So we've been doing lots and lots of training over the past few weeks! I'm really happy to have John and Paul as our fitness directors. They really push us physically to work our hardest.

To say the least, my schedule this semester isn't that compatible with weekly rides that go on. I can't make any of the weekday morning rides because of class. I also can't make some of the afternoon rides because of a 5pm class. So making my weekly and monthly mileage requirement is one thing that I'll be a little worried about.

But when I do get to ride, it's totally awesome. I learn to love every ride. Over the past 2 weeks, the rides have been getting longer, and the team has been getting closer. It's cool to see how everyone is learning how to communicate and ride better as groups.

Some of the biggest challenges so far have come about mainly by the weather. It's been a cold and wet February. But it's only a taste of what we'll be going through during the summer up in Canada and Alaska. I've felt pretty discouraged during the times when my toes were numb and the rain just didn't stop. Those have definitely been the hardest rides. But it always reminds me of the purpose of Texas4000. The people whom we ride for experience their own struggles in their fight against cancer.