Home Sweet Home

The weekends of the past few months I've put my family, dogs, and school to a small extent on the back burner. In place of these priorities, I selfishly packed up my bike and riding clothes and drove South on Fridays in search of warmer weather. I've been living in my coach's basement in Cedar City or in hotel rooms in Vegas with other Northerners desperate to escape the cold and snow for a few hours of riding on the dirt before making the long drive back on Sunday night. Tomorrow marks two straight weeks of being home, the longest span I've spent sleeping in my own bed since cyclocross ended.
This weekend since the weather forecast in St. George predicted rain, I figured I'd stay home and ride. Better yet, I'd stay home and catch up on my masters project that I has been neglected since I turned in the first draft in the middle of January. Oddly, I continued to haul my laptop and 10 lbs of articles and other papers on each weekend trip. I subconsciously knew I was never really going to take the time to work on my project while sitting in the back seat of the car or at night in the hotel, but it made me feel better if lugged it around. The last week or so I have been feeling the crunch of March 1st...presentation day! If I can hold it together until March 1st and funnel my energy towards finishing this presentation then I'll be able to breath. Well at least for a few days until I start stressing over studying for my certifying exam! By the way, I'm proud to report I have been very productive thus far and I still have all day tomorrow!!

My cute nephew Atticus

Another good reason to stay in town this weekend is family. Lots of family chose to come visit O-town this weekend. My dad and stepmom from Jackson, my cute little nephew from Vegas, and even my uncle/aunt/cousins from the SLC are staying in Ogden for their annual ski weekend! Much to my surprise I think Brandon and I have come up with a plan to manage our time wisely and will be able to see a little of everyone! This makes my mom and grandmother smile...they are always "mentioning" how they never get to see us!

In fact, this weekend has been full of things I'm glad I was here for including Brandon receiving his shipment from Verge of the Roosters Bikers Edge team jerseys. With his team manager counterpart Jonny out of town at Frost Bike, I was glad I got to be there to share in the excitement of big boxes full of bike clothes arrived. We've had a constant stream of team members stopping by to pick up their goods!

One of the many boxes full of bike clothes crammed into our extra bedroom

I don't believe in fate or that "things happen for a reason". But, I must say there were a number of things...weather included, that aligned just right to keep me home! And I must admit, had the weather forecast been 70 and sunny...my story may have been different. So, no fun tales of trails and friends this time, but thats fine by me. I got to catch on the things that are way more important than pedaling a bike yet always seem to take a back seat without a complaint.

Tomorrow includes more training, homework and family plus a little skiing! Since I tortured myself at crossfit and on the trainer today I decided I deserve a little time riding the ski lift. Well, after our sunrise skin up Snowbasin that is. Gotta love those early morning hikers as you sweat your butt off in temps less than 20 degrees, heart rate jacked as you climb up a hill that is meant to be skied DOWN! On a lighter note, it is quite peaceful to watch the silent sunrise atop the snowy mountain. But then the silence is usually broken by our group panting like dogs as we slide our skis uphill. That and Lady Gaga of course! Tricia and I have become accustomed to the nasty comments we get about our teeny-bopper music selections. But hey when I'm on the trainer, skinning up the mountain, or doing anything else that causes similar pain...I NEED my music!!

And now off to another family event. Time to relax, laugh, and forget about school and training. Something I rarely get to do!