In my last post, I was excited about how I felt stronger, even though I was training harder. I may have turned the proverbial corner, at least the first of many corners on this long road. Nevertheless, I still had a fresh set of X-Rays taken on Sunday, and sent them to my surgeon extraordinaire; Dr. Harlun Amstutz of the Joint Replacement Institute.

It’s a good thing I had almost 10 weeks of base building underneath me before I started training for the Giretto, or I’d be a hurtin’ puppy right now. As it was, the first two weeks (even while I was waiting on approval from Livestrong I started training in earnest) were pretty painful. I am used to training hard for events and races, but the real concern I had was the pain in my most recent hip replacement. The right hip is almost 10 years old, but …

As they say, you should be careful what you pray for… you just might get it. On Friday the 6th of March, I was given approval by Colleen Wilson, the Grassroots Fund Raising manager at Livestrong that this would be an official Livestrong event. I could hear the skepticism in her voice… where would I get the riders, how would I handle the accommodations, and other questions I’ve had to pepper myself with before I decided to open my big mouth. Apparently I was convincing enough because …

I’m chompin’ at the bit to buy these bibs for the Giretto d’Italia, but I can’t do it till I know if we are an “official” LIVESTRONG event. The suspense is killing me! It’s been about a week since I made the decision to ride in my self proclaimed Little Giro (Giretto), and I’ve managed 5 good training days and 2 days of rest so far. The training is harder than I thought, since now I have to push and structure my indoor rides for myself, not just a class …

So here’s the idea. We get as many riders (intermediates to advanced) that we can to ride our self made “Little Giro” – or Giretto d’Italia for cancer under the LIVESTRONG banner. This will consist of just the first 5 stages of the actual Giro, done about 5 hours in advance of the Pros, but covering every km that they cover. The fact that the founder and worldwide ambassador for LIVESTRONG™ , Mellow Johnny himself, will be riding “right behind us”, makes the event all the more perfect!

I have really done it this time; inserted foot, leg and well more than I can say into my big mouth. I’ve debated doing this for weeks now, secretly hoping no one would be crazy enough to join me, so I would have a reason to not do it – but enough of that wimpy indecision. I booked the flight, and so I am committed to go, with our without others. I’m promising – no I think I should say attempting – to do the first 5 stages of the …