Well, it has been nine months since I've blogged. Holy cow. I am such a total slacker. Not that anyone ever reads it, but I really should keep updates going just for journaling benefits.
December: Corgan turned the big FIVE!!! He is getting so freaking big and starts Kindergarten next week. He says he doesn't want to go to his new school and make new friends. He was with Ms. Ray at Ann Windle for two and a half years and is going to really miss his little buddies there. It makes me tear up every single time he talks about it!
January: I went on my first bike ride on the road with my friend Amy. Since I've been teaching cycle classes at the LA Fitness for almost a year it was decided I needed to quit being a poser and get my butt on a real bike. The very next day I went to Bicycles Plus and bought my first bike!!! I am in LOVE!!!! I have found my new passion in life and am really enjoying this newfound freedom I feel from riding.
February: Caiden turned 3. He is such a character and free spirit... (i.e. Pain in The A!@). Seriously, Caiden is an extremely stubborn and opinionated child and is such a fun boy to be around!!! He is always pretending he is some character, whether it be Charlie Brown, Spider Man, Master Chief from Halo, Batman, Luigi or Iron Man. He has such an incredible imagination!!! I just love him!!!!
I was also laid off from my position of Activities Coordinator at LA Fitness. I actually got a call from my boss and she offered me a new position where there would be only three a.d.'s for the entire metroplex area. I'd be over twelve clubs and have to put in 25 hours a week at the gym, not including my classes. No benefits, no raise, no WAY!!!! I politely declined and was officially relieved of my managing duties. One of the BEST things that has ever happened to me! The stress relief alone was worth the loss of income. Don't regret the experience, but sure don't miss the drama.
March: First official Road Rally! I went up to Muenster, Texas for my first official road rally this month... 60 miles of wind and hills. It was such a rush! I reached my all time high on my bike, hitting 44.4 mph on a downhill run. WEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
April & May: Kept teaching my ten plus classes a week at the gym, riding whenever I got a chance!
June: My baby boy graduated from his class at Ann Windle School for Young Children! The children wore cap and gown and marched out to the Pomp and Circumstance Song. I cried.
Travis FINALLY graduated college!!!! We are thrilled to have a college graduate in our household. Four years and lots of stress. I am so very very proud of him!!!!
Second Road Rally out of the way at the Collin Classic. Nearly 70 miles of humidity. I also joined a cycle team based in Plano, the Plano Athletic Cycling Club (PACC). This is a great group of dedicated racers that just enjoy the sport! It has been such an experience training with these awesome people!!! And, I feel so totally legit in my team kit. And everyone knows, the clothes make the man, or, the cyclist. :)
July: Summer is getting so freaking hot, but training still continues. In fact, I am even more motivated than usual. My four year old niece, Emily, has been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and I pledged to raise $1000 toward finding a cure for diabetes and agreed to ride 100 miles on July 24th. Can you say CRAZY???? It was actually one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. So many members at the gym donated their hard earned cash to get me ABOVE my original goal. I rode 102 miles in the blazing hot Texas sun and had an amazing time.
August: Summer is almost over and it is getting so freaking hot. I had my first official race this past weekend in San Antonio with three other PACC chicks. We competed in the State Time Trial Championships in Floresville, Texas. Saturday was the Individual Time Trial and Sunday was the Team TT. Saturday I had my trash kicked and placed 14 out of 21. Sunday I had my racing legs on and competed with my team, placing 2nd in the State for the Team Time Trial!!! We kicked booty!!! And missed bringing home the gold by a mere 16 seconds. SO CLOSE!!! But, I have only been riding my bike since the 31st of January, so I feel pretty decent about the end result. :) 25 miles ridden in 1 hour, 4 mins, with an average speed of 22.59 miles per hour. Considering the fact that my previous personal best was 20.5, I'd say this was an improvement. Hardest thing I have ever done in my life, and that includes childbirth. At least you can ask for drugs during labor!!!
What's up next? Well, next week the boys go back to school and I go back to training. My first road race is this next weekend, Hotter than Hell in Wichita Falls, Texas. 60 miles of flat roads and hot temps. Doesn't that sound fabulous???
Yup. I'm a dork. I mean, seriously... How can you make a helmet look cool? Can't be done. 
I love my boys.... Even if Caiden has become... "that" kid. The one you see coming and you want to run screaming in the other direction. Sigh. 
