Calm Before the Storm

I wanted to ride today.

It's been a long week, and I just wanted to sneak out for a bit before the fun but tiring whirlwind day started. So I checked the radar just to be sure I could fit it in before the storms that pretty much cancelled the Michigan game yesterday hit us. I thought I'd be okay, but I just wanted to be sure.

Ugh.

It said I had a small window of opportunity, but I'd need to be back by 9am. That wasn't really what I wanted to see. It was already 7:42. I pondered. I himmed. I hawwed.

I got out and quickly pumped up the tires and put my cell phone in a baggie and told Matt, "I may be calling you from the side of the road, k? bye" and as I stood in the driveway, I heard the rolls of thunder.

Crap.

Do I go?

A guy walking his dog looked at me like I was nuts and I told him, "I'm thinking about heading out...what do you think?" He told me he saw the radar so I might be able to do "maybe six quick miles." (I was thinking maybe more like 25 quick miles, but I kept my mouth shut.) So I told him I was just going to do it, and I rolled out.

I headed west, because, you know, when a storm's coming in from the west that's the smartest thing to do.

(or not)

The sky was dark and I was sure that I was going to get absolutely nailed. I put my head down, got aero, and was determined to make it a good solid ride. If I'm going to get soaked and this is going to be nuts, then I'd better damn well make it count.

This week school started, which is busy and fun and emotionally draining and exciting and overwhelming and absolutely EXHAUSTING all at the same time. Our family went back to school this week.

And our family went back to chemo this week, too.

Another school year; another September battle. This time we know a bit more of what we're up against at least. And the will to fight never ceases to amaze me.

I rode into that storm and pushed hard on those pedals. I got out some much-needed aggression. Sometimes, even though it isn't ideal, you just have to put on the obnoxious fluorescent orange jersey, put your head down, and send yourself headfirst into a storm.

But you know the craziest thing?

The heavens never opened up. The farther I rode west, the brighter the sky got. And even now it gets me a bit choked up. I think it was someone trying to tell me something.

As bad as things may look, if you soldier on through, the sun just might come out.

And then, it's just another beautiful morning.

A New Season

Well, my triathlon season is at an end. Sad face. I had so much fun this summer even though I spent the first part of it nursing my hammy. I was very proud and happy to end on such good notes at Huntington and Lorain, and I look forward to next summer and making the local tri circuit rounds again!

I am SO EXCITED also about what is to come for Team Evotri. Partnering with Quintana Roo is already completely awesome. I can tell they are as excited about us joining the QR family as we are! I got my new CD0.1, and it is pretty amazing. I can't wait to take it out for some good fall rides, and winning my age group on it for my first race definitely made me a happy racer!

Someone else likes it, too.

My Bug is turning 4 in less than a month. It makes me really happy to see how much he values being active, and to think that Matt and I have helped to foster that in him makes us both really proud. He loves to do "exercises" and "stretches" and "ride bikes like Mommy." He also loves to watch me swim laps and thinks it's funny when I splash him on a flip turn. And he gets so excited to watch his daddy play soccer, too. (Daddy is one hell of an athlete, BTW. He just is so modest-slash-quiet that you never hear him talk about it!)

Fitting in my workouts gets tricky during the school year and usually involves me rising at some insane hour. I'm hoping to rope Ana into a run here and there before I head off to work, and definitely take the CD0.1 out on the weekends, too. And I'm definitely looking forward to mixing things up a bit here in the off-season. Maybe a 5K (I sure could use a new PR and am pretty confident I probably could do it), perhaps the Buckeye Trail Half Marathon in January (because running in 2 feet of snow = awesome), some work in the pool, and hopefully I'll even be able to fit in some group trainer rides once the weather turns nasty.

Dances With Dirt is coming up soon and let's just say my team has the BEST THEME EVER. Plus, it's a lot of my favorite running pals that I just don't get to see nearly enough. So I can't wait to head to Hell, Michigan, for some fun and crazy miles!

So the triathlons may be winding down, except for those in the warmer climes, but that doesn't mean you can't still have some fun! Sign up for something new. Dust off the speed in a shorter race--or hit a new distance in a longer one. Take your bike out for some fun rides with friends and enjoy the fall mornings (go ahead, buy yourself a sweet long-sleeved jersey or some arm warmers! You've earned it, I'm sure) Be active, and have fun.