Another home for the holidays....

The Holiday season has passed in a flash until the last couple days! It started with the hectic trip to Providence, RI for my first collegiate CX national event (fun by the way). Upon arrival I was lucky enough to only have one of my bags left in Chicago for United to call me in the middle of the night wanting to deliver. I say not...wait til the AM!

I can also say I was lucky to even be able to fly back in b/c two days after I returned CO was hit by "The Blizzard of 06." I went for a nice jog in the flurries the morning of Wednesday the 20th and I could tell the wind blowing in my face was a bit more brisk than I remembered, but by 9 AM at the OTC, we had a mass e-mail closing the place down at 10 AM. Before I knew it I was getting reports from family across all the way across the country that CO was in a state of emergency putting up shelters for those stranded at work, etc due to the closing of many major highways, like I-25 being closed from WY to NM. I didn't realize that Denver was being hit so bad unitl I flew out of Denver International Airport on Christmas day and had to practically drive my car over a snowplow bank to park (which ultimately means it is stuck and hopefully the snow melts by the time we fly back).

Anyways, Heather and I are lucky to be in Penn Yan, NY now visiting her family post-Christmas for the holidays b/c for one, finding flights here was one hassle and two the 4 thousand stranded people in DIA due to the snow during last week. Spending time in Penn Yan and with the Eno's is really nice! It really lets me get away from the traffic, hustle, and ultimately the city for a bit. I really miss having the calm country life that I grew up with sometimes. Oh well I can see the city being temporary while I continue with USA Cycling and while Heather finishes her professional degree. Maybe I can talk USAC into allowing me to work from a home office in a nearby mtn town and come in when needed. Yeah that would be nice!!!

It is going to be tough to leave, especially since we had our minds set on taking a prize pup back with us to CO and we couldn't get a cargo flight back for the dog b/c of the extreme colds on both ends of the trip. Oh well, we'll find a way to get Buck back with us in the coming months. Luckily Heather and I took him hiking down to Keuka Lake yesterday checking out some waterfalls and such on her parents land. And I found out this morning that Buck will be a great running partner as he trotted along about 20 yards ahead of me for a 3 miler and I only had to leash him on the main road just to make sure he didn't get into the non-existent traffic.

Well hopefully this will post since I am on dial-up that takes forrrrrevvvvvver!

Off to Rhode Island,

Add another state to the list that I have not visited yet. I am jetting to Providence for the weekend to attend CX nationals. I am hoping to be able to race the final race on Sunday for kicks since I spent hours on end last night cleaning, installing new brake pads, and packing my bike. I should since we have 12 USAC staff in attendance. Looking forward to a CX Nationals event as well. I am really beginning to love this discipline due to the sheer effort that is proven. No room for wimps in CX. Well need to wrap up some details for the trip, so out for now!

Hustle and bustle.....

Since the last entry much has come to pass. I had a blast in NorCal and saw something that I never thought would be so well developed in high schools. I am excited to see the enthusiasm that I have in others that are working so hard to grow cycling.

Upon return, it was nothing but hit the ground running with the new job...which I love by the way! It is allowing me to be so creative and open with what I think will benefit the sport of collegiate cycling. I love being able to do this since I have the perspective of a collegiate cyclist, a collegiate program founder, and now (hopefully) a mature professional in the cycling field.

I have now taken up residence in Colorado Springs, so upon waking in the morning I find myself seeing the amber waves shimmering off the crest of Pikes Peak. Not toooo shabby, if I do say! I unfortunately haven't been riding much since taking the new job since we have had some pretty good little snow falls that keep the roads pretty wet when it is warm and melting and slick as snot on a doorknob when it is cool and frozen. Oh well hard to focus on riding and training when I am really trying to get settled, unpacked, spend time with Heather (b/n her crazy semester end and final clients), and keep up with finalizing things with work.

It will come around as I am planning on putting some effort into maybe running a half or full marathon next year. I have a training plan mapped out, so all I need is a race to focus on. Don't really know yet. I am still looking forward to the challenge of trying to work a cycling industry job that requires me to be at events while still racing myself. I keep hearing people say that you will give up before long and little do they know that it only fuels my fire more to stay on top.

Although, I am not on top now based on my previous performances, but it is winter and I put forth zero effort training for CX, so why should I be killing it. I did have a highlight from last weekends cx race in Morrison of jumping my first barrier. Against all that I know and would recommend to others of practice first...I decided to jump an uphill barrier, in the snow, after a corner, and yes without ever attempting before in my life. Result..... success! From then on no more mud in the cleats from that running section.

Now I am getting set to head to Providence, RI for CX national championships. This is my first collegiate national event that I will attend in my position and I have taken the opportunity to set up a banquet for juniors to attend with several collegiate coaches and team presidents. Hopefully all will proceed smoothly and juniors and parents attend.

Anyways, posting weekly at least was one of my motivational goals, so duty done for now. Update to come during the travels to CX nats next week!