Today was my most invigorating ride of the Extra Mile America Tour. Usually, I like to pass on a message with this blog, but today, I just want to share a story.

I am pedaling through the Nevada desert. Today I rode from Lovelock to Winnemucca (72 miles). 

Phew! I have never been so happy to reach any goal! (The Carson Pass was over 8,000 feet elevation!) 

I made it to Sacramento!! Phew! It was hard work going over the rolling hills from the Bay Area, but I did it! I remembered Creighton Wong's words from Oakland (an amputee doing a triathlon in New York this weekend): "I never say I can't." 

I met some amazing extra-mile people today whose missions inspire me so much. Mike Hannigan, Founder of Give Something Back, has given away 82% of his company's profits to charity over the last 18 years... Tom Heinz is the Founder of East Bay Innovations, an organization that's dedicated to helping the developmentally disabled find jobs and housing... Creighton Wong, an amputee triathlete who doesn't know the words "I can't"... Amazing 20 somethings Christopher Darby with The Mosaic Project and Matthew Linzer with Oakland Leaf, all young men with a vision of making a difference with their social voice and helping young people... Emily Orologio... a first-year teacher who thinks outside the box for her 7th graders... it was a day to be inspired. 

Day #1 of the Tour brought with it a lot of great moments. 

With cargo van packed, we headed to S.F. to begin the Tour! I feel really good about things...no nervousness...no fear. All I have to do is take care of whatever needs to be done on that individual day. I don't need to think about anything else other than that. One day at a time....one person at a time...one mile at a time. 

It's my last Friday at home before taking off to San Francisco to start the great extra-mile adventure. Do I feel nervous? Ummm...sure, a bit. Am I fearful? No...not at all. I have surrounded myself with amazing people who I trust completely in coordinating all events from California while I am out on the road. Physically...am I prepared? I believe so. I know there will be moments when my body will undoubtedly cry out...but I believe my heart and will are far stronger than tired legs. Most of all, I am excited to see what happens when you stretch the realm of "possibility" and put months of action behind it. And in this...things promise to get very exciting. 

Wow!!! It's hard to believe, but in two weeks, I will be starting the ride!