Tonight, 11:03 p.m., is the night before our first T4K meeting for the fall semester. This is really exciting for many reasons. The most exciting is that it is now our OFFICIAL ride year! Also, we have a new sponsor (am I allowed to tell yet?)...LIVESTRONG! This is crazy good news considering that Lance Armstrong is a considerable source of inspiration for many people battling cancer or fighting to dominate and conquer those grueling miles via bicycle (for good causes, of course). I know that our team is very happy about this news and I know that the people who will be teaming up with us are as focused and determined to fight cancer as we are!

Also, this weekend was Tribute--the commemorative gala which celebrates the return of the summer team riders. Although I was not able to stay for the function and see everybody with their beautiful, shining faces (tan no doubt from 4,500+ miles from Austin to Alaska!), I felt overwhelmed with emotion even during set-up!! Walking around, admiring all of the items that have been donated to the event (silent and live auction items, food, beverages, etc.), watching video clips from the summer ride, and watching all of my teammates working together to prepare for a glorious evening...well, it was simply, overwhelming. What was most powerful, however, was a huge card that children from MD Anderson had written to the 2001 team saying congratulations and thank you. This was really powerful considering the fact that THEY are the ones we ride for and that THEY are our inspiration and that THEY are the ones who are TRULY doing the hard work! I really look forward to giving them my all throughout this journey!

Also, I had the pleasure of running into a 2010 rider and just listening to her made me feel so excited for our ride and made me feel so sad that her's was coming to a close. (Although, T4K is never truly over!) I really hope that everyone had a wonderful evening and I can't wait to see people on campus--my teammates as well as last year's team included. Alas, tomorrow begins the official FIRST day of our ride year. CHEERS!