Life is an adventure and should be full of passion

P.S. I left out something!

2012-01-19T17:46:00.002-05:00

The picture below is of the Pit Pass I was issued for my pit crew. It provided them access to the pit for my race. The medal is a participation medal. Everyone that completed their race received one. Very cool Also, on Saturday evening they held the awards ceremony for the day's podium winners. Once all race podium were held they held the raffle. This raffle was for a Focus Mares AX 2.0. Crazy

and CX season 2011/2012 ends

2012-01-18T20:44:00.001-05:00

CX Master's Worlds week was unbelievable. 4 full days of excitement and fun. I spent the first two working with Barb. One of the best race registrar's around. She introduced me to all of the officials and judges. My job was to run start sheets to everyone. We also took racer's jackets/gear and made sure it was secure at the start line. The third day was spent spectating, I wanted to watch all

2012 Cyclocross Master's World Championships have arrived

2012-01-13T19:13:00.000-05:00

in Louisville, KY as has Father Winter in full force. The week started with quite a lot of rain and by Wednesday the course was a soggy, muddy, boggy playground. I took an "easy" lap to pre-ride and check out the lay of the course. It took me 25 minutes! to ride 2.2 miles. I signed up to volunteer Thursday and Friday. Thursday saw quite a mudfest of races. Many many pit changes for racers. The

CX Nats

2012-01-05T21:21:00.000-05:00

Wow, double wow. What a week and there's 3 more days to go. Monday was a whirlwind. Had bike checked up, needed new bearings in the BB and new rear brake cable (think that's right) and a new chain as the old one was stretched. Then grocery store, home to clean, cook, do laundry, pack bags, start to load the van. Tuesday I left the house about 6:20. Truly wanted to leave by 6, but that wasn't

Brief entry

2012-01-02T22:39:00.000-05:00

Raced on Saturday, felt like I was going backwards. Worst feeling in a race ever with good lungs and legs. Just had no power and a 10 year old passed me. ha ha this is life. 2.5 hour drive to race 30 minutes and suck big wind then drive 2.5 hours home. Boy, do I know how to party on New Year's Eve! I posted a word of the day that night: solitude. It is actually a good word, much different from

2011 coming to it's end

2011-12-28T12:53:00.000-05:00

It's been a helluva year to be sure. I was thrilled my job was still in place at the beginning of the year, it was uncertain. My boss seemed to like my performance from 2010 and I rec'd a nice bonus for the year. I already knew what I wanted to do with it. So, I talked with my guy at the LBS and probably drove him a little crazy with all of my questions. Which bike, what groupo, what size!?!,

Christmas 2011

2011-12-25T22:08:00.000-05:00

Best Christmas in a while. Both of my girls, my sis and bro, Mom, nieces and nephews among a few other special people came to my house on this beautiful day. The sun shone increasing vitamin D production. I cooked Saturday evening and Sunday until serving time around 12:30 ish. Ham, rib-eyes, smoked salmon/sour cream/minced scallions/on tortilla appetizer, vegan fudge, vegan brownies, butternut

2011-11-14T23:21:00.001-05:00

moms and daughters and dog and cat and being snubbed and so much BS I am tired

selfish wish

2011-11-11T22:10:00.001-05:00

that one of my family would come watch me race before i stop

writers block?

2011-11-11T22:01:00.001-05:00

I dunno. just not feelin it. lots of local drama and I hate gossip

phases and feelings

2011-11-01T21:09:00.001-04:00

sometimes it's hard and it's a big jumbled up mess you don't think about parents needing you. you don't think about life changing events until they are here. lately I've had Mom mad at me, a friend stop talking to me and a daughter tell me what for. I'm tired and sad. I promised myself I wouldn't cry anymore after my divorce was final. maybe it's time most days are good but today has

Oct 30, 2011

2011-10-30T21:36:00.001-04:00

Got to the venue in plenty of time, had all my stuff, pre-rode, registered, warmed up, felt great, lungs were good the whole time, mechanical about midway through, everyone passed me, I picked a few people off. Not my best day, but I felt like I was riding strong. Was third at the hole shot. This is CX. Someday I'd like to put together good lungs, good legs and no mechanicals. We'll see. Lots of

Storm the Greens tomorrow

2011-10-29T20:41:00.000-04:00

I'd like to think there could be a home court advantage. But there are plenty of local ladies in my race. What I hope for: good lungs, best warm up yet, strength on the straightaways, guts on the hills and drops, and lots of painful fun. It's been a full day. Course setup was great with many many people there to help out. It went well and by 3:00 people were able to get on the course. I got

differing perspectives

2011-10-28T21:35:00.000-04:00

I brought Mom to my place today for the week. We made a few stops; bank, grocery, Subway, drug store for her cigarettes. Carry in her things and grocerys, put grocerys away and begin to change into my kit. I sit down and eat half of my sandwich while she eats hers. She asks where I'm going to ride and I explain where the course/park is located (I've explained it many times). I told her that

STG = WOW

2011-10-25T21:01:00.000-04:00

So Sunday is going to kick my butt BIG TIME. I still want to do the mtn bike race, but practicality is taking a front seat right now. I went to CX practice tonight and got there early. Pre-rode a bit, especially the dowhill that makes me gasp a little, then there's the immediate run-up that I have no decent cardio for any kind of good performance. It's full of ups and downs plus two

STG or MTB decisions decisions

2011-10-24T21:34:00.000-04:00

No decision before Thursday, to be sure. Storm the Greens has some big challenges. The course is different than what we've been riding at Eva Bandman. It is CHALLENGING. with a lot of sweeping turns and ups and downs. UPS and DOWNS. It is a lot of fun to ride. It will kick my big fat arse to make no mistake! I'm torn though. There is still a lot of CX to race between now and Jan 15 or so.

Gratitude

2011-10-23T22:25:00.001-04:00

daughters and sister and brother and mother and barking dog and black cat and pissed off friend and long time friends and new friends and cycling buddies and colleagues and faraway friends and cousins and son in law past and daughters friends and also their boyfriends and nieces and nephews and babies and blogging friends and health and song and laughter and love in many forms and so much more

so far so good

2011-10-18T18:00:00.001-04:00

Mom had another eye injection today. All seems fine. Dr said she did well. Mom says she is an old pro as this is like 16 or more that she has had. Just trying to keep from having scarring on her good eye its been interesting. I never knew I would have a curfew at age 53! ha ha. She turns in very early, but if I go out she will stay up waiting for me to get home. it is nice to have someone say "

2011-10-17T22:38:00.001-04:00

rode easy recovery, cough returned, nothing like I expected though

BloomingCX

2011-10-16T20:57:00.000-04:00

Great course, beautiful weather, though a little warm quite windy and LOW humidity. It's a fast course, very little technical, lots of off camber, gravel, a true roadie course. Should've fit me well. Eh, dry air made for plenty of friction which leads to wheezing and constricted airways. Oh, how I would love to suffer in mud and be able to breath! At least then when I'm almost last there's not a

struggle

2011-10-15T21:36:00.000-04:00

parents age, some fair better than others. some have health and mental capacity well beyond 80, others begin to suffer from physical ailments much sooner maybe as early as 30s or 40s and the there is the mental frailty that sets in watching your parent(s) go through this is painful and no fun and so difficult. fear sets in then anger and so many other emotions and that's just mine. I can only

wish too much

2011-10-12T21:18:00.000-04:00

like knowing what's wrong with me so I can fix it oh well c'est la vie

Gun Club and sundries

2011-10-10T21:30:00.000-04:00

A friend joined me for the ride to Miamisville (I think that's right). Up at 5 am on a Sunday morning and in the car by 6:30 to drive 2+hours for a 30 minute race. Yes people this is cyclocross madness! And I love it! Gun Club is a gun club. There are shot gun shells and broken clay pigeons everywhere. Each race starts with a gun shot. It's unique and great fun! The course is always challenging.

Focus

2011-10-03T21:50:00.000-04:00

or be present, stay in the moment. I tend to drift more that I like to admit. When I do, things don't work out so well. I miss what someone is saying or maybe even that someone is interested. Saturday, I didn't use my fast acting inhaler (Proventil) 30 minutes before race time. BIG oops. I always take two puffs before a hard workout. Saturday morning KT says the announcer told the audience it was

Not the brightest bulb on the tree

2011-09-29T22:14:00.000-04:00

I have been working and working to make this deadline. Nights and weekends, ugh. Coming down to the wire I took the last two days off the bike. Legs were NONE too happy about that. Today's program was recovery, but I missed the last two days of efforts! I haven't had enough mileage on any ride lately IMO. Not since the fire road ride. So I too off about 4:30 and rode to 62 and Waterline Rd and

Indy CX double weekend plus

2011-09-27T20:50:00.001-04:00

Brookside was as good as ever. They made a few changes, all to the good. The concrete steps are a mainstay and I still am not prepared for running or climbing. How do I fit this into my day/week? The start is uphill on the pavement. I worked hard to gain ground from the back. Since I didn't race the first weekend I was behind everyone else that did. I'm not positive, but think I was somewhere

what to write

2011-09-22T23:27:00.000-04:00

I Love my Mom. Family comes first. It's challenging. I Keep reminding myself this is not about me. But I am thankful for my brother and sister. They give me a respite now. This weekend is #2 and #3 of the Ohio Valley cyclo cross series (OVCX) . There are some very fast and strong women in the cat 4 35+. I'm still realistic. as long as I don't DNF and hopefully not DFL life will be good. I

full moon this morning

2011-09-13T22:00:00.000-04:00

Day was full of conversations, some of them were aural which is always a big treat. Too many are still written, some of the important ones too. I am perplexed about things. But will see how it all plays out. So much to do, so little time ha ha "Forget what you give and remember what you receive" good advice peace

Huber's Applecross - day #2

2011-09-12T21:44:00.001-04:00

They reversed the course and made some additional modifications. I pre-rode 2 laps before the Men's Cat 4 race. It would be challenging to be sure. After Saturday's race I took too long to eat. Wound up at ValuMarket hungry and bought veggies and things to take Sunday. Also picked up some sushi for dinner. yum I slept 9 hours. Kept hitting the snooze. The lineup was a bit different some

1st CX race of 2011 is in the books

2011-09-10T21:42:00.000-04:00

Huber's Applecross Day 1 was fantastic. Tough course, yet fun. Weather was beautiful, though warmer than I'd hoped and drier too. ;) One of my very best friends just bought a CX bike last Sunday, practiced all week and did her first bike race ever today. I'm so very proud of her. She did great! There were 9 women registered for the 3/4 35+ women's race, 8 toed the line. There were 3 under 35

Yippee! 1st cyclocross race of the year tomorrow

2011-09-09T22:34:00.000-04:00

but I'm fairly tentative about it. Training is slow to get together. BUT I am psyched to get to see all of these great people I've not seen since last season!!! One of my very good friends is up to do her first race tomorrow. She will rock this race. All she needs to do is chill and focus. I'm thrilled to sleep in my bed again for a few days. My sis came and took Mom for a few days. Life is

Riding in the rain

2011-09-08T21:11:00.000-04:00

just riding in the rain What a glorious feelin'I'm happy again.I'm laughing at clouds.So dark up aboveThe sun's in my heartAnd i'm ready for love. So I've plagiarized, but I rode through the parks today and LOVE riding in the rain. It was anywhere from a mist to a steady light rain with some drizzles thrown in for good measure. It's cyclocross season and these cooler temps are lovely. Low

It was a good day

2011-09-07T20:51:00.000-04:00

when I look back on it in total. Started with waking up at 3:00 and I was awake for a while. First time I've heard jets flying overhead. They were close and back to back to back. I slept in, I decided why not. Last day of my "holiday" (time away from work, mostly). Mom and I discussed her meds. She said I put the wrong thing in her nighttime container for yesterday. I'd gone out and wasn't here

2011-09-06T23:03:00.001-04:00

ContradictionI am energized yet weary. Elated yet in despair. Anxious though at peace. Mad however full of love

Barriers!

2011-09-05T21:51:00.001-04:00

Temps have dropped. 90s on Saturday, 60s today and breezy. Everyone showed up with arm and leg warmers on today at CX practice. Well, everyone but me. I rode to practice and wore my windjacket. One I did a warmup lap I was nice and toasty. This was a ladies practice. Great group of people! And 2 guys with lots of patience and experience and helpful drills and tips. Breathing is slowly getting

Ha ha, life has it's way

2011-09-04T21:10:00.000-04:00

of turning out for the best. Might even turn out the way you want, but not on your terms. One thing I know, I have no control over fate. but despite my attempts sometimes, just sometimes life happens the way I would have it happen. Other times, I concede it happens the way it should in spite of my wishes. And the rest, maybe I'm not so wise after wall. My Mom is with me for a while. She has

2011-09-03T23:03:00.001-04:00

it's just all too personal

Day 1+ and counting

2011-08-31T21:29:00.000-04:00

We survived a full day + , Mom and I. No knock down, drag outs so far. She did manage to lock us out of the main bathroom. I have no keys to interior doors. So I had my first lesson (self administered) on how to disassemble a door knob. Now, I need to get it back on. Well, we can wait until I get a key before I do that. The dog loves to bark. I'm good with that when she is outside in the back

Facts of life

2011-08-30T19:49:00.000-04:00

Nothing stays the same and nothing lives forever. When my ex and I divorced, I took Socks and he kept Bastian. Mostly due to lifestyle. Socks would be happy indoors most anywhere. Bastian had always been able to be out and run, chase small animals and bugs. We adopted Bastian from the office head at my place of business in fall of 1999. She had "adopted" five pups who had lived all summer at the

First mtn bike season is in the books - racing-wise that is

2011-08-28T21:28:00.000-04:00

splurged on a room and sushi for dinner. Went to bed by 10:30, was awake 11:30, 12:30; 2:00, 3:30 - 4:15 and finally slept (with alarm and snooze) til 7:30. I had a nice breakfast of 2 pancakes, scrambled eggs, oatmeal and hot tea. Took my time with putting everything back in the car and arrived in time to sign in and click off some pics of the Cat Pro/1/2 start. Went back to the van and

Town Run the last DINO of 2011 is tomorrow

2011-08-27T21:48:00.000-04:00

and so is my last mtn bike race of the year. There's one more, but I've got a family commitment that is more dear and important to me. Seems like it took me forever to get everything done today. Get out of bed was the most time consuming. ha ha Laundry, mowed (weed-eated) the grass, garbage, dishes, packing clothes, packing the van and too much farting around. Made one last phone call to my

Wondering what it could be

2011-08-25T21:11:00.000-04:00

and deciding what it's not. This stupid asthma episode. I've decided is due to ragweed, because it happens every year. I've decided it's not the clothes I'm storing that are permeated with stale cigarette smoke and it's not the guest cat, Cocoa who is visiting for a while. Wheezed and coughed and choked all day while working. My legs weren't happy and I was getting stiff, so I decided to get out

so much on my mind

2011-08-24T20:33:00.001-04:00

so much to think about. Walked 4 blocks to grab a bite to eat. Stupid air had me wheezing before I got there. Walking home my ribs were sore, probably from coughing over the last two days. Sure can't ride if I can't walk. It's cool though. Other things are occupying my time. Hours and hours of work. Family tasks. Touching base with friends. I have gotten such good news lately. Babies being

wheeze

2011-08-23T21:48:00.000-04:00

ragweed reached 9.9 levels today. the wheeze has arrived. before the first official CX practice. my chest is full of congestion. very grateful it's not infection. just clear mucous. it makes very odd sounds when I take deep breaths. i don't like it. hoping the benadryl WV brought to me dries it up and puts me out. tried to do some strength exercises. need to breathe for that. tried some

Season of dry nostrils is over

2011-08-20T20:17:00.000-04:00

It happened this week. I'm riding on the road early on and my nose begins to drip. It's clear so it's allergy, but annoying. I'd hoped maybe we could last until October. HA HA so stupid to think that. I'm not sure what is triggering. Woke up in the wee hours of Friday morning with sore throat, fever and ear ache which is NOT what needs to happen. Took some thieves oil and all was clear by mid

random

2011-08-18T21:12:00.004-04:00

today was not a good day to work from home. The water co. decided to replace the lead (yes lead which is poisonous to the human species) with copper lines. Jack hammers at 9am were most pleasant. Thank goodness my first call was at 11, with my boss, and they were still creating havoc! Behind at work and more urgent requests come at all hours. But one PM tells me that one project is highest/er

Nicknames

2011-08-17T22:04:00.000-04:00

Everyone in the town I grew up in had one. Everyone it seemed except me. (yes, that's an exaggeration because there were others without). Thing was, as far as I knew, everyone was cool with it. Whenever you got one it was like being christened (I was brought up baptist and we didn't do that). There were so many and my memory fades, but Goose and White eye are two I remember. But it's when there

Certified in something

2011-08-14T15:49:00.001-04:00

The past week has been turbulent. So much has happened. Too personal to post specifics. I took a couple of days away from work and now have so much to make up. This was supposed to be an easy training week, I'm not sure I've done enough to even qualify as easy week. I started the Heine bro ride on Sunday, but legs felt like lead. Normally, after 20 minutes of riding they start to feel better,

Life is full of tests

2011-08-09T22:30:00.000-04:00

some tests belong to others, but they also become yours. Training is blegh right now. The right knee hasn't been the same since I crashed on my CX bike. I saw a massage therapist who did wonders, but that only lasted a few days. During that session she told me I've had lots of whiplash, ha ha ha No Joke! Anyway, family is the most important thing to me. My daughters are precious. My Mom and

Some kinda funk

2011-07-31T20:25:00.001-04:00

Not sure why. My right knee hasn't felt right since I crashed on the trails riding my CX bike. I'm training, but don't think the intensity is where I should be putting it. Rode Waverly yesterday. Felt like crap the whole time. Was it the heat? air quality? humidity? I am not sure at all. The one thing I do know is that I absolutely love the new trail "under construction" out there. It's being

Versailles weekend

2011-07-24T20:33:00.000-04:00

It's hot and it's summer and that's the way it's supposed to be. I love the heat and I love to sweat, but lately I'd like a respite. KT and I drove up to Versailles on Saturday. We'd planned on camping, but then a friend offered us nice cool place to sleep. The three of us got to the park about the same time. They rode their course and I rode mine. They started to hang back and I said to just go

2011-07-21T22:42:00.001-04:00

somethings I just have to let be

"tumblin' thompson"

2011-07-20T20:38:00.000-04:00

DB dubbed me this yesterday. Talked to my mechanic on Monday and took his advice this time about rear derailleurs. Parts came in today. Hope I get the bike tomorrow so I can get another good ride tomorrow before the weekend. I rode my road bike on Monday for an easy recovery hour with a friend. We got to my place and fixed a healthy dinner. Nice girl talk too. Yesterday DB said she would show

Buzzards!

2011-07-17T19:21:00.001-04:00

Decided yesterday to race my mtn bike at Capital View park in Frankfort, KY. It was the annual Bluegrass State Games. I'd never ridden there. Think I should've pre-ridden to get a better feel, but that's all history. There were 7 Cat 3 women, 3 in 50+ category. The other two won the category. The course was technical with lots of twisty, turny single track. Fairly flat except for one grassy hill

fitness, subjective?

2011-07-16T21:20:00.000-04:00

So I've been thinking about what the man said last night, "how do you stay so fit?" was a nice boost to my self-confidence. But, I'm not all that fit. I want to lose minimum of 10 lbs and be able to ride my mountain bike for over 2 hours without stopping to catch my breath and let my HR drop. I have friends that are tri-athletes and can ride, run and swim circles around me. Then I have

ok, so I'm clueless!?!

2011-07-15T22:36:00.001-04:00

I ask a friend to dinner, but they never respond. I go anyway. I've been wanting to get to this local microbrew, New Albanian Brewing Company in New Albany, IN. I drive over and put my name in for a table and find the bar. Bartender pours me samples of two different beers and I choose one. There's really no place to be, so I find a corner of the bar to set my glass of beer and water and wait.

Riding bike is TOPS

2011-07-10T21:01:00.001-04:00

Monday is recovery day, but this week it was 4th of July so I rode trails with DB for what seemed like a very long time! Met a a TR guy that races mtn bike. I didn't know they existed! ha ha Tuesday was going to finally race the 5-spot (which is actually $15 this year) but work comes first. By the time I wrapped up and headed out I missed the women's race. So I did my form sprints as prescribed

2011-07-08T23:22:00.001-04:00

Think I am lost now amongst youngers. There are none my age lately

Beers, briars, bikes, bruises, bumbs and some beauty, too!

2011-07-04T22:18:00.000-04:00

Last weekend I took Friday through Monday. First real vacation, short as it was, this year. I drove to Cincy and raced two evening crits: Madeira and Hyde Park Blast, on Friday and Saturday. Proof of how far behind everyone else I am as far as fitness on the year. But they were good indicators and motivators. It was a good thing I was on my own afterwards. Was not proud of my performance at all.

Take it and go with it

2011-06-23T21:54:00.002-04:00

Life doesn't always show up the way we want or expect. I had certain goals and expectations this year, but they aren't quite there yet. I went to Warsaw for work. Wasn't terribly excited since I was going to be off the bike for 9 days. Wasn't sure what the meetings would be, but happy I had at least one full day with the team I work closely with. Meetings were good, full of information. Lots of

2011-06-13T16:55:00.000-04:00

I volunteered for the Inaugural Make a Wish foundation walk in Louisville on Saturday morning. One of my best friends was instrumental in getting this organized and it was a great success! I got home, put laundry in the dryer and took my mtn bike to the LBS to have my handlebars cut down while I'm traveling. I get home and order a cab for 1:30 pm with 2 hours to spare I finish laundry, pack my

2011-06-11T18:23:00.001-04:00

Melancholy each time I leave

2011-06-11T18:22:00.001-04:00

Always too long and is gibberish. Ha ha. 'more than words'

time is flying and so will I soon

2011-06-10T22:43:00.000-04:00

Brown County State Park DINO was the best! It was very difficult. At least that uphill start was a bear for me. I rode it once for a good warmup. I was relieved to get onto the single track and ride. I got stuck behind a slower rider for a bit. I need to learn to pass. She finally got over and I got into a decent rhythm. My HR was maxed, wish I'd remember to start the monitor. I keep wearing the

silly me

2011-06-06T16:12:00.000-04:00

wish I didn't wish so much

2011-06-01T22:32:00.001-04:00

Short track was hot and hard and I have very very much work to do

I survived Memorial Day weekend!

2011-05-31T21:25:00.000-04:00

Hot fun in the summertime - Sly and the Family Stone Major holiday weekends the office closes at 1:00. So I setup the Out of Office and left for Target. Picked out a TV table, got help getting it to checkout and loaded in the van and took it home. It was "assembly required" and I had to open the box and carry each piece to the house, one by one. It took me an hour and a half to assemble that

2011-05-30T23:05:00.000-04:00

Love fresh, clean sheets and shaven legs

2011-05-28T23:04:00.001-04:00

Disappointment in an endeavor will hopefully create more ambition to overcome

2011-05-25T21:50:00.001-04:00

I never used to dream. Why now? And these topics?

Fun weekend, not what I had planned

2011-05-23T21:46:00.000-04:00

Friday evening, just in from doing my openers before Saturday's crit and someone knocks on the door and walks in. Hah! A friend I've not spent nearly enough time with over last months. He and his SO took the tour of the house, I changed clothes and then we walked to a neighborhood bar for beers. After a couple of beers we came back to the house had broke out the tequila for shots. Nothing good

2011-05-18T22:30:00.001-04:00

Dammit

50s again and it's mid May

2011-05-16T22:39:00.000-04:00

Put on a skirt ride tonight but no one showed. A friend came down from Cincy. She joined me on lap two. I caught a chill. Good easy ride though on my new SuperX with road tyres. Took a nice hot bath. I may be in the poor house due to water and water heater bill. My CSA started today with my bro. Kale and mustard greens with lettuce and radishes and onions and asparagus. Yums I have forgotten

2011-05-15T22:30:00.001-04:00

Trying but failing to live without pain relievers. Stupid hands and feet

Tuesday

2011-05-10T23:16:00.000-04:00

So much time has passed. And I've not posted much at all. Today was a full day at work. Then I had one of the best solo rides in a while. Intervals, 3 x 10 minutes with recovery in between. I rode to Utica. Beat the TNWs as they moved to that route for tonight as well. I had good power, felt great other than some aches and pressure points. Finally I feel like training is coming together. I got

2011-04-29T00:26:00.001-04:00

Really not doing this very well Miss having a best friend, someone to lean on sometimes.

yeah

2011-04-21T22:04:00.000-04:00

so I hate when I am overwhelmed with sadness. It's unproductive and such a waste. But I can't stop it or the tears. damn it

Home!

2011-04-19T22:03:00.000-04:00

It seems like a very long time ago that I really felt at home. But today as I pulled into the garage and walked up the sidewalk through my backyard to the back door I was thinking "Home!". That is one of the best feelings I've had in quite sometime. There's still much to do and right now it's all in a shambles. The grass keeps growing taller so tomorrow I must purchase grass cutting tools. I

Homeowner

2011-04-17T18:24:00.000-04:00

This has been a busy week, fairly stressful with little time in the saddle. My oldest came and packed my kitchen on Sunday as I packed in the bedroom. I worked Monday all day and Tuesday about half a day. Walked through the house one last time @ 2:30 to make sure nothing major was wrong. They had removed both bathroom mirrors and the potrack that was bolted to the ceiling in the kitchen. These

Annual physical

2011-04-04T19:38:00.000-04:00

Great way to start the week! Forgot to fast, so have to do that tonight and have blood pulled tomorrow a.m. to check my thyroid levels. But she'll also check my sugar and other things too I'm sure. She did an x-ray today to check bone density. I weigh 10 lbs more than last March, crap! I told her about my insomnia and she says it's a sign of depression. Asks if I want a script for sleeping pills,

Wind decides to show up in April?

2011-04-03T21:02:00.001-04:00

So, I'm trying to focus on the training plan. I toyed with driving to Ohio to race this weekend, but I'm NOT fit enough. So, I rode all week. Trainer on rainy days, outside on dry days. Walking and strength. The plan calls for endurance miles and some focussed form and strength training right now. Tuesday, I rode with the new local women's team. Nice to meet some new ladies that like to ride

Love to ride bikes

2011-03-28T22:12:00.000-04:00

Started feeling not so great Thursday during the day and went downhill fast. By Friday morning my lungs were full of congestion and I had no energy. I emailed my colleagues and slept almost all day, drinking as much as I could when I was awake taking vitamins and eating blood oranges. I slept in on Saturday too, which is amazing considering my insomnia. The temps cooled and I was happy to curl up

Yes!

2011-03-23T21:22:00.000-04:00

so maybe I'm outta this funk Have a few things in the works Had a great workout tonight, even though it wasn't 100% what coach ordered, I was close (well sorta) I had the cadence and wattage for sure. Temps are gonna cool off, which I think will be good. I can ride some trails in next couple of days, that always heats me up! Another chickadee racer is in town. I hope she and i can join up soon

Spring has arrived

2011-03-22T21:35:00.001-04:00

the temps have been balmy and today downright warm. It's March, it won't last. I won't complain either. What a wonderful couple of weeks. So I've been a slacker most of the year on training. Not on purpose, life has gotten in the way. Well.... maybe on purpose too. I had that stupid flu for almost 3 weeks. And have been focused on house buying. March started off right, but hiccuped a bit NO

Sub 9 Death March

2011-03-14T21:51:00.002-04:00

I saw this back in December or early January. It looked like it could be fun. <9 Death March Two person teams head out into the Hoosier National Forest in search of up to 9 cemeteries and a Fire Tower, provide proof (photographic kind) that both team members were there all under 9 hour time limit. 5 cemeteries are mandatory, 3 of which are published in advance, remaining 2 are drawn at the

lame post

2011-03-13T21:00:00.000-04:00

wish I had more gumption/energy/something but I don't. It was a great day and days leading up had some interesting events. However, my legs and body ache and are spent and my fingers aren't working and neither is my brain. Soon, I hope...

March enters as a lamb

2011-03-04T22:05:00.001-05:00

February exited with some storms, March entered fairly calmly. Tuesday was cool, but dry and sunny. A friend and I met after work and rode our road bikes. Met at Seneca, went through St. Matthews and over to Rudy and Blankenbaker to River Road. The river was even higher than on Sunday since we'd had all those storms Sunday night into Monday. There was a lot of debris moving with it, tree limbs,

made an offer

2011-03-01T23:21:00.000-05:00

on the house, they countered, I accepted. Scary, heart thumping, exciting, exhilarating, so many words. Hope I can celebrate soon with friends. Was a bit anti-climactic tonight. Still have a hard time doing stuff solo. My daughter say I should be grateful. Know what? I am. Doesn't mean I don't have urges, cravings, wants for eh peace and love to each and everyone

a tad excited and a little scared

2011-02-28T22:50:00.000-05:00

Big steps, life is full of them. Most of them I did with someone by my side. Last two years have been radically different from anything I've ever known. Some days I've been scared shitless and other days so nuts I'd do anything to not be alone. I made an offer on a house today. Biggest or maybe scariest thing I'll ever do. I am excited, nervous, and teary-eyed. Well, we'll see if they accept or

Reacquainted, reclusive, recharged...

2011-02-27T21:12:00.000-05:00

and resolute at this point. These describe my weekend for the most part. Friday I made good on a bet with a neighbor from my last apartment. His Packers won the SuperBowl, so I bought dinner. His choice and he went easy on me. I was thrilled as I'd never been to PF Changs before. The food was very good. I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with this friend that I've known less than two years. He

There should be a 3 day weekend once a month

2011-02-21T20:47:00.000-05:00

The stupid cold/flu is slowly fading away. I am looking and looking for houses. Viewed 5 last week but none tickled my fancy. Friday afternoon was so beautiful I decided to head out on the trails for a ride after word. Daylight is hanging until 6:30 or so which makes it very nice. I saw many cyclists in the park! Rode cyclists, junior racers, other racers and casual riders along with various

2011-02-19T21:14:00.000-05:00

I am happy. And I think I might have found a house. But something is missing. And then I get sad. I don't want to be sad!!!! dammit.

Funny how it goes

2011-02-16T21:26:00.000-05:00

Started the day with a smile breaking through so many tears. Releasing something can be sad and freeing, lightening and joyous. Long day at work and another where I didn't get the things I planned due to other things popping up. Still not sure I'm caught up from missing Thursday and Friday. Physically I'm about 85%. But the temps were in high 60s so I called a friend and we rode through the

Fast / not fast enough

2011-02-14T21:12:00.000-05:00

people comment all the time, a friend did today, that I am "the fastest, most plugged in person, u r on it. It kinda baffles my mind" Maybe it puts people off... People email, I respond. People text, I respond. People call, I call back. Maybe it started with work. Good customer service. If it was going to take a while to research, let the person know I'm on it. And it has transferred into my

maybe it's more than a cold

2011-02-13T19:33:00.000-05:00

because I've not had a cold make me feel this bad and sleep this much before. I woke up at 7 this morning, looked at the clock and laid my head back on my pillow. It was going on 10 before I climbed out of bed. Everything has started making it's way into my chest now. This is NOT what I want or need to happen. A friend called and asked me to join her for a ride. I wanted to say yes, but knew I

it's almost Yad Senitnelav

2011-02-12T21:40:00.000-05:00

and I hope everyone that is in a loving relationship remembers that each day should be special and full of love, caring, understanding and tenderness. I've been under the weather with this cruddy virus/cold. I've slept tons, drank gallons of water and herbal teas, taken minerals and vitamins and eaten citrus. I've had lots of time for introspection, contemplation, realization, tried some

slowly starting

2011-02-07T20:59:00.000-05:00

to feel like I might be getting some fitness back. Man this has been slow going. I have a ways yet. Pressure point on my saddle and in my shoes. Has to be moving to the road bike. Trainer workouts are easier, but I'm trying to get on the rollers as much as I can. Some days it's all I can do to pedal for over 5 minutes before either grabbing a drink, readjusting how I sit or wiping sweat. Have a

2011-02-03T22:13:00.000-05:00

at this time I ask the universe for guidance and love I do not want to wander anymore

January 2011 begins and ends with warm days

2011-01-30T20:59:00.000-05:00

and of course all of the cyclists I know got outside and rode (those that were able). We just had 2 days of 45F and sunshine. Such a wonderful blessing from mother nature. I wanted to ride and ride as long as I could. Unfortunately, that's not as long as I wanted. But no sour grapes. Saturday was a fun ride with a girl friend. She's a triathlete and ironman, but right now is wanting to race

Aches

2011-01-28T14:06:00.000-05:00

and pains are normal. Especially when you fall down as much as I do. :-) Not sure what's up lately though. Sleep pattern is all messed up. I sleep well, then I don't. My shoulder stops aching so much then it aches like the dickens. I woke up about 4 this morning and I had this pain in the left side of my heart. Not a heart attach pain. But something that was more like a pointed pinch. I know it