Apparently I have people who are actually reading this blog so I feel bad that I have not posted in over a week, but I did not take my laptop with me on spring break. Now it's time to catch up!
We went to St. Louis for spring break and it was a great week. JP got to see his grandparents for the first time since Thanksgiving and he had a great time. We got in saturday night and the spoiling began right away as he had new clothes and toys waiting for him. Of course he spent the whole trip showing off and flirting.
On sunday I did the Great Forest Park Bike Race. I knew my training was not up to snuff, so my goal was simply for a pack finish. I got a decent warm up in and the weather was good for mid March. There was a light wind, and I wore long sleeve jersey, light long sleeve base, cycling cap, long finger light gloves, bibs, leg warmers and show covers. I could have lost the shoe covers and leg warmers and probably had a short sleeve base layer. I did not get to preview the course so I line up in the third row on the outside. I figured I would rather be outside then get squeezed on a curve I know nothing about. The gun went and the four guys in front of me promptly took forever to get off the line and clip in. The guy in front and too the side could not clip and swerved towards me. My first thought was "great, I am going to crash at three miles an hour barely over the start line." I made it past the swerving guy but was already off the back...with about 20 of the 60+ riders in the race! Amazing how a few guys can screw up over a quarter of the field right at the start.
I got in a group that was riding hard and the main pack was only about 25 yards ahead, so I knew we would get back on if we worked together. You know how this went before I even write it. Sure enough one guy goes to the front and pulls for a full lap (about a mile) then drops off and barges in to the second position, the next guy does the same thing. This happens with the two of them for about four laps and the pack keeps moving away. Finally I start yelling instructions to get a good pace line going (not angry just trying to sort things out) and only one guy responds and he simply yells to me to go to the front, so I hammer to the front and take bout a quarter mile pull at nearly full gas. (according to my garmin I was going 27 for the full pull). I then flick my elbow, move over and...the whole line moves behind me. (They really should have all riders take a Bike Racing 101 course before racing) So I move over and wave my hand and the next guy comes through...alright, here we go! Unfortunately it turns into three of us working when the two guys from early in the pace line aren't trying to turn it into a two man, biggest package display. At that point I knew we were cooked and was simply riding hard trying to not get lapped. About five laps from the finish the pack was coming hard and we were working to stay ahead when I see a shadow inside me about 100 yards from a turn. Some young guy decided the smart move was to come up the inside near a corner. In m younger racing lives I would have squeezed him out letting him know to either slow down and get a good line or eat the curb. Now I am older and not bullet proof so I simply let him try to kill everyone else. (Bike racing 101 class for that idiot). One lap later we get caught by the pack. I decided to use the last three laps as a cool down but some guys in my group decided to latch on, one of whom decided the best move to stay on was to dive across my front wheel into the curve, missing me by about 6 inches. (Bike racing 101). I ended up finishing 52 out of 64, but did the last three laps talking with another racer. I was surprised by my fitness, but ticked that despite being at the front at the start I got screwed. All in all it was a well run race in a great venue.
After the race we went to the St. Louis Zoo. What a great zoo and it is free! JP loves the penguins, he can't get enough of them!
The rest of spring break was spent doing St. Louis food we love, relaxing and some more bike riding. I did a 40 mile ride through the hills around Chesterfield Valley and it hurt! Col spent that time working at Barnes & Noble while JP was having Grandma Donna day.
The week went pretty fast and the weather did as well. On tuesday I did the long ride in shorts sleeve jersey and bibshorts and on friday it was sleeting! At least we let a few hours before the snowstorm!
Thursday night we went to the Blues game. They dominated and won 4-0. The game had it all, great goals, great passing, great action, hitting, three fights and great saves. JP loved it and loved showing off for the women behind us. He has become a true hockey fan, saying "Go Blues" and getting mad when I change the channel from hockey...even to switch to another game. I took him to a hockey store while we were waiting to get his hair cut and he picked out some gloves and wore them until we left the store! He loved the goalie masks and squealed with delight when I put one on him. He also loved the goalie blockers, gloves and leg pads. I better get a good job because goalies are expensive! He cheered when the Blues scored and loved the goal horn. We are so lucky to have such a great son, who can travel anywhere and do anything with a smile on his face 98% of the time
It was nice to come home to our own bed, JP's own room and bed, not feeling like we have to think about anyone else when we decide what we want to do, eat or watch, but we love St. Louis and love our family and friends there. I would love to get a job there.
On the subject of jobs I got a very unexpected call about a job in Florida that sounds like it would be pretty cool and working for a very cool company. Cross your fingers, light candles, etc. that I get a call this week for an interview. I also think I will be hearing from a company about a sales job in Chicago this week. It's really weird thinking that in a few weeks I could be living just about anywhere in the US, doing one of a number of different careers. We were hoping to win Mega Millions or Power Ball and then none of that would matter, but I have to keep looking!
Well no music thoughts, just trying to catch you up on life's doings this past week and get ready to go back to school tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment