Latest and Greatest

Greeting all!

So there is a LOT to update on - first, the highs!

I went out and finally broke in my new road bike last week! I decided that a trip to the BWI trail was in order, as it's really long, hilly, and has great scenery when you're not on the roadways. The weather looked great, but this IS Baltimore, so naturally that was misleading.

Started out pretty well but then, not being familiar with the trail, I exited onto the BA trail, which runs I think to Annapolis, much off the route I wanted to take - uh oh! No biggie, I just remembered the cross streets that I had encountered and I figured I'd be fine getting home. What I didn't count on was Mother Nature throwing a tizzy. So I get about 4 miles into the trail when the clouds roll in and a little bit of drizzle starts coming down. I'm fine, so I keep riding. By mile 7 the skies opened up and it's torrential downpour with howling winds. That's when I decided it'd be prudent to start heading back. The next 4 miles were torture - I was pedaling into a 30-40mph headwind, the trailways were flooded, and I'm on a bike with tires thinner than my thumb. I was not comfortable. I was soaked, my riding glasses were fogged up, and damn the wind! Well I conquered this steep hill and got to the top and it's still pouring. I raise a hand to the sky (I actually did this, so feel free to picture it) and yell up to that bitch "Is that all you've got?!?" Yeah, mistake. She REALLY gets mad and the rain is now stinging the drops are so big, and the wind kicked up. So I keep pedaling.

I get to Route 100 and bike up the incline to go over and I'm gassed. Damn this incline won't quit! I make it up to the top and finally the wind dies down, the rain passes and it's actually sunny...in a matter of 5 minutes. Yeah, mid-Atlantic weather patterns! I make it back to the Observation Park where I started, encountering little in the way of memory loss on how to get back, and coast triumphantly to my car. Some fellow park-goers, huddled in their vehicles, stare wild-eyed at me as I dismount, lean the bike against my car, rip off my shirt and throw it in the air, pumping both fists and beaming from ear to ear. I did it, and I was stoked! A quick towel-off and I was good to go! Hungry, thirsty and proud of myself!

I then get a call from a recruiter from a job I'd applied to months ago- they received a second contract and need boots on the ground in Iraq ASAP. Well THAT throws a wrench in the works, doesn't it? I'm trying to raise money for LLS and do a triathlon in September, get myself into shape and whatnot, and this opportunity comes up that I really want, pays well and allows me to be overseas again! So yeah, I jumped at it. I'd put my chances of deploying at about 85%. I still need to pass the medical evaluation and weapons qualification, but aside from that, I'm ready to go!

So due to my grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary in NY last weekend (I took 3 days off training) I've had a tiny setback, but nothing too severe. Crashing my bike due to dehydration did me in on Tuesday, but today I'm swimming 80 minutes.

Now, as for LLS/TNT: I'm trying to hammer out a way to do the triathlon concurrently while in Iraq. I know some marathons and events do a similar thing for those deployed, and I'm hoping to raise awareness for LLS and continue with my fundraising commitment. The local chapter has been very understanding of my situation and helpful, and we think we've found a solution - the only problem will be fundraising, as events will be difficult. So if you're reading this and have some dollars burning a hole in your pocket...help me out! It's for a TERRIFIC cause!

Anyway, have to hit the Y to get my swim on - be well, all!