Austin Livestrong report

I am just back from the Livestrong Challenge in Austin Texas. I went as Team Captain for my police department, and rode with my lovely boyfriend, who lost his wife to cancer. My father died of cancer several years ago at the age of 56. My boyfriend raised over $10,000 for LAF, so we attended the welcome dinner on Friday night, where I heard Lance talk to the small group, and on Saturday night, where he spoke again, in addition to Eldon from Team Fatty. We also started at the front of the ride, which was awesome. The course was incredibly hilly and we had a strong wind. I am a slow starter, it takes me 10 miles or so to warm up. My boyfriend is a race rider, so he was having fun attacking the first 10 miles of hills without me, he would wait till I caught up and we would ride together for a bit (I was never far behind him). We hit the turnoff early and found ourselves ahead of the pack, with few riders in front of us. I was warm now and able to give him a run for his money (only because I was warm and he was tired). We finished in good time, good form, and then rode an extra 7.5 miles looking for the car!
It was truly an amazing weekend, the money raised that went to LAF will go to help beat cancer. A worthy weekend for a worthy cause.
I think the nicest thing that happened was that we sat down at the fundraising dinner next to a doctor who recently lost his wife. I was sitting next to my BF's 9 year old daughter so I missed most of their conversation, I heard it later. As we sat there, she fell asleep with her head against my chest, covered by my wrap. My BF told me that the guy who had lost his wife was totally in despair, not only for the loss of his wife, but for the lack of hope for the future. My BF told him that he had felt the same way, and look what had happened to him. He had me, his daughter had me. I had been aware that everyone at the table was smiling at me, but I didn't know he had said all that until we got back to the hotel. He said he felt like he had made a difference to that poor man. That made me happy, because that means I have made a difference to him.
It was a wonderful weekend.

OK, now I have tears in my eyes...

wonderful report

JoAnn

What a great story. Thanks to you all for riding -- it does make a huge difference in many lives.

That was lovely, thanks.

I saw someone from your group at the walk Saturday morning in your bright yellow shirts. It was a great weekend. Fatty was hanging at the finish line Sunday. He was so nice and posed for a pic with me. He seemed touched that I was wearing the bracelet Susan made.

Awwww, that's so nice.

What an uplifting story! My father-in-law (who has been the only father I have ever known) was just diagnosed five weeks ago with pancreatic cancer (stage iv) which has spread to both lungs and prostrate cancer. Cancer is such a horrible disease!