Deborah
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Sign-up for the e-NewsletterRollin’ Along In Austin…Texas
What a fantastic trip to Austin last weekend. I was with my family, it was my birthday, we were surrounded by inspiring people who know how to work hard and give deeply of themselves to others. We got to ride, do a running race, eat fantastic food, enjoy warm weather, sit in a hot tub, and soak up the energy of the Livestrong Foundation (Lance Armstrong Foundation).
Everyone has been touched by cancer; lost someone they love to cancer or are watching someone they love battle with cancer or are a survivor of cancer. I lost my mom to cancer 12 years ago. It was a devastating loss. I miss her every day. I am also grateful that I had such an incredible mom and I wore her name on my bike jersey with honor.
I lost my brother-in-law, Jim Owens to a brain tumor, this past January. This was the driving force behind my family going to the Livestrong challenge in Austin. To honor Jim who for several years, lived strong and raised thousands of dollars for Livestrong (Lance Armstrong Foundation). Through Livestrong, Jim and our family found support, resources, and inspiration to live through the battle. I know it helped Jim live longer. I know it helped my family work together on the difficult and draining cancer-battle-highway.
This past year my nephew Max (Jim’s son) and his mom Barb (my sister) raised over $20,000 for the Livestrong Challenge Ride in Austin and were therefore part of the “Ride for the Roses” group (celebrating LAF’s most enthusiastic supporters. LIVESTRONG Challenge participants who raise a minimum fundraising level of $10,000). Max got to ride on Saturday with Lance and about 35 other Ride for the Roses fundraisers. It was a thrill for him and there is no doubt that Lance Armstrong, the cancer survivor is a humble, generous and extremely forward thinking motivator for the War On Cancer. We are so fortunate to have his energy, resources, and focus. That, coupled with all the incredibly talented, smart and energetic folks who work for his foundation. Wow, it is a machine like not other! Enjoy the photos from my iPhone.
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- At the end of the 90 mile ride in the Austin Hill country where Lance trains.
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- My brother Jim from Seattle at one of the stops on the ride. We did the whole ride together.
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- My trusty ride. I love my bike!
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- Lance Armstrong himself! Thousands of riders were at the start staging area and guess who was right by the stage!
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- Staging for the ride start. Awesome energy!
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- Apres ride...Michael, Jim (brother) and Moi.
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- Michael enjoying cocktails at the Ride for the Roses Awards Dinner; Austin Music Hall.
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- Part of the Owens clan and my sister Barb (in black)
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- Michael doing air guitar at the Stevie Ray Vaughn memorial.
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- Uncle Mike and Max cheering the finishers at the 5K livestrong Run on Saturday morning
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- My nephew Max; he is passionate about living strong!
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- Michael resembles Mr. Armstrong no?
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- Yellow chalk, space, thoughts
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- Max's thoughts
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- Hope Rides Again
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- Goofing off before the 5K run on Saturday
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- In Memory, In Honor; there are so many
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- John and Pat Owens (Jim's brother) and their kids with Max and Uncle Mike
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- Lance's new team; can't wait for the 2010 Tour de France!
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- Bright lights, big city, big tacos, yummy, yummy
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- Pretty city; perfect weather
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- I have ALWAYS wanted a pair of red ones....some day
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- At the Livestrong Expo; announcing Jim's book. "The Survivorship Net"
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- Me and Chris Carmichael (Lance's coach!). We both have the same birthday :)
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- At Lance's awesome bike shop; Mellow Johnnys. Excellent coffee too.
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- Our friend Jim Williams from Austin (also team Flanders) drooling over Lance's bikes at Mellow Johnnys
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- Some of Lance's bikes and jerseys displayed at Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop in Austin
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- Enjoying some coffee at Mellow Johnny's surrounded by some of Lance's amazing race bikes
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- A mellow johnny bike mechanic tuning up my ride
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- Team Radio Shacks aresenal for domestic training
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- First things first upon arrival in Austin; REAL Mexican food. NUMMY!
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- My Ride for the Roses Jersey (for Max's fundraising efforts)
