Do one thing a day that scares you... Bikes, Yoga, and Brussels Sprouts

With the long, cold days of winter finally behind us *knock on wood*, it's glorious to finally feel the warmth of the sun on my skin.  It's been so long since I've written, but not for lack of adventures...

Fat bikes, ice racing, and loads of work hours at a new gig helped kept me busy through winter, but the length of it definitely challenged my disposition.  By the end, I was certain I was getting SAD.. desperate for sun and warmth, overwhelmed with snow and shoveling, struggling to take a moment to sit and write.  grrrrr

Luckily, my new gig with lululemon got me experimenting with yoga.  Hot Yoga at Modo was a lifesaver, thawing me out on the cold days and loosening up my body from long hours on the bike.  (So what they say about yoga IS right!)  

Then, outta nowhere, spring sprung!  I went from layering up beyond reason to wearing my Girl Fiend tank everywhere!  I've been taken over by an extreme desire to be outside and stay there.  We've gotten out the mtn bikes, hit the time trials, and Tuesday night criteriums. Phenomenal racing with a growing Girl Fiend Cycling Team has been amazing!

And the newest adventure, commuting to the mall via bike, has been amazing and so therapeutic.  Jay laid out 2 great routes for me to get to the mall from home or the bike shop where the traffic is minimal and I'm granted the peace and quiet to sort of meditate along my ride.  The splendor of nature that I find along the way as I pass through Fort Snelling State Park, meandering along the river, taking in the birds, deer, and one massive turtle has helped alleviate the winter depression that had set in.

Have bike... will ride... and explore.
Rode to a new yoga studio to try Ashtanga for the first time
Trust your husband's verbal directions on new bike route to work
Commuting to work in my awesome Girl Fiend/Podiumwear team kit because I just love it!
Rode with the ladies and finished with a private yoga class at the shop with the lovely Lisa Hobson!
Took a two week meditation course
Tried brussel sprouts & kale for the first time.. and liked it!
Took an aerial yoga workshop (so dizzy, but so fun)
Planted flowering vines from seeds for the first time
Took a Visual Merchandising class through work
Completed my first drive train overhaul at the bike shop
Tried a spin class for the first time (I was the only one who left bleeding #fail)
....

Although I haven't been writing, I've had lots of adventures, big and small.  They say "Do one thing a day that scares you" and I've tried to as often as I can.  Trying new activities, new foods, exploring new places... enjoying the journey of finding new things that delight me and make my day better to balance stress and struggles.  It's been up and down, sideways and up-side down.

It's a personal challenge to keep myself on the path that brings me joy rather than one that meets expectations.  But this life affords me time and energy to enjoy great things... like warm summer bike rides with my closest friends.  Tuesday night was fantastic.. I got to ride with Sarah and Teresa on a warm night, meandering through Minneapolis with no direction in mind.  We found ourselves at the Stone Arch Bridge and took a few minutes to stop and enjoy the magnitude of the rushing water below.

 

We finished the ride with beers and snacks as we watched the sunset as we got to catch up on life.  We didn't want the night to end but getting across town without lights kept us on task.  It's the relationships and memories that we create that truly make life better!

It's just so amazing to live in such an area that I can get around on my bicycle, explore new things, enjoy time with the best people around!  The only bummer is that there's so much fun to choose from, that household chores kiiiinda get neglected. #wearittwice Yeah... we're the people who's Christmas tree is still up!  But, to my defense, it's only 18" tall and easy to overlook on the end table it sits on..  Heck, maybe we're just ahead of the game this year, eh?

Either way, I'm low on regrets and flush with stories.  Sounds like a good way to roll to me.  So, the big question no is:  What scary thing to take on next?

Feelin' Courageous,
Kristy Kreme

froZEN with my friends

To kick off yet another chilly spell in MinneSO-Friggin-Cold-duh, I spent Friday night getting uber sweaty with some of my favorite gals at Modo Yoga in Uptown.  Having only been going to hot yoga classes for a month or so, I discovered a fast addiction to sweating and stretching in the 105 degree room.  And, completely contrary to expectations with dozens of sweaty bodies in the same room, it's such a peaceful, odor-free, and relaxing environment with dim lights, gentle sounds, and instructors that lead you in your practice in a challenging and forgiving way.

This night, Teresa and Morgan joined me for the Friday night Karma class to support a friend's foundation that puts together for Twin City's homeless residents.  The class was HOT and the sounds of sweat hitting my mat as we did our first forward fold were loud and welcome as I watch the rivers run down my arms.  Shannon led us through a great practice and we left the class limber, lighter, and with relaxed.  To 'rehydrate' after class, we met Hwood & Matt at Burger Jones for some bevvies and grub to close out the night.  As well as the burger smell overpowered our detoxed state, the sounds of laughter and friendships binding tighter drowned out the existence of all other patrons.

As the night drew to an end, we parted ways to celebrate the next day's chills in our favorite ways... Me & Hwood - we took on the Lake Mtka Ice Race!  Morgan and Matt excited us in their attendance and constant cheers once the race was underway.  Heck, high of 5 degrees? Ignore the windchill... just wear another layer.  Sadly, the uber cold temps kept the attendance lower than normal but the event was top-notch as always.  Once the Elite Men's / Women's Open race toed the line, I was a little bummed out to find myself as the only chica with the cold-weather-cahones this year.  Oh well, there were still more than a dozen boys to try to beat, right?!

Once it began, I tried to secure a good position in the pack as we charged down the first straightaway in the pinky of the "Metal" hand course.  I got into the middle of the pack and pretended that the guys chasing me were my toughest female competitors on the ice... Kristi, Patti, and Danielle.  Run, baby, run!

The 45 min. race was gonna be tough as the cold wind drifted the snow across the shoveled, icy course.  Thankfully, Podiumwear makes AMAZING winter apparel, so I had every inch of skin covered in awesome Girl Fiend gear and stayed warm considering the conditions.  With every turn, I pedaled on, trying to push the limits of my home-made studded tires. I wasn't just gonna take the win without digging deep into my reserves and forcing myself to go faster.

With a few laps to go, my internal thermometer was inching up and I removed my neck cozy from my face to cool my core and increase my oxygen intake.  Not one lap later, the headwind bit hard at my cheeks and I was stunned to find my neck cozy had frozen into a solid, fabric mask when I recovered my face.  Attacking my imaginary opponents til the final turn, I was exhausted and elated as I crossed the line for the win that I joyfully shared with my hubby who went out hard and never let up, sealing our second husband & wife victory at the Lake Mtka Ice Race. :)

We were warmly welcomed in the park building with tasty burgers, dogs, and beers and friends.  It was so hard to leave after all the fun and laughs that filled the building began to fade, but the couch and some cozy blankets were calling our names.

Come Sunday morning, we refueled with family over a tasty brunch, inside from the increasing winds as the latest frigid blast moved into MN.  The food was warm, tasty, and it was great to celebrate my Dad's, step-mom's and step-sis's birthday over mimosas and bloody's.

To keep things interesting, I got to attend my first (and probably only) event at the Minikahda Country Club via our lululemon holiday party in the Paddle House.  We had awesome food from Brassa and cold beers and Sangria to top it off.  It was so much fun to finally get to know my knew coworkers better, enjoying stories away from the store and laughing as we played Cards Against Humanity and were challenged to play outside in spite of the negative 21 degree windchills.

Although part of me wanted to bail due to the temps, my love for trying new things layered up on the clothing and headed outside with my friends to try out Paddle Tennis outside on their heated courts.  It was so much fun!  I laughed my ass off as I biffed on a huge swat of the paddle, or as Kyle sent the ball souring out of the fences and into a snowbank. As the minutes ticked by, I was baffled by my dwindling motor skills and screaming backside... I think I was literally freezing my ass off out there!  I only made it some five minutes before I had to call it a night, just as Jay & Rosco drove up to take me home in a warm car.  We hugged our goodbyes and I headed home with my boys to close out yet an another amazing weekend with my loved ones, taking on new challenges and exploring new avenues of joy.

Meditation. Sweat. Laughter. Pain. FroZen. Joy. Love.

Finding Zen in any way I can,
Kristy Kreme