A Challenging Start

 Today we had the Spring season Kick-Off meeting up in Foster City. Why Foster City? I was wondering the same thing on the long drive up there. I was dutifully following the Yahoo! maps directions to the hotel, but the "Metro Center Drive" exit never appeared. Instead, as the fog parted, I could see the steep rise of the San Mateo bridge and realized that I was on my way to Hayward. There was no turning back! I could have gone to visit my parents over there, but instead I turned around as soon as I could and sped back over the bridge (after wasting $4 on toll).

Once I arrived, 15 minutes late and breathless, I stepped into the hotel and was immediately relaxed by the kind friendly faces of TNT volunteers. They took pity on me, led me to get my packet and beautiful TNT cycling jersey, and led me to my Mentor, Jamie. I even ran across my old team manager, Sherri, who got me started in TNT back in 2001! What a joy to see her again. Everything started looking up.

The program was excellent. One of the honorees, Carol, spoke about the challenges she is facing (her cancer is going active now) and the friends she's made and the friends she's lost in the course of the disease. I think everyone was choked up by her talk, and motivated to get out there to train, raise funds, and fight these diseases.

I joined some of the Cycle team at lunch afterward, and got to know several of the mentors and captains. They seemed like great people, as TNT people always are.

Now, it's time to rock 'n roll! Time to get going on training, and fundraising. I plan to join the YMCA so I have access to Spinning classes. And, I'll work on my fundraising letter and target list. But you can "cut to the chase" and click on the link at the right side of this page to sponsor me now! :-)