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.

On training, friends, good intentions, hunger and random run-ins.

mmm...
Girl Scout cookies are in. And I seem to have a tape worm. It might be the training though.

Cause it's in full effect.

I wish I'd remembered to take my camera for any of the adventures of the weekend, but well, i failed at that. Big time. I didn't even get phone camera shots. Excpet of me on the trainer. And that's not very exciting.

I opted out of the Frosty 14. A foot of snow on technical trails an hour from home in 30 degree weather just didn't get me too revved up. (Judi did it though and won hardware - Way to go, girl!) Instead, I headed out on the roads with a new playlist on my iPod and my water bottle in need of hills.

I headed across the bridge, into Ohio, and up through the ghetto and into some nicer areas. And that's where I got lost. But I was so so thrilled to be out on this long run and feeling good that I didn't really mind. Finished with 17 miles at sub-8 pace and a goofy smile spattered across my face.

A quick shower and a drive up to hang with friends, training buddies, teammates and fellow triathletes at the Wheelie Fun sale. Tried on a bunch of sponsorship gear and got the final design for our team kits for road racing. Tri suits are yet to come.

And then home to spin for a bit before meeting a friend for some 9-ball, nachos and a beer or two. Crazy. I was out 'til 10. Way past my bed time.

Sunday, it was like 45 degrees. So a few of us celebrated with a 60 mile ride. It was fabulous. Lots of hills. Lots of lactic acid.

Today, I was supposed to meet my buddy for an early morning swim. But I just couldn't drag my ass out of bed at 5am to meet him knowing I have to do it two more days this week for Masters. So, I went to the gym to lift and swim at lunch. I ran into the s.o. of (one of) my ex's best friend. She went on about how great I look. I gained some sick satisfaction in knowing that the info will get back to him.

Hope your weekends were just as grand. I'll be back later with pictures. I've got to get the camera back into rotation.

the hilarity of cold rides, a racing team, and MORE snow

As previously stated, there was a plan to meet my buddy for an outside ride on Saturday, when high temps were to reach 28 degrees. We were supposed to meet at 10am. I got a text around 9 saying we should push it back to 10:30 to see if it warms up any. hahahaha. Like a half hour was going to make a difference. I was honestly questioning our sanity, and was thinking a 3 hour trainer ride would suffice. BUT, i told him that if he was going, I was along for the adventure.

After bundling up in two pair of tights, a nice warm cycling jacket, wool socks, shoe covers and thick gloves, we were off. The sun was shining and after a half hour, the cold wasn't that bad, surprisingly. As we're heading up the first (of very very many) hills, he tells me of the conversation between he and his wife that morning, which had me laughing so hard I could hardly catch my breath. He told her he was going out riding. She called him a retard. And he said "She's usually right, but she let's me do what I want."

Then came the debate about Cadbury cream eggs. I LOVE them. Seriously. I could eat like 10 of them. He recounts a tale of a conversation he'd had just nights before about how his friend has only one fault with his wife "she fucking love those things. they're like chocolate covered snot". the descriptions only got better from there.

After two hours, I started to get cold. And whiney. But we hammered out another hour. And then busted out our 30 min run.

I proceeded to go home, eat and nap. Which would be a theme for the weekend.

Sunday morning was the scheduled Splash 'n' Dash, a 1k swim indoors followed by a 5k run outside. Driving up to Kettering, my car read as low as 5 degrees. And it ended up on 11. Coach had started a bunch of smack talk between those of us on the team, specifically pitting us girls against the guys. The focus was on the swim. And I'm happy to report that I spanked all but coach (and fellow teammate, Missy, but she's unnaturally fast and i don't even consider her in competition in the water) in the pool.

Our team made a great showing.the 7 of us that showed took 3rd, 6th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 13th and 16th overall. (there were no age group breakouts) We also got sample sizes for new unis! After an additional 40 min run, we gathered to discuss swim technique and drills to work on.

And then I headed home, where I ate and took another nap.

And then got up for an hour spin while finishing up Food, inc. before heading to the grocery....where I spurged on all organics. Seriously, WATCH the movie. I don't know how anyone could watch and not be affected.

Luckily, today is President's Day. No work. And no fighting snow covered streets. because we got another few inches overnight. UGH!!! And we're supposed to have a few more by end of day. And just after Clubber went potty outside twice yesterday...