IT'S A BOY!!!!!!

The stork arrived and brought my sister and brother-in-law their first baby today! Aiden James Roan came into the world at 11:24am this morning, weighing 6 lbs 12 oz, and measuring 20 inches long!Congrats Liss and Chris!!! You'll be awesome parents! We can't wait to see you!!

I can see?

Now that I'm officially on vacation, it's time to take care of the mundane errands that I've put off for the last 16 weeks... doctor, dentist, and optometry appointments.

It's been a year-and-a-half since I last visited the optometrist, but realizing how I wear my glasses all the time now, and have prescription sunglasses, I knew I could not procrastinate any longer. I could tell that my eyesight has been getting worse, whether from stress or just getting old... I am nearsighted and have a pronounced astigmatism. In short, my left eye is approximately 80/20, and right eye is 20/200!! And that is just the nearsightedness!

I am adamantly considering laser surgery now, and since talking with my optometrist, am planning to do so in summer 2009. In the meantime, I decided to try contacts, in hopes to liberate myself from cycling between my regular glasses and prescription sunglasses all the time. I got the contacts today, and they are much trickier than I thought to put in and take out. However, correcting my astigmatism is even more challenging with the contacts... and I already have another pair on order, with a different prescription.

No more buying bikes this year... it is time to take care of me!!!

Finals done...

This semester has been a trying test of my utmost strength and will, but I continue to battle my way through.

Good or bad, I'm glad to be done with this semester and finally enjoy a 3-week break.

One Week

It's only one week post-'cross racing, and I'm already feeling a lonely emptiness. 'Cross has been fueling my inner drive and happiness for the last 3 months, and while I'm ready for a rest physically, my mind doesn't yet want to let go.

Too bad my finals fall this week, or I definitely would have made the trip to KC for Nationals. I cruised the results all weekend, with big thoughts and big dreams of competing next year.

I went for a run this morning, in the snow and with temps barely cracking the positive digits. I couldn't help but think how epic the CO State CX Champs would have been today, just one week later. It would have been frigid, but I would love it!!

"Cyclocross is an
adrenaline charge
on a nice day but,
it's even better when
conditions take a turn
for the worse."

Only one long week of comprehensive final exams to go, and then it's nothing but R&R for 3 weeks. I'm already starting to plan for 'cross season next year!

My Favorite (CX) Things

Working off the eternal classic, "My Favorite Things," I have come up with some of the things I enjoyed about today's race. Get the catchy tune going, and sing along with me...

(If you do not know what I'm talking about, shame on you, go see The Sound of Music immediately!!!!)

Bright sunny weather and windy conditions,
Lined up against the state's best competition,
Teammates and friends on the sideline cheering,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Running through sand and jumping o’er barriers,
Testing my strength as a rider and harrier,
Spurred by the timbre of cowbells that ring,
These are a few of my favorite things.

When my legs hurt, when my lungs sting,
When I’m feeling mad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don’t feel so bad!

Today was the culmination of my inaugural cyclocross season: The Colorado CX State Championships. I have never had more fun racing my bike than I've had this fall, and I was a little sad for it all to end. But studying for final exams is most important now, and I will be back and even better next season!
I had a solid final race, and finished 10th overall, and 1st in Cat 2. (The other 9 women that beat me are all pros, so I don't feel so bad!) Thanks to everyone who has lent me support this season, especially my super supportive and awesome husband Chris; I would not have made it this far without you!!!