Are You Living It?

On our ride yesterday Susannah and I saw our fair share of cars with Christmas trees on top (like the one above) I’m sorry but by the time Christmas Day comes around these poor lil’ trees are probably going to be brown or the needles not able to hold a candy cane… some peeps just RUSH the holidays too much! My neighbors have their entire house lit up and decked out in EVERY tacky Christmas decoration you could ever imagine, and some I would consider a nightmare if you did…
No, I’m not the “Grinch” but come on, let’s slow down and let the Thanksgiving Turkey digest before we leap on the back of Rudolph.

It was a treat to slow down and enjoy a quiet Thanksgiving Day with family. Trudy and I went over to Lakeview Oregon to unwind and visit Dad. I took a walk across the valley and looked over the ranch. A couple coyotes were out looking for gophers and mice, the cattle were laying in the morning sun. A quiet and peaceful morning without any noise of traffic, people, dogs, or doors. Nothing but the sound of a breeze in the grass and trees. It was a reminder that no matter how hectic it gets, there is always a peaceful place to retreat and recharge. Ahhhh, all better now!

Last night I had a slumber party at Pat and Christi’s with the intention of going on the Rocket ride this morning. I slept super good - in until 7! A record! But we quickly discovered the wet mist and immediately changed our plans to go hike Mt. Si instead. Wise decision.

Now that was FUN! Good old, slip-sliding, muddy, watch-for-wipeouts, cold, rainy, trippy, frisky x-country.

There was no race to be had, since you had no choice really but to settle in behind whoever was in front of you on the trails, but it was a good workout nonetheless. Great atmosphere. The 1 mile fun run before with Morgan proved to be about the same competitiveness as the women’s run! (On a tricky, slippery with me nagging her to slow down, she still did it in about 10 minutes.) I’m sure it was different in the elite wave, but I was glad I was where I was, just enjoying the day and trying not to injure my decrepit old body.

A boat glides through the glassy water of the canal on its way through Lake Union and potentially headed to Lake Washington. It putters by my window - easily visible through the tree branches that have shed nearly all their leaves. The sky is dark - the clouds a solid light gray sputtering rain and creating little ripples in the water.

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I never got a chance to know Mark but he was a member of my new team and from what I’ve heard and read he was a remarkable friend, father, husband, cyclist and teammate. He will be missed so much. I hope all my dear cycling friends are safe this holiday season with the crazy traffic, please wear your helmets and be cautious.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/25/BADV14C2V3.DTL

The weekend was a blurr of mud, lost bikes, and suffering

The cross campaign is going pretty good all around.  The races in Toronto were awesome and I placed well both days, ending up on the podium with two top 5’s.  This was a good weekend for me considering that the form was weigning and the weekend was thrown together at the last minute.  Luckily, the folks that help put on the race put me up, chauffeured me around to and from the races, fed me, and showed me a little of what Toronto has to offer.  Thanks to Martin and Kevin for all of the help and Rod for organizing it (leaving out last names). You know who you are.

I teach this really amazing private yoga class twice a week. It is a large local family, and we usually have at least two generations present, and sometimes three. Everyone is at different levels, with different gifts and limitations. I’ve been working with them on and off for years now, and every class is a gift in that I am always challenged to modify poses and make them accessible to everyone and so I learn so much.

Those in the Greensboro area should consider signing up for the series of yoga classes my friend and colleague Suzanne Duncan is teaching at Off ‘N Running, the nice local running shop. It’d make a nice holiday gift to yourself or to a runner you love, and it’s a great way to start the year with a balanced body!