Jim and I took the boxer to Hermann park and sprinted up the hill over by the outdoor theater. Great for glutes, hamstring, and calf strength. Sprinting is a relative term I guess, all depends on the person. One thing is for sure, I'm good for endurance, but speed... forget it! Jim was up the hill and ready to jog back down as I was about half way there to the top. ARGGGGGGGGGG! Oh well, I know it will only make me stronger and faster by doing these regularly. Jim swears by them. The dog on the other had was pulling me up the hill for about half of the time. The other half of the time he decided he was done and I had to pull him up the rest of the way. After he decided he wanted to sit in the middle of one, Jim and I had to trade off so his lazy ass could sit there, wag his little nub of a tail and greet us with slimy lick when we reached the bottom.

We did 12 of these "sprints" over about 15-20 minutes, and then walked and lightly jogged for about another 40 minutes. I maintained an average heart rate over that time of about 135 bpm, burned approximately 355 calories, and generally felt plenty good. All the statistics were as per my trusty-dusty heart rate monitor of course.

Another part of the evening was a romp around the playground. I love playgrounds! I can never imagine how, when I was little, I swung like an ape from different parts of the contraption. I never realized how much back strength it took to hang from "monkey-bars" and make my way across. This just makes me realize that when I was little, pound for pound, I was a little machine. Now a days.. no way, how embarrassing! I need to work on my core strength too I guess. I would like to be able to do a couple of pull-ups without the assistance of someone pushing up on my knees or the "gravitron" at the gym that counteracts my weight.

OH... I got my first official donation today from my friend and colleague, Mason Cardwell. Thanks Mason for the $250 donation!!!!

Another thing, I have added a links section to the blog. I have a few cancer blogs and a website from the Discovery Channel that allows people to post a quick blurb about their connections to cancer. Check it out... I will add to the collage too, but I want to dig through my pictures and get some of my mom when she was younger and my brother and I were little.

That's all for now....

Donations Requested!

Ok, my donation link is up and running!

Go to: http://austin07.livestrong.org/andreagale

or click on the donation link to the right!

Pass this around to everyone, each donation adds up quickly and will help me raise my goal of $10,000.

Also, I have added 3 more people to the memory list to the right as well. My boyfriend Jim Heslin lost his greataunt Edith a few months ago, his grandmother Grace just before Christmas 2005, and his uncle Dennis Heslin a few years ago. Please think of them and all those lost, and pray for those currently suffering.