Nittany CX

Ten months. I waited ten months to write this post. Cyclocross season is finally here!

I took some time off from structured training after Crossasuarus Awesome. When January rolled around I was back at it, forever changed. Riding on the road was ok, but it wasn't cross. As the months went on I found myself less interested in road racing. The workouts became more about maintaining fitness for CX Season.  

My first race of the 2013 season was Nittany Cross on Sunday September 8th. There were 47 women in my race (Cat 3/4 Women). It was the largest field I've been in so far. 

The course was mostly flat. We dismounted twice, once for a log and another for a set of barriers. After a rooty, winding section in the woods there was a long straightway, which was my favorite part of the course...hammer time!

The race started fast and stayed fast. I learned a valuable lesson last season about the importance of the first lap. I did my best to hold my position through the first two laps, then went to work, picking off riders. When it comes to racing cross, my strength is the ability to endure suffering. My weakness is choosing the right lines, which is one area I'm looking to improve upon this year.

I crossed the line in 13th place. Lucky 13! I can only hope that it is foreshadowing...if so, it should be a good season. 

My post race beer selection was a Pumpkin Ale from Iron Hill Brewery. Definitely not my favorite offering from Iron Hill. Definitely not my favorite Pumpkin Beer, but I was able to force down two pints.

I'm baaaaaaack...

I deactivated my Facebook account on August 14th. I wanted to spend the final days of summer free from the tether of social media. 

No more than an hour later, I received a text from a friend asking me where my Facebook page had gone. 

There was nothing wrong with me. I didn't need to talk to anyone. I wasn't made at you. I didn't delete you. I didn't block you. I simply deactivated my account for a few weeks. 

Since then, my mornings have been much more productive. I read the news while having coffee or type an email to one of my friends from out of state or I write or I go to the gym or I ride my bike...and I don't miss Facebook nearly as much as I thought I would. In fact, I kinda forgot all about it until someone asks me if I saw a post on a mutual friend's page...and then they quickly remember I'm not on Facebook.

For better or worse, I am back...mostly, because people these days seem to be incapable of communicating outside the realm of social media. 

The Canine Factor

Most days, I think that dogs are better than humans.

Fact, I am more likely to say "hello" to someone on the street if they are walking a dog. Fact, I am more likely to toss my spare change to someone who asks for it if they have a dog by their side. 

From time to time I'll come across a news article that reinforces this belief. The most recent was about a barking dog found in a ravine who stayed there to nurse an abandoned kitten.

Stories like this make me pause and give thought about being more kind to everyone I encounter.

remarkable

I received a letter in the mail yesterday. There was no return address. The postmark was "Philadelphia."

I opened it to find my tattered insurance card, along with a note indicating that it had been found in South Philadelphia.

Last Sunday I was driving my Jeep on I-95 by the airport and the card flew out. It traveled at least 6.5 miles from that spot to where it was found. Pretty impressive...and even more impressive that someone had the courtesy to return it.

what if...

It's the point where you don't let your past to dictate your future. It's the point where you learn from your mistakes and refuse to allow them to impede your growth. 

Lately, I've been asking myself the question "what if?"

I've been walking a thin line. It's a neutral line. On the left is my past. On the right is my future. At times I lose my balance and tip to one side.

What I've found is that focusing on one spot helps me stay upright.

There are too many "what ifs" in my life right now. It makes me feel uneasy, but I think that in order to become a better person I need to embrace it. Life is bound to have some bumps in the road so for now I've decided to buckle myself in and enjoy the ride.

guilty pleasure

"Chick Radio" is linked to artists like Kelly Clarkson, Colbie Callie, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift. Yesterday, tracks from the Deluxe Edition of "Red" (found exclusively at Target) were popular on this station. So, last night, I was combing the aisles of Target looking for it. The additional songs were totally worth the drive to purchased the CD.


Pandora is in cahoots with Target. 

our last goodbye

on a more personal note... 

We walked the same path for nearly a year until coming upon fork in the road. Her hopes and dreams would take her in a direction that was different than mine. Unrequited love is painful. It is more complicated and just as hurtful when two people who are still in love are forced to part ways.

if you had the choice of knowing...

We spent the day together. We played. We laughed. We ignored the obvious. It was dark and the roads were quiet. I drove home in silence and thought about our last goodbye.