100!

This is post one hundred. My progress journeying to this point has been immense. My intention for this blog starting out was for those far from me to follow along as I journeyed to Ironman Switzerland. There is something about putting it out there that helps. You can have a dream, but when you say it, it is more real. My goal became a reality from one person emailing me and saying "isn't this on your to-do list?" It was and that was all I needed, to say it out loud. Setting out and accomplishing something so incredible with the help of those supporting me has meant so much to me. I've meant amazing people along the way and hold them near and dear to me. I've opened new doors for myself and am excited to try and go through them and see what lies on the other side in this life. Life is thrilling and I'm happy to be continuing this journey. For now, I'm gonna keep on rollin' and I hope you continue to follow along.

climb every mountain

I decided to ride with the big dogs on their Tuesday night ride to add some variety to my riding. I've been mostly going out Great Northern on my weekday rides and I needed some spice. Well, spice they did add. The whole time they needled me about how I "might like a bigger cassette to get up the hills we were going to ride on." My mind immediately started conjuring up large mountains, switch-backing, stand peddling my way up, and praying I didn't fall over. It seems as usual my imagination got the better of me. We talked at the bottom of lost creek and they assured me I would be fine, I was. I slayed the Lost Creek dragon, it was much easier than I thought, I wasn't too far behind, and had lots of juice left at the finish. It wasn't easy, but oh so much more doable than I had envisioned. It just goes to show you, that you shouldn't let your imagination run too wild and go for it. It did wonders not just to strengthen my legs but to my add confidence to my climbing ability when I ride.

The Scott as Celebrity

"Did you ride Pedal Through the Pines?" one of them asks. "Yes" I say wondering how they knew this. "I recognized your bike." He smiles back. Small world, I think still amazed my bike was that memorable.

Branching out

I saw this branch from a pruning sitting on a curb waiting for the
trash man. I thought it deserved a second chance and ran home with it
the last couple of miles.

The Scott after a good days work

chickenhawk

In my eagerness to let off steam from my Sunday biking debacle I neglected to convey the beautiful run I had on Saturday. One of the great joys I had when I would run in New York was seeing the hawks in Prospect Park and Central Park while I was running. Wildlife in Texas is a bit more prevalent and I frequently see hawks up on the lampposts overseeing the goings on of Mopac. This Saturday as I was running down Shoal Creek a hawk flew right in front of me swooped down to the grass and then quickly flew back up and into the trees again. I've NEVER had a hawk get so close to me, he was gorgeous and amazing. I've always admired there strong grace, . Here's a picture of the Scott as I drag myself to work, wishing I was able to get on and pedal away instead. I consoled myself in the fact that we had a date to ride later in the day.

Let me out!

This was the Scott as we waited for the guys of Austin Bikes to show up for the 9 AM group ride. This was also the Scott as we drove home from the group ride because nobody came and I figured if I was going to ride by myself I'd rather go later when it was warmer. Neither one of these freebirds likes to be locked up in a car staring at a barbed wire fence when it is early in the morning and COLD. It took me awhile to get over, but I made it out for a late afternoon ride on my own when the weather was much more pleasant and my mood had improved, the ride itself helped improve my mood as did going by the kite festival. I rode the 360 loop and felt really good on the hills. I latched onto a rider starting out and he said I could ride with him as he was going around 45 miles and that is about what I wanted to do. At the beginning I thought I would have trouble keeping up with him especially since he said he wanted to do the Tour de Hugel and hills are my weakness. When I passed him going up our first hill I knew I was a bit stronger. I waited after each climb because I felt like I said we could ride together, but ended up losing him around Mopac (I waited for a good while at the top of a hill), hmm I hope he is okay, well I guess it just wasn't a good day for group riding, but I felt good out there on the Scott and had fun taking a lap around Great Northern oh and had fun catching and passing the guy on the bike who jetted out in front of me at the light - the Scott is amazing. Do you think that maybe I'm a wee bit competitive? I know if I rode with the shop guys I would have been spanked so ...