bags are packed!

It never ceases to amaze me that when I open my heart to forgive and let go that amazing things begin to occur in my life. This past week goes down as one of the most fun and unforgettable. And I have a feeling things are only going to get better. And it just so happens to follow a point in time when I finally decided to FULLY let go of the anger and bitterness and pity party and embrace the wonderful things in my life, ya know, to stop blocking the doorway of letting new things in...

It all started last week with the beginning of off-season. I felt a huge weight lifted with the lack of a plan and taking a couple days off and then hitting the trails for some fun, relaxed runs.

And then I began the search for my dream job. I'm looking outside of Cincy. never have I had this opportunity. And I'm not holding back. I'm going for something I REALLY want to do, rather than taking a job because it pays and has health insurance.

And Friday, I went and watched some Cyclocross at the UCI3 Festival at Devou Park to see some friends and watch some crazy racing. I took a break to have lunch with an old coworker, which was fabulous. And then I spent some quality time with my step mom.

Saturday was just a day at work, but we started re-habbing the shop, so we're painting and tearing down slatwall and redecorating, which is sooo fun. And then off to the E2 team party. I got to spend some time with my amazing race team. I saw teammates I haven't had the opportunity to spend time with in a long time because I've been all over the place and we had different race schedules. There were massive amounts of great food, conversation, lots of laughs and some IM World Champs watching.

Sunday, I made the short trek over to Day 3 of the CX festival for more fun and hanging out with teammates and friends after beginning my day with a run on the trails as the sun rose.

And yesterday, I got back on the bike for the first time since Nationals, thanks to Mr. Parbo, who is in town for a few days...and to the fact that I work at a bike shop and have not-so-normal work hours (and therefore the opportunity to ride for hours during the day with a hot Danish cyclist. ha.)

And now, the reason my bags are packed...I'm heading toward Toronto tomorrow to join a buddy to a same sex marriage. How can that not be fun?? We're making an adventure of it and making a couple stops to enjoy the tastes of some breweries on the way too. Bags are packed and the passport is waiting... Pictures are sure to come soon.

First time for everything!

I won my very first race on Saturday. I've come in second in a lot of races. But this was my first win. 

It was a small field, just 174 runners. A 10 mile trail race at John Bryan State Park in Yellow Springs, OH. And it was cold. All of 22 degrees.

My feet were numb for the first three miles. That's pretty miserable when attempting to not kill yourself while running through rocks and ice... I'd opted to NOT warm up since I was told the first few miles are very technical. I figured I could use that as a warm-up. Plus, I wasn't willing to get rid of any layers any earlier than I had to.

I stayed with Coach and his daughter and a couple guys I train with for the first couple miles. Then we hit an opening after an uphill and I decided to take the opportunity to go ahead and move at a faster pace.

I saw a guy in blue ahead and focused on him. Pretty soon, there was a line of four of us with Blue Boy pacing us in the lead. The guy behind me sounded like he was about to lose a lung and I wanted to tell him to ease up, but who am I to tell some dude I don't know that his breathing was frightening me?

At a about the half way mark, we exited the woods and hit some grass where there was a picnic table with jugs of water and Gatorade. I opted for the Gatorade and went on my way...again behind Blue. But we'd picked up another runner. Another mile and I decided to make another move and pass the two guys in front of me. The new guy tagged along, but I dropped him pretty soon too.

There were volunteers out on the course at random spots and one yelled "Shoot it in. You're almost there". I figured this meant we had a mile or less. Um, wrong. I guess he was just trying to be nice. Or encouraging. But he was completely misleading. I kept seeing a woman ahead of me. Through the switchbacks, I'd catch a glimpse of her orange fleece. I just focused on my footing and not burning myself out.

A couple miles later, I was right on her tail as we came to a widening in the trail. I figured we had to be close to the finish, so I picked up the pace again and passed her just before we came out of the woods again and into the grass, about a half mile from the finish.

Finish time was 1:20:11. And when I crossed the line, they told me I was first female! I hadn't even known. I got a ribbon. And two cookies.

I dropped off Tom, who had joined me for the trek up to Dayton, went home and thawed out and watched Funny People with Clubber. Good movie. I laughed out loud a couple times. And it really made me think about some things. I was feeling pretty nauseas and figured it was just from the cold, so I took it easy the rest of the day and stayed warm so I could get up and go to Judi's cross race with her in the morning.

She picked me up at 6:30am and we headed down to Louisville. Again, very cold outside. I was happy to make the trip. And even happier it wasn't me racing this time. Sometimes, it's just really nice to be the one cheering and taking pictures.

Doesn't it even look cold?? EEk!

The course looked fun. And Judi did great! Check out her RR here.

After a long hot shower and warming up again upon arriving back home, the nausea set in again. And it was suggested that I treat myself to a day of rest. So that's what I did. And today we have snow!!! So, if I can kick the nausea, I'll be making the trip home in my tights and running shoes!

weekend pics

going up a hill on Saturday morning ride...the leaves are already changing!

um, i was kinda lost.

but i smiling the whole time!

and then i got rained on during my run

and went to watch Judi race in the rain

She and Suzanne were all smiles!

and all dirty!