Back from the Dead

This weekend I finally started to feel as though I'd come back around from getting my arse kicked by a major sinus/ear/lung infection.

To test the waters in the most abusive way I could think of, I raced the St. Peter Time Trail on Saturday.... nothing like a 40K time trial to welcome you back.... especially since I haven't raced a time trail since last September. An hour before the race, the outlook was not good. My legs were exhausted from a ragin Roller Disco the night before... but heck, Hwood and I won the couple's costume contest, so it was worth it!

Back to the pain.... about 5 miles into the TT my lungs burned. Dead center in my chest my lungs practically cramped with the strain of trying to expand. Something finally gave a few miles further down the road and they opened up and filled my legs with oxygen. Since it had been a while since my last TT, my expectations were as low as a redneck's IQ, and mile after mile I kept extending my goal time to beat. To my utter disbelief, every time I looked at my computer, my speed was great so I kept truckin along.

With 12 miles to go, my crotch began swearin' at me like a sailor, tempting me to stop. But, I figured the only way off the bike was 12 miles down the road, so I pushed harder figuring that the faster I went, the sooner I'd be done. Diggin my heals into the ground, I soared across the finish line exhausted. When I looked down at my finishing time I near crashed my bike! 1:04:06!!!! Just shy of 3 minutes faster than my previous best!

Awesome pics, Seth!

I tried messin' with Jay and acted disappointed at a super slow time and told him to check my computer. He looked at me, astonished, and congratulated me on a killer time. It's so nice to have my hubby always there to share in my experiences, especially my first win of the season!

To keep the good times rollin, we headed out to Afton the next day to conquer the ski hill with our mountain bikes. My legs moaned and complained for much of the race, but I never gave up. The rocky sections were a little over my head, so my performance wasn't totally where I wanted it to be. I still took home a win in my age group, though, so that was super awesome!

Jay took on the pro race during the peak heat of the day as Smokey and I baked in the sun. Although he was totally exhausted from Saturday, he stuck to it and finished strong. I am so proud of you baby!!!

By Sunday night, tired and tanned, Hwood, Smokey and I returned home to put our feet up and relax after a fun weekend gone by. A little late in the season to finally come to, but I'll take it.

Back on the bike wagon,
Kristy Kreme

Another Weekend on the Road

Hollywood and I went south for the holiday weekend to spend time with family and friends. Not only did we enjoy the heat and the sunshine, but we got to ride our bikes, play with Smokey, see Jay's parents and party with the entire Iowa crue.

Kenny & Lou hooked us up with a place to stay again, and we had a blast. It's definitely the place to stay for great socializing and bikes. Not to mention Smokey is a huge fan of their 3 yr. old black lab, Ridley! They played so much, we had to wash the slobber off of Smokey before we loaded up the car to come home.

We spent our days out riding our bikes and watching and racing some killer Iowa races, starting with Snake Alley. That Snake was rad and I wish I could have tackled it a few more times, but my slowly-departing sickness was too huge a barrier to overcome.

Hwood and I tackled the Melon City Criterium at Weed Park, but the heat and lingering illnesses proved impossible to overcome yet again, forcing each of us off of our bikes earlier than we wished. Lucky for us, though, father Bob was up n' at 'em enough to come out and watch! Thank a ton for coming out, Bob! Bob, Smokey, and Dorothy spent the afternoon basking in the warmth under the shade of an old oak tree.
Smokey's such a good boy - we left him off leash most of the afternoon and he played and lounged with the rest of us.To add to the fun and excitement, we followed up the day's events by joining Ken, Lou and the crue on their bitchin' wine ride. At dusk, we loaded up our bikes with wine, cheeses, breads, hummus..even some creme brulee, and hit the road for our fave park. Almost 50 people saddled up for fun, and no one was left behind.

Sometime after midnite, we headed back... but not too fast as to deny an impromptu disco!



Needless to say, we had an awesome time! Lucky for me, Hwood and I were on a tandem, ensuring I made it home quite safe after a couple of glasses of wine.

Thanks to all my favorite peeps for another awesome weekend on the road. Hwood & Smokey, you're the best companions! I love you!

Road worn & weary,
Kristy Kreme

Tramp Stamp Faux Pas

Sitting at breakfast yesterday with my hubby and my father and mother in law, we spotted one of the worst tramp stamps yet... might as well have been a friggin arrow!
I really hope there was more to it.

Kristy Kreme