Relay for Life - a new family is born

Jay and I went back to Iowa again this weekend. This time it was to support and experience the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. To top it even more - Jay's bro John and his beautiful wife, Abby were coming down as well, and I got to meet them for the very first time.

Jay and I got down there late Friday night. John and Abby's flight was cancelled on Friday, so they were flying in on Saturday instead. Jay and I went to pick them up in the unbelievably clean, vacuumed, scrubbed, spot-checked Trooper. Yes, racers, that's right, the Trooper took a bath and even scrubbed behind her ears!
The anticipation was fun as we hung out in front of the little airport. There was no doubt as John excited the airport on the far end of the line....a man of great stature and presence not to deny. Abby impressed me with her beautiful smile and a very sweet side. We rode over and jumped out for instant hugs - forget the handshakes, we're family, eh? Abby and John were finally real - not just their wedding photos in Jay's keepsakes any longer. We met up with their parents at the Steak n Shake for a quick bite before the Relay. It all felt quite energized, people reuniting after a year, and meeting for the first time. John and Abby were so much fun! And Bob and Dorothy looked so happy and excited - it made every moment just memorable.

We all parted ways quickly, having lots to get done before the relay began. John and Abby returned to their hotel to get settled and ready, Dorothy and Bob went to the track to set up, and Jay and I hit the road on the bikes to get a solid work out in before we let yet another gorgeous day sneak away. The sun was high and clear, keeping the air in the mid 80's as we did a loop to the Sugar Bottoms and back on the Javelins. I will probably never have a steak burger before a long, hot ride again but once I got past the heavy legs and nausea for the first 20 minutes or so, the world opened up to a great ride. Jay and I worked hard up rollers and leg-stretchers in the warm summer sun. We kept a hard pace, knowing we only had just under 2 hours to do our ride before we had to be back and ready to go. We did the 30 mile ride in about 1 1/2 hours, getting back to the hotel just in time to get in wash-rag-n-smelly-lotion shower and change clothes before jumping back on the bikes to get to the track.

Jay & John's dad, Bob, is a three-time cancer survivor. Bob and Dorothy are long time volunteers at the Relay for Life - a fundraiser and homage to those who fight the disease today, or lost the battle. The entire evening was full of emotions - thinking back at those who had passed in our lives, quivering smiles for those who we're so proud of that beat it, tears for those that still struggle.

John lead the opening lap, playing a meloncholly, yet strengthening ballad on the bagpipes. We marched behind him as a family, supporting him, and supporting those around us. The walking went on all night as people came and went. I got to meet so much of Jay's family that came out - siblings of both parents, his cousins, their kids..... And, of course, we had to get a family picture! [the photo is on Jay's camera, so check back later tonight or tomorrow since I don't have it to load at this time - it's so cute, you know you'll want to!] The greatest part was watching Bob do the Survivor's lap, then come grab Dorothy, John, Abby, Jay and I to walk by his side for the Family/Friends/Support lap. It was an honor to walk with them that night, even if I wasn't in those hospital rooms over the years. Dorothy and Bob held each other's hands tightly...long time love. It took a deep breath here and there not to cry, though I'm certain no one would have thought any less of me for doing it, but none the less, I tried to stay cheery.John played again after the sunset, and him, Abby, Jay and I cut out soon after for Pizza n Beer. We had a great time - Jay and I telling them about how we met and got engaged, them sharing with us how they had fallen in love. Having grown up in a single parent home, I was not without love and caring between family, but I did miss out on witnessing the love of man and woman. Now, still to this day, true love is one of the most beautiful things I love to enjoy, and I got to see it there in them.....as well as feel it everyday with Jay.

I couldn't have asked for a greater weekend. I got to truly become part of the family, sharing deep, emotional, joyful times with all of them. I feel very welcome, and I hope that is a direct reflextion of the way they feel for me, too. Because I couldn't be happier.

Lovin' and livin'

Kristy Kreme

I like to ride my bike, end of story

Nine months ago I thought to myself "I like to ride bikes". And, seeing my only bike at the time was a rusted old, hand-me-down, sumthin' or nuther, I decided to by myself a nice new bike. That, and I had some dream about doing a triathlon some day (this was before I realized I didn't really like to run, but I loved to ride). Yadda Yadda, through the OC's super rad recommendation, I wound up at Hollywood Cycles. Fast forward --- bike purchased, fell in love with riding and all of our favorite bike shop owner, discovered racing, joined PCR's, got engaged, ----arrive: Today's date.

So, over the course of last week, my super-wicked, natural high of finishing 2nd in the State TT Championship became awash due to politico Bull-Shyte. On my team website, which we use to post practice rides and hunt for car pools to far away races, results are posted on Monday/Tuesday mornings by our team "Captain". Last week, however, he happened to omit my finish. Jacki, the OC, posted my results and a big congrats which was super sweet! She also included a question to our fearless leader about why my scores had not been listed (when two of the other PCR's on the team's had) Our "captain" replied with a nice "I only post PCR scores. What were you wearing?". [for those of you who haven't made it down my blog to the State TT entry - I was wearing Jay's kit. Not only do I not have a PCR skin suit, but it was chilly and Jay had a long-sleeve Black N White one I could wear. Not to mention, he's definitely my best sponsor!]

Anyways, the entire outhouse hit the fan - stinky, warm crap flying everywhere, me greatly insulted by the public belittling by el capitan. My teammates choosing sides or cracking jokes to lighten the situation.....the glory of riding so hard and finishing great - flushed down the tube within hours.

I'm sorry, but I did not join a "team" to be made to feel bad for things I'm doing - Frick, if I wanted to feel that way, I'd join a cult. I joined this group so I'd be able to find more people passionate about the sport and recreation of cycling that I could learn from. There went that idea. Not to mention, it's not as if I'm making a living this way. I joined a club and began racing Cat 4 and beginners races - let's not take it all so seriously. Either way, it was extremely unfortunate to find out that people can be so uptight and cruel about something so magnificent.

I anticipate most of those out there that read this ride because they love it. Let's keep it that way. Wear what you want to wear, ride what you want to ride, and love every minute of it.
Don't let people take that away from you.

Rant over

State TT Championships

So, needless to say if you look at the date this is getting posted, I'm a little late in publishing these highlights....trading internet signals for brownies and cinnamon rolls with the neighbors doesn't always equate to a reliable signal.

Last weekend was the State TT Championships in St. Peter, MN. Jay and I were up at the butt-crack of dawn to make the 7:30 registration time. By the time we got there, we were amongst the last dozen or so to register and start. In front of me on the line were nothing but 1's and 2's, so I had no realistic "rabbit" to chase. And, behind me, were people like Hollywood and Doug Swanson, who were, no doubt, going to blow by me within the first 5 minutes of the course. Sure enough - they did.

The course was mostly flat with the only a$$-kicker right away, other than that it was soft rollers and large turns. Traffic was slim and none, but the wicked wind made you doubt yourself when you tried to figure out if the head wind was for the finish or the start. Truth be told, it was mostly just a moderate cross wind that was enough to challenge your momentum, and rarely toss you sideways.

This was my first 40K time trial (24 miles for my American friends - and family like Bob) - my longest prior to this was only 15 miles. The morning air was chilly so Jay let me wear one of his extra long-sleeve skin suits - Yep, that's right, the Black n' White! Little did I know it would cause a butt load of controversy down the line - but that's an entire separate blog entry in itself. I digress..... I rode the course hard and fast - wanting to push myself to another level, yet keeping a good sense of how it all felt and was. I was so intense at times, I would put my left arm to sleep - try being aero with one arm playing your rib cage like piano keys, while the other one is trying to keep you in that great tucked position in your drops! Quite the feat, I must say. And yes, you heard it right, I rode a stock bike. My sweet little Casper. On the 2nd half, I started to struggle, having had EVERYONE PASS ME, except one, that had started after me. I couldn't tell if I rode harder just to be done, or if I fought myself to finish though I wanted to give up. Either way, I had my head down, not to be aero, when Jay started riding back out to find me after his finish.

I don't see how I could ever be unhappy with a man like him supporting me. Jay rode up ahead of me by 20 yards, encouraging me to keep fighting in the last mile or two. I wanted so bad to give up at that point but, when he confirmed where the finish line was, I found my last reserves and rode away. Off in the distance I saw 1/2 a dozen Silver looking back at me, and the finish tent just in front of them. I dropped it into my toughest gear, powering down the last down-hill, and sprinting for the finish with everything I had. Exhausted, I got it up to 25mph over the finish line with a swarm of Black n' White cheering behind me. I felt amazing! I don't know if it's just my relationship with Hwood, but those Silver riders are so supportive and kind to me. I'm pretty sure they're just great people who appreciate other racers, and I am so grateful to have people like that cheering for me! Thanks guys! You know who you are. : )

When the results were tallied, I wound up getting SECOND PLACE in the W Cat 4! I finished in 1:09:30, just under 2 minutes behind the winner who was riding a TT bike! I couldn't believe it, and to see Jay so proud was even more wonderful. Jay did great, too, finishing 5th in the 35+ Master's. It still isn't the finish he's looking for, but we had a late start to the season. Timmer got 3rd in the Pro/1/2's. My medal sits here next to my computer for me to look at and reminiss with.....What an amazing day - an amazing LIFE that I have found. A world I once didn't know existed is now one I love to frollic in.