Seriously- I earned every $ that has been donated

Buddy ride group

The Steves- my heroes!

Peni & Carol rockin' it

#@%$&* hills

Pre-ride shots, you can tell they are pre-ride b/c we are smiling (o;

MiaMiaMiaMiaMiaMiaMia

Ouch. I think I am still feeling the leftover pain from Saturday’s ride. Kicked off the weekend with an after-work, work drink to celebrate Art and Gregory’s birthdays. Art had requested Martinis which was a surprisingly big hit (well with the boys at least). From there Mike and I headed to the Temple Bar for a brew. By the time I got home and showered, it was almost 23h. Saturday morning I was up and out of the house fairly early ready to take on the Tour de Loraine in Dublin. My malldar was on in full effect, and for once, I knew where I was going as I headed to the meet spot- just down the street from Stoneridge Shopping Center. We all got parked and geared up, and I realized that I was in for it when Coach Cyd said this was going to be a tough ride (what was going on ? Usually when we ask, “Will there be hills?” “Will it be hard?” etc… they say Noooooooooooooooooooo. And here they were preparing us for the worst). But I figured we’d just done a 65 mile ride with 4,000 feet of climb last week, so how bad could it really be, right? WRONG!!!!!!!!!! The first 20 or so miles went ok, but I got separated from my buddies Carol and Peni going down a switchbacking descent. I figured I’d meet up with them at the first SAG stop, so I hit up the food/drink and headed to the port-o-potty when I heard, “Elizabeth, we’re rolling!” Shami butter in hand (you don’t even want to know) I ran out of the port-o-potty with my spandex pants sagging, hopped on my bike and headed off for fear of being left behind. It wasn’t until I reached the group that I realized that Peni and Carol weren’t with them. Oops. It was all downhill from there (figuratively, unfortunately). First my breaks started rubbing. What IS the deal?! My bike really did earn the name Brittney. Then, my chain locked up on me again as we were going up hill. I dropped off to take a look and the group headed on. What was so frustrating was that my Dad had even surprised me with a tune-up and taken her in to get ready to go- mind you this is the 3rd time since Oct. that my bike has gone into the shop. This is when hero #1 came to the rescue. Steve (Zimmerman) was out patrolling in his car, cowbell and all. He pulled up, helped me fix my breaks (bless him) and offered to drive me up ahead to catch back up to the group (Aahem, yes, I’d fixed the chain myself. I will now take a bow). I figured I may as well wait for Peni and Carol, since I am used to riding with them and thought maybe I’d have better luck once back with my ladies. So… I waited about another 10 min. and finally we were reunited. Then we started on the real hills (doing the 3 Bears ride from a month or so ago again, only this time from the opposite and more difficult direction). Peni and Carol are monsters on hills, so they were up ahead of me as I struggled. I don’t know what the matter was, but my head just wasn’t in it at all, and for the first time, I really think I saw how psychological it can be. I was just starting to get really frustrated when hero #2 (another Steve- Bamberger) pulled up alongside of me, and just in time too. I honestly don’t think I could have made it up Papa Bear without his encouragement, support, and listening to my whining. Sorry. I just couldn’t help it. We actually did finish the full distance, cycling through 13 different cities (and getting NO LOVE in Walnut Creek. Good thing Monica wasn’t there b/c she might have gotten into an argument with the honking cars). I think we were on the road for about 7 hours (someone correct me if I’m wrong), and I burned over 4,000 calories! Woah. I crashed around 8 PM that night and woke up at 1 AM on Sunday morning in so much pain, but I couldn’t even roll over to get up and take some Advil. I’m utterly confused. I have never been for the night or following morning after a ride, and I am still sore. I’ve also had a throbbing headache and don’t know what the heck is going on. But, today I got to chat with Jesse for 2 hours! It was so great to catch up with her, and definitely a nice way to start my Sunday morning. Then I got back in bed, cuddled up with Mr. B and watched some T.V. That was followed by a bubble bath (which I desperately needed to warm up and ease my aching body). Then it was off to the barn to see Pokey (who must have missed me b/c she kept nickering at me. I totally felt the love). Unfortunately, I was too sore to contemplate giving her a real workout, so I just cleaned her stall, and hopped on bareback to ride her around the property trails and let her soak up some sunshine. Left the barn to meet Jodie at Valley Fair. I think it’d been over a week since we’d seen eachother. Then, I headed over to Jed and Holly’s to visit them, and of course gush over Mia belle who was cute as ever. I just adore her. As her Dad says, “Her head blewed up”. Haha. She’s definitely a little bit more substantial, alert, moving her head around, constantly tracking both Mom and Dad, and flailing her arms and legs. She was in good spirits and crashed just in time for a sushi dinner. That’s all for now. This is the last week to make a donation as all my funds need to be in by Wednesday Feb. 20, so if you’d still like to contribute, it’s not too late! Please visit my page at http://www.active.com/donate/tntgsf/tntgsfECloern I hope you all have a fantastic week. xoxo, Elizabeth

Get a bicycle. You will not regret it if you live. ~Mark Twain, "Taming the Bicycle"

Some fellow TNTers. Guess I didn't need to sport the Uggs this day.

Team Estrogen + our "Token Boy", Steve

The bicycle had, and still has, a humane, almost classical moderation in the kind of pleasure it offers. It is the kind of machine that a Hellenistic Greek might have invented and ridden. It does no violence to our normal reactions: It does not pretend to free us from our normal environment. ~J.B. Jackson

Oula. What a weekend. I was up and out the house by 7 AM both days…. this coming from an un-morning person, it was rough but well worth it.

I went home grumpy and tired after a long week on Friday in just enough time to eat some dinner, watch an episode of Heroes and crash.

Saturday I woke up to blue skies, ate a big breakfast, packed up my car and headed to Half Moon Bay for a 65-mile bike ride with TNT. It was just gorgeous outside- clear, warm (I think around 69 degrees F), all in all the perfect day by anyone’s standards. We started off with about 24 miles along the coast/Hwy 1 with some rollers and then headed towards La Honda/Pescadero. All in all we did about 4,000 ft. of climbing (though Jennifer’s little computer is being more generous giving us 7,000… I’m not too sure how that worked). But we for sure did 4,000 which is the same amount of elevation we will have to do in Solvang next month. Some of these climbs seriously kicked my butt, like the 4-miler up in the Redwoods that had my heart rate up and my head pounding. It really was quite unpleasant at one point, and that got me thinking about Maxx and that if he had a choice, he’d probably chose to be battling his way up this hill no matter how unfun and difficult it was. Literally, that’s what kept me going (and maybe Monica’s company a little bit too, oh and Penny just up ahead kicking some serious butt, and the fact that SAG was at the top of this monstrous hill). We did 1,000 ft. of climbing over an 8-mile stretch, which is, as my Dad put it, “Harder than running down the street to the neighbors house”. Also notable about this ride is that I finally gave my bike a name (it’s about time). My chain locked up on me during the uphill of one of the coastal rollers which almost had me as roadside roadkill (thankfully not). I don’t know what happened. I’ve taken my bike into the shop 3 times, and they don’t see anything wrong to fix. The whole back break thing just comes and goes, so I said my bike was bipolar- and the name Brittney was given- totally appropriate, I know. We enjoyed some beautiful scenery (as you will see from the pics- thank you Jennifer!) and stopped at this little grocery store to refuel. This is the first ride where I finished all the water in my camel back (and let me tell you, sucking air rather than water like you were expecting is NO good) and water bottle with sports drink. This was a quaint little shop with lots of guys on Harleys outside. I came out from the bathroom to find Melissa schmoozing a backrub out of one of them! It was pretty funny. After this stop, we were on our home stretch but not w/o one last treacherous climb (a dirty little surprise left at the end). Made it back safe and sound, all members with all body parts intact and headed down the street to Camerons for some a well deserved brew, and fish and chips which was randomly exactly what we’d been craving.

Headed home and was in the sack out like a light bulb by 8 PM.

Today I woke up at 5:50 (I guess that’s the payback for falling asleep like a little old lady last night), and headed out to the barn to meet Shannon who was bringing her horsey from Sacramento. I got to the barn way early, cleaned Pokey’s stall, emptied and scrubbed her waterer, cleaned all her brushes, cleaned my tack (noticing a theme here?) turned her out to hang out in the sunshine for 45 min. clipped her face (she’s a hairy beast!) and legs, and was ready to roll when Shannon pulled in. We’d planned to trailer out, but neither horse would load 2nd in her trailer and after 1.5 hrs of trying to coax them, we decided to go on a ride from the barn. I actually had to put sunscreen on- that’s how nice it was. We did about 2+ hours in the hills, let them rip (I almost forgot how powerful they can be when they explode and take off at a full gallop- Poke even broke the leather strap on her breast collar. I know, she’s buff). She was completely drenched from head to toe foaming under her bridle, and it was still so warm that I have her a much needed bath. I think she should be a pretty tuckered out girl and am sure that it felt good to let go since they tend to be a little more confined/cooped up in the winter months.

Now I’m tired again, and finally feeling a bit sore though I don’t know if it’s from the bike or horse. I think I will sleep well tonight for sure in clean sheets and PJs (can’t beat that!).

Hope you all are well! Much love,

Elizabeth

I'm Not Feelin'It Anymore

Anyone know who sings that song??? That could be my theme song for the day.

Started off spilling oatmeal and warm milk all over my sleeve (eeew) followed by BART running late, then we got stuck behind the train in front of us which got me into the office just before 9 AM. No good!

I've officially become addicted to an afternoon coffee which I find particularly ironic since I worked at a cafe for years, could have free coffee, and hardly drank it.

Plusses for the day: sporting new socks and undies. I wish I could have brand new pairs of each every freak'n day. AND I finally broke down and bought a box of the Tazo Refresh herbal tea that I love 'oh so much.

The weekend hasn't even started and I feel like it's already gone. Tomorrow, we have a 65 mile ride in Half Moon Bay (Did you know it used to be called Spanishtown?!) I think it will be beautiful. We've had great weather lately which has been a nice break from the stormy, rainy, windy days. I don't know how long it'll last, so I'm enjoying it knowing we surely have to have more rain in the future.

Last night I got to hang out with Mia bella who had spent the day with my Mom. I think it'd been about 2+ weeks since I last saw her, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that she hasn't change all that much other than being really super smiley. She cracks a smile so easily, and there's nothing like it. What a sweetheart. Mom and I gave her a bath and she really got to kicking. Maybe she'll take after her auntie (me!) and be a water baby.

Not too much else going on these days other than (how could I forget to mention it) I've discovered the undercover world of Pub Quizzes. Ok, maybe it's not so secret or undercover, but they are new to me. The bar down the street from the office has a Pub Quiz night on Wed. nights. We did it last week and came in a shameful last place. So we headed there this week to redeem ourselves, and were in 1st place!.... for the first 2 rounds. It was all downhill from there, so sad yet so fun. I don't think I can keep this pace up, b/c I got home just at midnight and was hurting on Thurs. morning.

That's it, nothing else to say. Bye bye.

Spank, I mean thank, You Andy!

10,000 besitos for your donation. Lova ya!

Be Your Own Valentine

It's my beautiful pony's 16th birthday tomorrow (Feb. 6). Happy Birthday Pokey!!!

So I guess it’s been a while since I’ve had/taken the time to update my blog… just a teensy weensy bit overdue. Where to start… I guess with Vegas! It was my first time ever, and I have to say, this trip was well worth the wait. Jodie and I had planned to celebrate our (gulp) 27th & 32nd birthdays there since there isn’t anything particularly great about these ages, and we got a jump start in Jan. for Liesl’s “5th anniversary of her 21st birthday” as she so splendidly put it.

That Friday I met up with Monica for drinks (since I wouldn’t be doing my Sat. bike ride anyway, I figured I’d take full advantage). It was great to see and catch up with her, especially since she’s spending practically the entire month in Europe for work. Sat. I woke up, and had to head home to shower, pack, and catch the plane to Vegas. Liesl, Jeanette and I headed out in the early afternoon and landed by 4 PM. That night out was a blast. We had dinner at the Little Buddah at the Palms and headed to Tao to dance the night away. I think we were home around 3-4 AM, which was just enough time for Liesl to give us the show of a lifetime, throwing a tantrum b/c she somehow lost her new phone in a cab, “All I know is 225…..!” Hahahaha. The whole trip was amazing, and I’m definitely ready to do it again for my birthday. Our suites at the Mandalay Bay were über impressive, as was running into John Mayor!

The celebrating continued on to the following week b/c Andrea was in town from Seattle, which had us out almost every night- once again, we had to take advantage since it’s not every day that she’s here. I think one of my favorite parts was her coming out of my shower saying, “So I’m normally a fan of Tom’s of Maine, but damn Elizabeth that toothpaste is NASTY” (too bad she’d used my shaving cream!!!). Thurs. Jan. was our company party, and it was a blast. I had been stressing over the dilemma of to play games / not to play games. It’s not easy to please everyone. In the end, I found 2 awesome ones, and it was really fun to see the competitive side of our staff. I missed the Sat. bike ride in Vegas and the following week was cancelled due to the weather, so I told myself I’d do 4 hours on the trainer that Sunday- which I did! I watched Thank You for Smoking and Heroes. It wasn’t that bad, but my butt really started to get sore. I ate some tofu nuggets, txted people from the bike and the time went by…..

This Saturday we had our ride at Point Reyes. It was originally supposed to be 54 miles, but we ended up doing just under 40. The weather was crazy cold and rainy. I had fun and decided if I were a racehorse, I’d be the kind that likes a sloppy track, because I just had a blast out there in the rain! I finally downloaded some tunes on iTunes (thank you Kristi and Shane for my present). I realize I may loose all respect for my taste in music, but I have to say I really love that song Anything by Jojo (remix of Toto’s Africa). Hey- don’t judge me! I was rocking out to it all night and while getting ready in the morning.

Also equally important to note is that Feb. 5th is simultaneously Mardi Gras AND Super Tuesday. How exciting is that?! Can’t wait to see the results.

Love to you all! Muah (o;

P.S. Thank you to Edith, Lois, Art, Florence, and Allyson for your recent donations to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! The deadline is fast approacthing (Feb. 20), but it's not too late to contribute. Please visit http://www.active.com/donate/tntgsf/tntgsfECloern to help save lives now.