the Jordan Slayer

4 days until the last Black Dog, and look what I found!!!
If the video isn't available above, here's the YouTube website:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJmCOxUTTyI

Too busy to blog

I've been running around on empty for so long I've failed to blog. Here's the summary:

The Hollywood Crit Series #3 was hot n fun. Since it was the last, everyone was out. I rode hard but struggled tons, finishing 7 of 10 in the women's (but 3rd if you only look at the Cat 4's). I must have completely worn myself out on the bike that day though, because it opened the flood gates to a killer cold, keeping me off the bike for the next week and a half.

That weekend, we had some adventures in home remodeling, replacing our old fridge with a new one.....little did we know the agony that would be ..... Jay had to remove the old fridge piece by piece with a hammer. The darn thing was spot welded into place! Our home was filled with dust, rust, fiberglass, and eventually freon thanks to a little "what will happen when I cut this?" Nothing like some pollutants in the air to aggrivate a cold. A couple hours later, the fridge was in pieces all over the living room, the hallway, and the lawn. Our kitchen, a war zone.... And, just as we thought we were on the home stretch, readying ourselves to put the new refridgerator in, we heard water.

There we were, 10P.M., the drain and both pipes leaking water all over the kitchen, sharp metal and rust everywhere, and no end in site. Luckily, Mean Dog need some bike love, so we got some pro-plummer action late on a Saturday night for cheap. The boys got the water to stop in time to push the new unit in, wipe up the water, and crawl wearily into bed by 1:00AM. With all the action, I was worn, weary, and sick as heck by the next morning, taking my role as Super Fan at the Campus Crit. Jay and the guys rode amazing - I wish I could have been part of the action.

The next Black Dog was pretty rough, too, being my first time back on a bike in more than a week. I definitely didn't get a new PR, but I rode as hard as my lungs and legs would let me. I ended up 1st in my Class. Jay rode a super rad 15:25! I am so proud of how well he's finishing the season. Uber-Timmer took it, again, finishing fast in first.

Next up was the Birchwood Road Race (thank you, Tracy, for putting it on!). Since Black Dog, I hadn't been back on the bike, trying desparately to kick the last of what I got out of my system for good. I was feeling pretty good though, excited to be back out riding in the hot summer sun. The course was quite the challenge and I was amoung the small handful of women that got dropped the first time up the major hill in Stillwater, about 10 miles in to our 45 mile race. I worked with OC, the PC, Jacki for the rest of the race - the winds were so strong that it was not a course you wanted to do solo for 35 miles. It was a lot of fun and the temps were high....resulting in a trio of provacative pictures on Skinnyski .....
I finished 9th of 11 women, but my greatest joy was that I finished my 30th (of 30) race this year! I may be a newb, but I love it and I just can't get enough! I might even hit 50 after CX season....that'd be amazing.

Other than that, I've just gotten a new promotion at work, keeping me in the office almost 50 hrs. a week for the last 2 weeks training my replacement and learning my new role. I am so excited for all the possibilities for my new office and position - It's quite energizing and uplifting.

Right now, we're sitting at home 1/2 upset with Mother Nature for the rain, yet 1/2 understanding how much we need it. Today is the final TTY day with 2 track events for all classes, and I wanted to unleash the fury on my super new ride! I'm hoping it lets up so we can race it this evening!

Itchin' to race,
Kristy Kreme

Grateful

I never would have thought that I would be happy to have cut a conversation short with a member of my family until last night.

I had been up in Circle Pines visiting my dad, who was helping me sell my old car. After we finished at the DMV, we returned to his house and chatted about wedding plans, life, and whatever else found its way into our thoughts. Dad and I were discussing my new car and how my plates weren't in yet when I decided to leave. He had asked me to find the number to the dealership so he could call (always a papa to me), but I told him not to worry, and that I'd call on my way home. Anyways, Jay was making dinner - to be served at 6:00 pm. It was 5:11. I never thought I'd remember each time that I looked at the clock last night....

I jumped in my new Cruck, headed home. 35W is the straight shot to our place and it was no surprise that the evening traffic was thick. From NordEast to my exit, it was stop n go. I got on the 35W bridge and changed the radio station. It was 5:56. I remember thinking to myself what discomfort I felt with all of the construction that had been going on. I was home not long after that for Jay and my first date night in months. Since it had been so long, we commenced "Operation: NO PHONES" the minute I walked in.

Date Night was amazing, as is any date with Jay. Lost in our own little world, we were oblivious to the fact that the 35W bridge collapsed. Around 10:30, we turned on our phones and readied for bed, only to find more than a dozen voicemails, pages, and text messages. As we listened to message after message of "Call me", one finally mentioned a bridge collapse. We turned on the news only to find out that, not 10 minutes after I crossed, the 35W bridge collapsed, injuring and killing numerous people. I called my dad right away, unable to imagine the thoughts that were going through his head - me having just left his house, driving over that bridge, and not responding to a single call or message for more than 5 hours. Jay and I stayed up for an hour calling our family members letting them know we were okay.

Today, I've felt almost detached....absolutely blessed that I left my dad's house when I did - cutting that conversation just 5 or 10 minutes shorter more than likely gave me a whole new future.... I feel like the luckiest person. My heart and prayers go out to those still lost in the aftermath, and to those families who still haven't gotten a call to say their loved ones are alright. I can only hope that more people are found alive soon.

Grateful,
K