Checking back in

It's not that my track bike has dust on it from last September. I actually added a few nicks and dings to its frame a few weeks ago thanks to my superwoman flight. My left knee still boasts a bright pink patch of new skin. My tattered ego and hesitant jump have been beat into submission since then with multiple hard efforts out on the track. So that shouldn't be a problem.

My race wheels still sit in their traveling case when they were lasted used in Argentina by Guy. And like I mentioned before, my Master Nationals numbers are still pinned to one of my skin suits.

Tonight, for the first time since last September, I'm going to race. I'm racing despite the fact that my number one fan won't be riding out to meet me to get drunk in corner two from lack of food and strong IPA. I'm racing despite my lack of fitness. I'm racing to feel adrenaline pump through my body again, to feel alive. I'm racing to get my body back in excellent shape and chase my passion again.

BIG news!

My friend Jonah has been working with the Access Fund to acquire the lower town walls at Index, WA. Well today the Access Fund announced that their option to purchase this section of the wall was secured! Check out this article to read about how much hard work they've done!

Keys!

Guess what I just found this morning? The missing Honda keys. Damn! Good thing I didn't pay $500 to have it towed into Honda and then pay them to install the ignition switch. I can hear Ryan giggling now....

And check out what will be in the July issue of Rock and Ice - thanks Patrick!

I'll be out of Internet touch for a little while - but will report on my travels soon!

"May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."

I ran into Emily on Wednesday. It was unexpected and wonderful. She looked fantastic. There were so many questions I wanted to ask her - all were on the tip of my tongue. Yet because our encounter was so brief and in the midst of climbing, I didn't get a chance to ask them. Instead I got to see, plain as the freckles on my face, that she is doing well and enjoying life again.

And that, that my friends, is worth its weight in gold.

Oh! And I almost forgot to mention... have you told the people in your life that have a positive effect on you that you appreciate them? That your life is so much fuller thanks to them? Today is the perfect opportunity to do so!

The rain hasn't stopped for about 24 hours and everyone I've talked today has at some point commented on it. Ah the beauties of living in the Pacific Northwest. At least the greens are becoming a deeper hue and summer is rapidly approaching.

Tomorrow is the first night of racing for the newbies out at the track for the season and Friday starts the first preseason night of the year. Hopefully the weather clears up so people can get some circles dialed in.

The knee is mending - today I shed the remnants of Tela's blue knee warmers from my scabs. Gross, I know. But an important step in my healing! And I rode the rollers for 20 minutes yesterday without any issues - so today I'm going for a little intensity. I can't wait!

I'm so thankful May is here. Next week I head down to Oregon to do a Rogue River Run and then that following Monday head to O'ahu for a week with the fam-damily. Next thing you know it'll be June!

Eight

8 months = 243.494799 days.
8 the natural number between 7 and 9.
Super 8 Motels.
Channel 8.
8 Mile.
Quark Express 8.

This Thursday marks 8 months. Some say it's the hardest month. But if you ask me, I think every month is hard.

Fish Heads!

The knee is still swollen and stiff - getting it checked out by a doc today. In the meantime I hobbled around Bellingham on Saturday at the Procession of the Species in my homemade fish head costume. Molly and I made the Bellingham Herald!

A similar scene played out last year when Tom and Molly wore the fish heads....


Then I headed down to Tacoma to cheer Chris on during his 1/2 marathon. We woke up super early - and headed down to the start. I found a sweet spot to cheer him on from and dawned the fish head. It was fun making all those runners laugh - especially on mile 11 of 13.1... Chris thought I was crazy. Ha!