...Pain. That was the advice given by the yoga instructor Rick when I went to class yesterday. I have finally gone back to the awesome bikram yoga to deal with the everyday stress in life as well as therapy for my body. I owe my mind and body something beautiful. Anyhow, I'm doing yoga among other things to train. While I should have been concentrating on myself and meditating I couldn't help but think about the team and the people we will cross paths with along our journey when Rick gave that advice. He said the best way to make friends with pain is through breathing. I couldn't agree more. It goes back to when people always say "just breathe" when dealing with anything in life. The best medicine to help deal with pain physically, is to breathe. I remember this with any conditioning I'm doing. The best medicine to help deal with pain mentally is laughter. And this is the medicine we will give each other and hope to give to those we hope to touch along our ride.

This has all come to mind lately because of some of the conditioning I have been doing lately. I participated in the "Mission to Mission" ride here in SA. It was a crisp 30 degrees riding and gave me a taste of riding in the cold. My hands and feet were a bit numb. Buurrrrr!! I was accompanied by a kind fellow cyclist Rod. He pushed us and I am gratelful for that. It was a good 34 miles. As I told him about Texas 4000 he shared with me that his wife Bernadette is a cancer survivor. I am grateful for him sharing this with me and grateful how Texas 4000 brings out the inspiration, excitment and bonding between people. Thanks Rod.

Pain is also with me right now as I write. I participated in a Duathlon this past weekend and loved every bit of it, even the pain. The 3.5 mile run, 26 mile bike ride, then another 3.5 mile run really woke my legs up. All this in 40 degree wet weather, which is also what we will go through. Muscles tight, stomach hurting, hills hills hills... all is welcome.

So I will remember to help cure myself by breathing and hope to help others with laughter.

Finally I ride for Rod, Bernadette and their family. Thank you for having Texas 4000 in your thoughts. Also I want to ride for a teammate or mine, Lauren. Her mother is battling cancer and is going through her good times and tough times. I hope these holidays will be restful for her family. Thanks for sharing Lauren.