We Did It - Take 2

Back at the track in Trexlertown, again, to receive an award for the record-breaking ride for Life without Lupus. A very nice crowd saluted and cheered my A-team for helping me get around that day this past April, those with Lupus who benefited from this crazy ride, the wonderful Curt Bond, 24-hr track and world record holder who was there to hand off the trophy and for me for having the tenacity and focus to get it done. It's a new day for the cycling world to recognize the effort Lupus research needs to develop new treatments and a cure. A whole new audience is aware of something they probably never would have without the benefit of cycling. Fantastic.

A Celebration

What a wonderful surprise! This Friday night, the Trexlertown Velodrome, home of my 24-hour race for a Life without Lupus, is hosting a bunch of family and friends at the track in celebration of the record-breaking event. If I get 30 seconds with a microphone, Lupus Research will be front and center. We'll see. I may be kicking off a new idea to keep the energy behind this incredible cause...

Uh oh

I'm getting that rush again. Still recovering from the 24-hour Ride, but Lupus didn't end at 12pm, April 26th. I have many thoughts but one of them, for sure, includes me on my black Serotta.

3 Rides and life gets better. Although my legs and body are still recovering, it sure made my spirits lift when I clicked my feet back into my peddles this Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Just the clicking sound made me smile. I'm not sure what's next, but it will be something....there has been lots of post-event p/r, articles, etc., which is really thrilling for Lupus awareness. So many have responded to blogs and twitters, it has been great. Oh, some bike blog had the guts to say that I didn't have a snowball's chance of breaking the record at T-Town. Oh well, I guess that's part of why the 24-hour mark is so challenging.

Not believable...

What a 24 hours it was and has been. We made it - broke the record and then some. More on that later. Andy Paradysz, Lindsay Hyman (CTS coach and human being, extraordinaire) kept me focused and going forward. From gentle prodding to making sure I stayed hydrated and fed, always supportive every lap, and being on it every step of the way, there's just no way this event would be successful without them. No way. Every time I came around, there they both were sitting on stools, standing, clapping. Full-time clappers and motivators, Mom Paradysz, Angela Paradysz, Pat Campbell, Jeffrey, Lauren, Andrew and Alyssa Cohen, Bob & AnneMarie Donaldson, Pat and Sandy Corpora, Allen Abbott, Kim Walnes, Charles and Jodey Teller, all of the video feed watchers, you inspired for every turn of my cranks. Lupus was the beneficiary of this most incredible day. More people now know about it and understand the passion behind those who are looking to cure and treat it. Allie, Dani, and Nico, thanks for always smiling and holding up those signs. And, to the Morning Call, WFMZ, Service Electric, Philadelphia Daily News...Wow. You captured magic.

At the track. Bike, mechanicals, fluids, foods, back up, all ready. Headed out for r&r and some carbs. Early night, a movie and catch some early rest. Till tomorrow.

Tried a no-alarm wake-up today - grrr, I guess I've been waking up early for too many years! Where did those musician days go when early rising meant 10am?! Headed over to the track for the setup - tents, port-o-john (yes, there is one for all that were wondering!), coolers, mechanic's station, etc. I heard the local ambulance crew will be on call. That's nice. Should I put the medevac on call, too? Getting ready, and I can't wait to get on the bike today.