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.

you know it's off season when...

 - you get to sleep in 'til 7 am.
 - you actually have to wait in line at the grocery store because you go during 'normal' hours
 - but that grocery bill is nearly cut in half!
 - you actually have time to walk the dog...other than as part of cool down.
 - you only have to do one load of laundry a week.
 - you only take one shower a day.
 - you get home from work and don't know what to do with your evening.
 - you get a whole new library of music.
 - you have time to cook. and clean. and spend time with friends who don't constantly swim, bike, run.
 - you actually have to watch your caffiene intake because you're no longer so tired by 8pm that it doesn't matter.
 - you finally understand why people have cable.
 - you eat whatever you want for lunch without concern of how it will affect your evening run.
 - you actually meet your friends for happy hour.
 - you're still awake when the first number on the clock turns to double digits.
 - your stripey tan lines start to fade.
 - you haven't consumed flavored syrup from a pouch in weeks!
 - and you don't panic when you see you only have three left in the pantry.
 - like the remainder of the population, your spandex is reserved for special occasions.
 - your bike is still packed in the box from your last race.
 - you don't sleep in compression tights four days a week.
 - you finally turn that spare bedroom into a walk-in closet.
 - you go out to eat and actually have food to take home.
 - you get give back a little and help at races.
 - but you still get a little twinge of race envy...