Yesterday, February 25th, I rode 30 miles around Austin. Four teammates and I biked downtown past Barton Creek Mall and eventually took Loop 360 around our beautiful city. This ride was relatively peaceful and coming out of training camp my body felt strong. The weather was slightly cool with little wind, and I was in no pain despite the challenge of the slopes. However, as I battled one long and steep hill tears fell from my eyes and rolled down my face. I didn't bother to wipe them away.

As I was pedaling I thought of my Grandpa, James Thomas David (lost to cancer in '99) and how blessed I was to have had him in my life, even if only for a little while. While riding, I had plenty of time to remember the moments we shared together before cancer stole him from my world.

Losing my grandpa inspired me to join Texas 4000. I am proud to be his granddaughter, and I am thankful to be involved in an organization dedicated to fighting the disease that cut his life short. On August 26th, 2008 while attending Gone to Texas, (the university wide kickoff event for all new students to UT at Austin) I was introduced to Texas 4000 for cancer. Immediately, I knew in my heart that I had to be apart of what T4K stood for. In that moment, I felt a burning desire to be involved in something larger than myself and Texas 4000 has allowed me that opportunity. More than anything, I would like to thank Chris Condit for establishing this non-profit organization and for giving my life here at the University of Texas purpose.

As I think back to the application and interview process, I realize how far my team members and I have come in only five months. Since then I have personally raised over $3000 to be given to MD Anderson, learned to successfully clip in and out of the pedals on my Felt F85, and have fallen more in love with my teammates with each passing day. All 52 of us are becoming a family, and I am blessed to have a team that will push me, encourage me, laugh at me, and pick me up when I fall.

As a new cyclist, I am proud of the 30 training miles that I completed yesterday, but most importantly I am proud of every individual bravely looking cancer in the face refusing to succumb. Please keep fighting, continue to endure and remember that it is always darkest before dawn.

Yesterday, my tears fell knowing of the trials and tribulations that cancer patients wage each day. Some were tears of sadness in recollection of losing grandpa but others were tears of happiness at the realization that we are one day closer to finding a cure.

Our journey is not about how fast we get to Alaska, its about the climb and what is waiting for us on the other side ... A world free from cancer.