Louisville MTB Short.Track.Racing Race #1 2015

So other than an attempt at an Enduro or three over the last two summers I haven't seriously raced since the 2012/2013 Cyclocross season. I can't say it's much different since I'm not sure Wednesday's race counts as serious racing (for me). 

I'm out of practice on race prep so got home, gathered my gear and bike, loaded the van and headed to Eva. This after making numerous trips back to the house for this and that. Once I arrived I felt terribly rushed to get registered and the line was growing at the reg tent, then to get my timing chip. Rush back to the van and change (have I said how common it is to see me anywhere in the USA changing clothes in parking lots? yeah, all the time). Before I turned 45 I never would've thought at almost 57 I would be doing any of these things.

I digress.  The Trance is too heavy for short track racing, IMO. I had lent my Scalpel to a friend to ride for a couple of weeks and he returned it Tuesday night, all clean and ready to go. Lowered my saddle, put my pedals on and went for a pre-ride thinking I had about 15 minutes before start time. In an ideal world a minimum 30 minute ride for warmup is best for me. There were 3 logs to clear, 2 small and one not so small (but there was a ride around I discovered during the race). About halfway through the first warmup lap and my gears started wanting to shift themselves, more than needing a trim. The one climb on the course made this problem seem even worse.  I rode to my van and worked on adjusting things. At first I moved the barrel in the wrong direction, but I figured that out and thought I had it right.  Rode 2 more laps and went to start line. 

The kids race was just starting! I had more time than the schedule said, which was good for me to calm down and watch the little ones. These girls and boys are anywhere from around 2 to 8 riding tricycles, striders and bicycles. They are all in and racing their little bums down the track. So adorably cute they all are!

 Since I haven't had any fitness and long time since racing I entered the Women's C race. There were 4 of us and we were set for 20 minutes. In addition to us we had the Juniors racing 30 seconds behind us. Well, it didn't take long for several of them to pass us! I lost count but think we completed 4 maybe 5 laps and total time was less than 20 minutes. I haven't ridden that hard with my heart rate pegged in a long time! Clare was much too fast and she dieseled well out in front and I never saw her after the first lap. Leigh Ann was in 2nd and I can't remember when I passed her. Maybe about the time the first junior boy passed us. The Jr girls came around fairly early on. I wound up 2nd. Was happy the wheezing subsided by the end of the following race and was humbled by all of the people cheering for me as I rode around and around the course. I do not have the words to convey the way that makes me feel. But I do hope I can get some consistency over the summer and drop some weight. No commitments, but it would be nice to through in a cyclocross race this fall. End of the day if I never race again I'd be fine with it. But being around all the people in the cycling community is great. The mountain bikers especially are some of the most supportive around.

There are so many fun people that raced Wednesday. I'm so proud of K8 monster and another Jr I can't remember her name, Kate Dietrich, KK Santos, Laura Chism, Jennifer Hester, Mary Penta and Jenna Blandford. These women and many more are my heroines to be sure regardless of their age.

The men's races were fun to watch as well, but I will let them tell their stories. :-D

We have four more Wednesdays to race. It costs $10 each and $5 if you are a Jr and free for kids. There's a food truck, Black Rock Grille that serves up delicious burgers and fries. The kids get Popsicles after their race and I'm thinking a few people have extra brews in their coolers if you forget yours. 

Come down and watch us all suffer for 20-30 minutes racing our bikes through the woods at Eva Bandman. It's free and a great family oriented time.

Peace

The others left before our podium. :-(

May 26, 2015

Today is Violet's two month birthday. Her momma posted photos and video of her smiling and laughing. She doesn't make a laughing sound yet, but her smile moves her entire body like a belly laugh does. Yes, this Gran is very proud and much in love. Truly I wish I could see her each and every day.

Went to Mom's after work to fill her medicine planner and visit a bit. She was at supper when I arrived. The 3 or 4 men that live there all sit together at meals. Seems Georgie wanted to sit with on of these lads, but was shown a different table. One of the staff tells me later that she's had a shine on this one and says he is her husband. This happens with dementia. She never called me by name today. However, when I left the table to get more sweet tea I overheard her tell the ladies at her table that I am her oldest daughter.  She needed her hair washed and I spoke with one of the staff. Seems she isn't very agreeable to having her hair done. Once supper was done I told her she had a hair appointment. It didn't take too much convincing and she was so happy to have her head scrubbed and massaged. Her hair is as long or longer than mine.

My biggest wish is for all of us to all be together and have a photo made; Violet, Heather, Amber, Georgie and me. Mom's not met her yet and she won't remember, but I want her to see her great-granddaughter. 

I miss my Mom. So many times a week I want to call and talk with her, tell her something that's happening. Those days are gone. But I have wonderful memories.

Family and friends are such wonderful treasures. I'm very grateful for mine.

Happy (two month) birthday, Miss Violet!!!

   

Memorial Day Weekend '15

Been having wanderlust for months but wanted to be close with grandbaby #1 on the way. She came end of March. 

Weather and life has prevented me from seriously gettng any fitness. First foot injury then wet trails and more flare-ups blah blah blah. 

Drove to Pisgah hoping to camp at Davidson River but they were full to the brim Friday evenin. So I found an almost empty parking lot and have stayed there this weekend, when I'm not doing other things. 

Went up Star Gap and half of Heartbreak ridge yesterday. Coming back down was fun but scary in a couple places. 

Today I rode up Thrift Cove to Black Mountain and then up Black Mtn to almost Pressley Gap. 2+ hours to push my bike with some riding. Then ~18 minutes to ride down! 

My bike and I have hiked quite a bit this weekend. I did achieve a couple of PRs which is Alway nice. 

Unsure about tomorrow as another flareup has been looming since Thursday. 

I have missed spending time with nature and this weekend has helped and healed some. Last fall and winter was hard for me in very many ways. I am grateful for all of it and ready for this next period of time. 

I sincerely hope everyone has had good happy times. 

Peace and love 

One way my mind has changed

I used to think hate should be eradicated from all of our lives. But after living and learning and realizing more and more this would never work. There is a balance. Some call it yin/yang. We must have dark to have light, sadness for happiness, hate in order for love to exist. Do I wish there was someway? Of course, but that is my ego. 

I witness hate day in and day out. People making fun of others, calling names and worse. I am not free from this. Even though I do not hate any person or persons I know I get angry and hate situations and even some of my own feelings about things.

Today is a day like any other for many. For some it is a day for love and forgiveness. I wish all days were days for love and forgiveness. 

much love to you and much peace.

So close to Spring we can almost taste it!

Hahaha! A few glorious days and almost everyone is smiling. What a pleasant change it is from all the frowning and whining and complaining these last weeks. 

I rode my bicycle today. Outside. Wearing regular bike shoes (not boots) and shorts and 3/4 length sleeves. Last I rode my bike was on the trainer on Feb 21 and last I rode outside was Feb 4th. Since injuring my foot I haven't done much at all except for hot yoga Sunday before last. The foot has to heal. Today was a test. Easy peasy ride, though I'm wheezing like I raced Cyclocross. I'm hoping that I make it through the night with no aches. Last week has seen it hurting like a bad toothache. Enough about that. Life has it's way. I truly wanted to race the Mini. If the foot seems ok maybe I'll settle for run/walking with mostly walk. Else I will give my entry to someone that really wants to race it but can't afford the entry fee.

While riding today I thought of all kinds of things. Too many serious thoughts. Each time I began to complain in my head about the thoughtless driver or clueless walkers on Big 4 or all of the people with so much perfume/cologne on I corrected myself. Turned those thoughts around. I don't know what is going on with the driver that did ....   The people out walking I cheered. They were outside soaking in rays and fresh air! People want to be attractive and smell nice (I'm sure I've overdone the perfume a time or two). These are just a few examples. It's so easy to criticize. It's so easy to complain.

Life is short. Yesterday I was reminded of the few days I have left. If I live to my 80th birthday I have about 8,500 days left.  Sorry, but that doesn't sound like many to me. So I have lots to contemplate. My mother is deteriorating more than I want to admit. I have some lapses of short term memory. I think I always have and make excuses like I'm just not present or mindful. While I hope that is the case I wonder if I will end up like my Mom and my Aunt Jewell. So I think about these things and think I need to try and plan ahead. It makes me sad that Mom won't really know Violet when she arrives. So much ( a whole damned lot) is out of our control. 

So I go back to Love being the answer. Love your friends. Love those that may not love you. Love those angry about things that probably never happened. Love yourself and be gentle with yourself. You are a beautiful being and deserve so much in this life. Love your critics. Love your enemies, if they exist. 

Well, that's all I have for now. 

peace and love to each and everyone of you 
  

Cycle of life

My Aunt Charlene was celebrated today. It truly was a celebration and not all of the bible thumping that usually happens. So many people shared memories and stories. She always said I should've been her daughter as I favored her complexion etc. I could only hope to live up to her funny and optimistic outlook on life. As my remaining days grow shorter and as I contemplate this life I've lived I am mostly happy with how it's gone so far. Can't say it's been perfect, but that would be boring. Definitely have made many mistakes along the way, but that's why I'm here. We are here to learn and grow, correct? 

When I die I can only hope that family and friends stand up and share such nice and wonderful memories as everyone did today.

A photo of Charlene: 

Mom is a little bit older than Aunt Charlene. I know her days are numbered. It is sad to see a generation leave. abut this is life and a new generation is being born and ready to fill our shoes. 

So much left to think and ponder on. Excited for my first grandchild to arrive. It won't be long now. A photo of my Heather from Sunday evening. Violet is almost ready to make an appearance. 

Much love to my cousins. Peace and love to all of you. 

damned ego

I want so badly to tell it like it is. Call people out. Set things straight. But that's my inferiors whispering in my ear. I should remain calm and quiet and let things happen as they will. I should not concern myself with what people say or how they feel about me.

The last few weeks have been happy. Putting the ego aside and just enjoying the current moments. Those moments aren't all easy. Sometimes a struggle or hard times can still be happy. Working through physical pain. Working through jealousy. 

I am almost 57 years old. Haven't been asked out on a date in well over 5 years. For a long time I wondered what is wrong with me. But that's the wrong thing to ask. Nothing wrong with me. There's just no one interested for now. That's ok.  It's like being a grandparent, not for me to decide. Sometimes just realizing that makes it easier to swallow.

I called Mom today. I miss talking with her everyday. But she has a terrible time understanding some words or phrases. It's not a real conversation at all anymore. She seems to be content, happy most times. 

Violet should be arriving within the month now. I'm so anxious to meet her. See her face and hold her close. All in good time.

I hope everyone is making the best of this winter. It finally arrived in Louisville. February is notorious for being the harshest month. Sure does make Springtime all the sweeter.

peace.