Mother Talkers

I ride 50 miles on Saturday Wish Me Luck!

by MKatherine1966

Wed Jul 11, 2007 at 06:06:48 PM PDT

Just a quick hello and an update before my ride

Hey MTers...I haven't posted much lately but I've been reading and lurking!  My 50 mile ride for cancer research is Saturday so I've been on my bike as much as the schedule of a single working mom will allow.  I'm feeling ok about the ride, I know I can do it with only 10-20 mile training rides under my belt and I'm familiar with the route but I have this pychologial block agains the first long climb. once I get through that I'm fine!  I did some big hills on my 5:30 am ride this morning and felt ok though so I think I"m as ready as I'll ever be.  I've been having some knee issues and had my cleats adjusted to see if that helped but honestly I think it's more a case of old knees holding up a chubby 41 year old body!  So think of me Saturday morning as I head out on 50 of the most beautiful miles NH and VT have to offer and please say a prayer it doesn't rain! (2 years ago it rained for 38 of the 50 miles!).  I've raise $1600 in pledges and the event it self (which attracts over 2200 participants) has reached over 1.3 million in pledges as of today for cancer research programs at the NOrris Cotton Cancer Center in Hanover, NH. As many of you know I've lost my dad, my sister and one of my best friends to cancer and my mom is in year 4 of battling stage 4 breast cancer.  Additionally Kelly's best friend is battling stage 2 breast cancer and her brother is in recovery from his own cancer treatment.  It's a cause I hold near and dear and if Liza can grow up in a world where this disease has been vanquihed then it will all have been worth it. Here's a link to my personal donation page for the event if anyone's interested (I'm not looking for pledges though...I've met my goal so don't feel like this is a plea for a donation!) https://www.kintera.org/...

I've been kind of quiet lately as well because I'm on a new schedule with Liza in the hopes that it smooths out her transitions. She's now spending a full week with me and a full week with her dad. it seems to be helping and we've had some really really wonderful times together. But on my "non Liza" weeks I miss her terribly (like tonight). It does take some getting used to, but I think it's better for her.  She's thriving at her summer day camp and looking forward to 4 weeks of musical theater camp soon.  She's also a new altar server at church and doing well -- I think she views it as one more performance opportunity frankly!

Kelly is now officially nurse Kelly, RN and has a new job in the behavioral health unit of a local hospital starting in a few weeks. I"m so proud of her!  Here's a link to a photo of us at Boston's Gay Pride parade last month (i'm the one on the right). The photo was taken by a Delta Airlines photographer as we were hanging out at the post-parade festival!   http://www.deltaclicksatlanta.com/... spending some great summer days with liza and with each other and I'm looking forward to this new phase of our lives now that she's out of school.  I think that's it for now..just wanted you all to know I was still around and reading! I loved the "getting to know you thread" and just wish I was better at posting photos. You're all so gorgeous with such gorgeous children!

Tags: Update, Cancer Research, Cycling (all tags)

Permalink | 40 comments

  • oops. try this link (0 / 0)

    for the photo of me and Kelly at Pride

    http://www.deltaclicksatlanta.com/...

    by MKatherine1966 on Wed Jul 11, 2007 at 06:07:23 PM PDT

    • Good luck!! (0 / 0)

      On your ride! 50 miles is quite an accomplishment! I'm currently training for a 1/2 marathon, and let me tell ya, I've never felt as old and out of shape as I do now!! My poor knees...AND ankles!!!

      I wanted to share my own picture at LA Pride 2006, (with now disgraced L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa...), that's me on the right! :)

      by gloria on Wed Jul 11, 2007 at 07:50:32 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      • That's a great photo! (0 / 0)

        We have so much fun at Pride each year, we sta with Liza's godfathers who treat uslike royalty, then we go to the parade and festival. I think we're going to take liza for the first time next year!

        by MKatherine1966 on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 03:57:31 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        • Thank you!! (0 / 0)

          I had such a great time at Pride last year. Unfortunately, I was unable to go this year...but, I'm looking forward to going next year!! My children have BOTH expressed an interest in going. They'll be with me next year!

          Again, I wanted to wish you luck, not that you need it!! Have a great time!!

          by gloria on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 12:01:07 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

      • ok (0 / 0)

        Ok, I'm so out of it, but what did that mayor do?

        by NJmom on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 05:05:01 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        • An affair (0 / 0)

          But with a twist: he had/is having an affair with a local TV newscaster, who proceeded on air to report on the mayor's upcoming divorce. She has been either fired or suspended (I'm not following it too closely) for the ethics violation, and basically for bad judgement. I believe the station knew they had a personal relationship, but she was allowed to continue to report on her city hall beat. I do not believe the station knew they were having an affair.

          He is getting a divorce after a long marriage.

          I think that's it .... could easily be more than one scandal brewing for the mayor for all I know. (Our mayor in SF has had one scandal after another - affair with the wife of his campaign manager, rehab for alcohol issues, and accusations of cocaine use in the past and present - since things tend to come out when the damn breaks, so to speak. His approval ratings in SF are consistently above 70%, most people still love him so he can't really be described as disgraced I guess.)

          RachelD

          by RachelD on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 08:31:34 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          • asdf (0 / 0)

            Interesting.  Thanks for the scoop, I totally missed that one.  That's pretty bad for the journalist too, way to go ruin your career.

            I did hear about all of Newsome's trouble however and now I see his ex-wife has scored a show on Fox, kind of ironic.  She also married some super rich guy pretty quickly.

            by NJmom on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 10:01:03 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            • Kimberly G. (0 / 0)

              Omigosh, my husband spotted her wedding announcement in the NYT whenever that was - to the very young CEO of Maurice Villency - the very posh French furniture makers (I am probably not spelling it right). And now they have a baby. The couple appeared in a puff piece a few months back in some posh magazine, I can't remember which.

              But we are kind of morbidly fascinated with the whole thing because of the Fox show. Fox?? Oh dear. I can't stand her show, I've seen it a few times.

              Gavin is no angel, but Fox - icky.

              RachelD

              by RachelD on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 09:56:25 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

          • nitpick (0 / 0)

            Mirthala Salinas, the reporter for Telemundo, was taken off the city hall beat a few months ago.

            However, she was still reading the news that included Villaraigosa, and on-air she said something like, "There have been rumors of a scandal involving the Mayor, and now they have been confirmed" -- without revealing that she was the Other Woman!  She's now been placed on a temporary leave, but it would be hard for me to trust Telemundo's judgement now, knowing that they were aware of the relationship and didn't completely separate her from him professionally.

            by mamacita on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 10:59:24 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

      • Gloria, that is so you! (0 / 0)

        the heeled sandals, the black, the feather boa! Jess would freak at your outfit and definitely want to try on your shoes! ;-P

        by Rachel on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 05:57:32 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

  • good luck (0 / 0)

    Good luck with the ride MK!  What a great cause and I'm sure the landscape will be just beautiful.  Best wishes for no rain!

    Sounds like things are going well for you!

    P.S.  When did they start letting girls be altar servers?  That old Vatican is starting to lighten up a bit!  : )

    by NJmom on Wed Jul 11, 2007 at 06:08:46 PM PDT

    • Girls have been servers for some time now (0 / 0)

      at least since the 80s but it depends on the parish I think.  I'm lucky that our new priest is young and very outgoing and really is trying to make altar serving fun for the kids. I get so nervous when she's a server though! She can be a bit klutzy and I'm always afraid she's going to trip on her robe or drop the wine or something!

      by MKatherine1966 on Wed Jul 11, 2007 at 06:10:31 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      • interesting (0 / 0)

        I was in Catholic school til 88, but our parish must have been one of the holdouts.  I bet the priest plays a big part for sure.

        I remember the boys looking rather stressed while doing it though!

        by NJmom on Wed Jul 11, 2007 at 06:17:14 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

  • Good luck! (0 / 0)

    Good luck and also thanks for doing your part against cancer. My MIL has had colon cancer spread to the liver for three years and her last scan showed no cancer. we want her to be around for a lot longer!

    by Lisa in Austin on Wed Jul 11, 2007 at 06:47:17 PM PDT

  • I'm so proud of you! (0 / 0)

    You go and show them how its done!  

    by tjb22 on Wed Jul 11, 2007 at 09:30:12 PM PDT

  • best of luck! (0 / 0)

    Ride on, Katie, ride on!!!

    by Erika on Wed Jul 11, 2007 at 09:32:03 PM PDT

  • Good Luck! (0 / 0)

    It sounds like you're well-prepared and will have a great ride.  I'll do a little no-rain dance for you!

    by hazel on Wed Jul 11, 2007 at 09:46:10 PM PDT

  • Rock on, Katie! (0 / 0)

    Ride hard, ride fast, and have a great time. I know what you mean about settling into a race - I always feel really nervous until I'm at least 1km into a race myself.

    Thanks also for the updates on Kelly and Liza - I'm so pleased for you that Liza is adjusting better and hope that continues. That's really wonderful news.

    by Rachel on Wed Jul 11, 2007 at 11:41:12 PM PDT

  • Yay Katie!!! (0 / 0)

    Have a great ride - I know you'll do a great job!!

    Congrats to Kelly on being totally done with school.

    And I'm so glad to hear that things with Liza are a bit smoother these days!!

    by Sue in Queens on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 03:12:10 AM PDT

  • Good luck with your ride! (0 / 0)

    And enjoy it!

    DH and I did quite a bit of cycle touring (UK, Germany and Switzerland a couple of weeks each) even though I have had quite serious knee problems. The trick for me, especially when climbing, is to use a low gear. That way, it's easier on the knees. I made it across the Alps that way, with camping gear and all!

    Have fun!

    by SwissClogs on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 03:54:55 AM PDT

  • Good Luck! (0 / 0)

    have a great ride and have fun!!

    by minnmom on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 05:17:27 AM PDT

  • Gigi!!! Thank you so much (0 / 0)

    what a lovely suprise to see your pledge  -- you are too sweet! I am very touched by your support.

    by MKatherine1966 on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 06:42:43 AM PDT

  • You can do it! (0 / 0)

    As the daughter of a cancer survivor, I thank you for your participation.  And as a chubby person who biked 25 miles in the Swiss Alps, I want to say it can be done!  I didn't hesitate to walk my bike up a hill if I couldn't make it, particularly since there was such fabulous scenery to see.  As long as you finish, that's all that matters.  Let us know how it goes.

    by cynmill on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 07:27:20 AM PDT

    • Thanks! this is my 3rd year doign the 50 and I've (0 / 0)

      also done the 100 mile route one year (100 miles, 9 hours woohoo) and I haven't had to walk my bike up a hill yet and hopefully I won't have to start now!  This is the first year my knees have bugged me this much though which is the only thing really making me nervous.  but I always remind myself it takes as much energy to walk the bike up a hill as it does to ride it! LOL

      by MKatherine1966 on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 07:39:51 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  • good luck! (0 / 0)

    And have a wonderful time!  I'm jealous.  I love to go cycling, and to have arranged the time to do a long ride AND do a good deed must be a great feeling.

    Margaret
    therebyhangsatale.com

    by mefpdx on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 08:21:00 AM PDT

    • It does take a little juggling (0 / 0)

      but one perk of being a single mom is that every other week I don't have my daughter so that's when I do all my trainin g-- but I get up at 5:30 alot to ride so I'm done before the day gets too hot.  (not that it gets THAT hot in NH of course!)

      And I get help from my partner and my ex husband in watching Liza when I need to ride so it works out ok but I try not to ride on the days I have her if I can help it.  

      by MKatherine1966 on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 08:24:38 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  • Good luck! (0 / 0)

    First of all - great plan with the one week on/off arrangement. That is what I've had from the start. Monday pm to Monday am so that the transition place is school/childcare vs face to face. Easy for school assignments and after school activities. You'll get used to it :-)

    Secondly - congrats to Kelly! Oh the relief of being done with school!

    Lastly - woohoo - have a great ride on Saturday! This breast cancer 3-day walker will be with you in spirit.

    Trees, Flowers & Birds SanDiegoDem on all other blogs!

    by Christina on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 08:36:05 AM PDT

    • Thanks I think it will be easier (0 / 0)

      and the bonus is I do'nt have to see my ex dh face to face every saturday now.  I like him and all but...enoughs enough sometimes!  The first few nights without Liza are really weird but I DO like the full week i have with her -- we really were clicking last week and it was wonderful!

      by MKatherine1966 on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 08:38:27 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  • Go Katie! (0 / 0)

    ...from one 41 year old to another!  Glad to see your diary here... I had wondered where you had gotten to.  I love the photo of you and Kelly.  Glad things have turned out well w/Kelly's career. :-)

    "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream..."

    by 1plain1peanut on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 10:12:56 AM PDT

  • ride like the wind! (0 / 0)

    I'm SO happy to hear things are going well with Liza.  That must be a huge relief.

    by mamacita on Thu Jul 12, 2007 at 11:03:39 AM PDT

  • All good wishes and luck (0 / 0)

    for your ride tomorrow....may the wind be at your back if there's wind at all!

    karen

    by karen m on Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 09:45:48 AM PDT

  • What a Perfect Ride! (0 / 0)

    The whole thing couldn't have been better start to finish from the awesome carbo loading dinner the night before - to catching up with old friends - to the whole ride day experience.

    Weather was perfect - we started out in typical upper valley mist at 7;25 and by the time we hit the bridge to Bradford, VT at  about mile 25 the sun was shining and a cool breeze was blowing. I made it up the 3 big hills in the last 12 miles in good shape, suprising even myself.  On the very last tough hill a mile before the finish (the worst hill on the whole ride) I nearly started crying as people were just urging each other on. One very large gal was really struggling on her bike -you could tell she was new at this and really having a tough time and seasoned cyclists were just being so awesome to her. One guy rode up next ot her and said "you got it. you got this hill! you can do it!' I rode next to her and said "just think about the massage waiting at the end of this hill!"  At the top a whole group of folks were cheering for us - it was unbelievable.  Along the way people would come stand at th ened of the their driveway and cheer us on -- people asked each other abou tthe memory ribbons on their bikes and helmets-- kids set up lemonade stands (free) and offered cheers.  It couldn't have been a better ride.   I was back at the finish line by 11:15 -- so less than 4 hours in all which included the four SAG stops and one impromptu stop at a kids free lemonade stand!  We had burgers, ice cream, massages and listened to some music before heading home. And best of all I think the event is on track to raising $1.5million for cancer research.... thanks for all your cheers and support!

    by MKatherine1966 on Sun Jul 15, 2007 at 05:08:50 AM PDT

Permalink | 40 comments