I can't believe LOTOJA has come and gone. Thank you all for making this such a fun and inspirational summer. I couldn't have done it without all of your support. To update you on how the race went, it couldn't have gone better (other than having to pee on the side of the road a few times). I was surprised that my knees didn't give me too much trouble, I was able to eat and drink the whole time, and I was able to cross the finish line with a smile on my face (thanks for you inspirational email, Ernie!). My favorite food on the ride was boiled red potatoes (who'd have guessed?), and I didn't mind the Zingers, Clif Blocks, Payday bars, and Powergel. My mom and aunt Darlene were excellent support crew and kept me hydrated, fed, (and medicated).
I started the race just after 7 AM and crossed the finish line not long after 6 PM. My time was 11 hours 8 minutes, which isn't bad at all. My average speed while riding my bike was 18.8 mph. Not bad for 206 miles! Lance started after me and finished before me in just over 10 hours. He won 4th place in his group...I'm a proud wife. He was able to raise almost $1400 in honor of his stepmom, Sue (who was also part of his support crew for the race). I was glad he was able to see me cross the finish line and that I wasn't even crying. Well, I almost cried, but only due to sheer joy that I DID IT!!
The best part was at the awards ceremony. I guess every year they recognize one rider that has the most inspiring reason to ride LOTOJA. I was flabbergasted when they called my name and was already a bawling wreck because they had already shown a little promotional video for Huntsman Cancer Foundation. I am so incredibly grateful for the love and support you all gave me. The entire high school gymnasium gave us a standing ovation, so you should all be proud of what you've done this summer. You have all touched my life and inspired me to be more giving.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Oh yes, I did receive one last minute donation that I had to complete after the race. I didn't want any dollar to go unthanked!
Harvey and Jackie Carmichael: Harvey knows the pain of LOTOJA, so I was very grateful for his thoughts. I think he rode the race last year. I was glad to have another donation to ride for, because it got me right back on my bike after LOTOJA. On the Monday after the race I rode up Emigration with Lance (25 miles), then on Tuesday I took a quick spin out to 3300 S. and back (15 miles), then on Thursday I rode out to Lagoon and back (40 miles), Friday I rode to Sugarhouse Park and did a few laps (14 miles), and today I rode to work (7 miles). I appreciate so much for your generosity you guys!
Brad & Becky Gardner: I realized that I somehow missed thanking you for your miles. I still owe you a few miles. I rode over Emigration to the top of Big Mountain to watch Lance race in a time trial (He won 1st place for the Cat 5 men and won a terribly tacky trophy), then we got to ride back down to the start line by I-80 together (29 miles).
Lance Lindberg: I know it's not much, but I realize I shorted you a bit. You can also have my "long way" home from work today that I did to kill time until you got home (14 miles). I love you!
TOTAL TRAINING MILES THIS SEASON: 4007
TOTAL HOURS IN THE SADDLE: 227 (yes, 9 & 1/2 days)
Thank you all again!!
LOTOJA here we come! I am raising money to fight cancer in memory of my Dad. I am riding 1 mile for every dollar donated and want to keep donors up to date on where I rode my bike to thank them. You can donate at: http://www.active.com/donate/lotoja08/ELindbe76
September 16, 2008
September 4, 2008
LOTOJA here we come!
So I leave for Logan in the morning and I am so grateful for everyone's support throughout this summer. I will be riding for all of you on Saturday! I still have a few donations left to ride for because of my little knee problems. I will be sure to ride all my miles by the end of the race!
Arlene & Jan Schut: My aunt and uncle were very kind to support me this summer. To thank them for their donation I had to do a lot of short rides to save my knees. I rode up out to 3900 S then back up to the top of Emigration canyon and back out to 4500 S and back to the Avenues with a girl I know who will also be riding LOTOJA (51 miles). I also rode to work and back (14 miles), out to Highland High School and back (13 miles), then out to Bountiful on Redwood Road, out to work on 2100 S, then home the long way (22 miles).
Ernie & Ann Page: I was pleasantly surprised to see a donation from 2 of my dad's very loyal patients. To thank them, I rode up and over Emigration Canyon to the top of Big Mountain (40 miles), then I rode out to Sugarhouse Park and did a few easy laps to spin my legs out (10 miles)
Jim & Betsy Lund: Jim and Betsy are neighbors and good friends of my parents. I gladly rode to the top of Emigration Canyon, then out to Millcreek Canyon and to the top to thank them for donating! (50 miles)
Ivan & Sherri Fabert: Again, another donation from very kind neighbors of my parents. Ivan actually made me and my husband an oak kitchen table for our wedding because my dad was too sick to "finish" it (he was really too sick to even start it, other than buying the wood). It was a very kind act of service on his part. He also made my little sister a table for her wedding for my dad, since he isn't here to do it. To thank them for their donation I rode to Highland High and home (10 miles). I will ride the other 40 miles in the race on Saturday. The remainder of their donation will take me from Logan, Utah, to 6 miles past Preston, Idaho (the first Feed Zone). Thanks!!
Craig & Robyn Davis: These are also neighbors of my mom. Craig has a special appreciation for the work it takes to prepare and ride LOTOJA because he did it last year. Their 100 miles will take me from 6 miles after Preston, Idaho, over Strawberry Canyon, through Montpelier, Idaho, over Salt River Pass, and past Afton, Wyoming to Thayne, Wyoming. Wow, that's going to take a while. I be thinking of you the whole way! Thanks for your support
Lance Lindberg: The rest is for you, babe. I know I owe you 100 miles, but 66 will have to do. They'll probably be the most grueling anyhow. If it's not enough, you can have all the rest of the miles I ride this year. Thanks for your selfless support this year. I hope you kill the race and make me proud and I'll try to do the same!
Total training miles after race: 3860
Hours in the saddle (hopefully): 220
It has been a great season. Thank you all for inspiring me!!
Arlene & Jan Schut: My aunt and uncle were very kind to support me this summer. To thank them for their donation I had to do a lot of short rides to save my knees. I rode up out to 3900 S then back up to the top of Emigration canyon and back out to 4500 S and back to the Avenues with a girl I know who will also be riding LOTOJA (51 miles). I also rode to work and back (14 miles), out to Highland High School and back (13 miles), then out to Bountiful on Redwood Road, out to work on 2100 S, then home the long way (22 miles).
Ernie & Ann Page: I was pleasantly surprised to see a donation from 2 of my dad's very loyal patients. To thank them, I rode up and over Emigration Canyon to the top of Big Mountain (40 miles), then I rode out to Sugarhouse Park and did a few easy laps to spin my legs out (10 miles)
Jim & Betsy Lund: Jim and Betsy are neighbors and good friends of my parents. I gladly rode to the top of Emigration Canyon, then out to Millcreek Canyon and to the top to thank them for donating! (50 miles)
Ivan & Sherri Fabert: Again, another donation from very kind neighbors of my parents. Ivan actually made me and my husband an oak kitchen table for our wedding because my dad was too sick to "finish" it (he was really too sick to even start it, other than buying the wood). It was a very kind act of service on his part. He also made my little sister a table for her wedding for my dad, since he isn't here to do it. To thank them for their donation I rode to Highland High and home (10 miles). I will ride the other 40 miles in the race on Saturday. The remainder of their donation will take me from Logan, Utah, to 6 miles past Preston, Idaho (the first Feed Zone). Thanks!!
Craig & Robyn Davis: These are also neighbors of my mom. Craig has a special appreciation for the work it takes to prepare and ride LOTOJA because he did it last year. Their 100 miles will take me from 6 miles after Preston, Idaho, over Strawberry Canyon, through Montpelier, Idaho, over Salt River Pass, and past Afton, Wyoming to Thayne, Wyoming. Wow, that's going to take a while. I be thinking of you the whole way! Thanks for your support
Lance Lindberg: The rest is for you, babe. I know I owe you 100 miles, but 66 will have to do. They'll probably be the most grueling anyhow. If it's not enough, you can have all the rest of the miles I ride this year. Thanks for your selfless support this year. I hope you kill the race and make me proud and I'll try to do the same!
Total training miles after race: 3860
Hours in the saddle (hopefully): 220
It has been a great season. Thank you all for inspiring me!!
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In Memory of Arn B. Gatrell
1950-2006