Winter Wonderland

The snow started flying yesterday and hasn't stopped yet. Here are some pictures from today, I will post more later.

A night of giving back

Last year, thanks to my classmate Debbie I was able to take part in a thing called 'Fantasy Flight'. This year I wanted to make sure I went back. See what happens is this, Horizon Airlines puts on this event that allows underprivileged children a chance to have something they may not have been able to, Christmas. They take 50-60 children and bring them all out to the airport, give them a crazy amount of gifts, coats, sweatshirts, toys, dinner, food, candy and fun. They get to meet us-the elf's as well as Santa himself. We bring them all out to the terminal, feed them dinner and then the fun begins. They board a plane and head to the 'North Pole'. Once they land all of us are there to greet them and bring them into the north pole. Once inside they play games, eat more candy, and most importantly get to tell Santa what they want for Christmas. Once they have talked with Santa they then get a HUGE bag of gifts, something they may not have been able to get if not for this event. After the fun we all gather round Santa and Mrs. Claus for a telling of The Polar Express. As if this wasn't enough, they then get in to stretch limos for their ride back downtown to meet their parents. This is definitely a high light of the holiday season. To see the looks on these kids' faces is truly a great thing.

This little boy was so cute, as soon as he saw Santa come through the door he took off at a full on sprint and was the first one to him.

Story time.


This says it all.

DONE, For now.

Today marked the last day of the fall quarter. To say this week was crazy would be an understatement. This quarter of classes for some reason was a killer and finals week proved to live up to the rest of the quarter. 3 days, 6 tests. All I can say is holy crap! But yet here I sit, Friday night and I have made it through, not without a few missed heartbeats though. Monday was a regular day, classes and one final lecture. Tuesday started the finals, it was pretty good though, I had my Ther Ex class and had both the written and lab practical to take. I feel pretty good in this class due to its orthopedic nature and instructor-she has made it by far the most fun class we have had yet! It helps though that I have a background in the ortho setting:) The lab went well, I missed 1 and a half points, DANG, Almost a 100%! Then a bit of a break, if you want to call it that. I had a few hours before the written so I headed up to meet some classmates and we spent the time studying the material. Once I was done with that test I went home, a bit drained. The good part was that Wednesday I didn't have a test so I didn't HAVE to study that night. I tried a bit but it just didn't work out.

Wednesday though I woke up and headed out to the library to get in some study time. I spent a good part of 3 hours there and felt pretty good. Thursday would bring my pediatric lab and written. I was trying to over prepare for this one so to speak due to a history I have with my instructor-I won't go into that here because this would turn into a huge post. Lets just say if I'm not perfect in this class its not good enough. I went into Thursday a bit stressed but feeling pretty good. Well, that's not how I left the lab. I passed but not with the score I wanted or my instructor wanted. Then on to the written, that one went really well I ended up with a 94%.

As if that wasn't enough for the day we had one more 'test' that afternoon, all be it not really a test. We just had to get up and present a SOAP note on a patient we had seen in our recent clinical rotation. After that day I have to admit I was completely toast. I came home and just couldn't get in to study mode. I waited a bit and had some dinner and then hit the books one more time.

Today was my orthopedic final, which I felt pretty good about. I went in early today and got together with some of my classmates. When I filled in my final answer on that test this morning it felt a bit like a 100 pound weight was lifted off of my shoulders. This week was crazy but it is now over and I can enjoy a bit of a break-3 weeks actually. So now I feel like I can relax, get back on the bike, and re focus again. I welcome the break, it will be good. After this I have two more quarters and that's it!

The messed up mind of an athlete

With the turning of the calendar we now find ourselves in December. One holiday of overeating down one to go. The calendar now tells me that racing is over for the year and the next few months. Next up, rest, recovery and enjoying some workouts that don't involve the bike. A few weeks ago while in the middle of the cross season I would have said no way I don't want to stop racing, now though I am ready. The strange thing though and I have to admit the messed up part is now that I am officially on my rest month I am feeling a bit guilty about not riding. WHAT THE HELL!!!!! Why is it that I want to so badly take some time off and not have the pressure of following a strict workout schedule I am feeling like such a slacker. I know I need the time off but have all these stupid thoughts rushing through my head like 'I need to ride tonight, other people are riding and getting stronger'. STUPID, STUPID, STUPID.

When I received my December plan from my coach I looked over it and was pretty happy with what I saw. The first few weeks called for some of the normal plans that I have been doing followed by the much needed rest. My fall quarter is wrapping up and I will be having finals starting next week. So I called my coach in need of some clarification as well as guidance in my recent thoughts/feelings and overall how to approach this month. The great thing about my coach is that she is also my best friend. I know that I can talk to her honestly and openly and get a honest response. Most of all though I can almost guarantee that she is having the same feelings. After a long conversation she has once again put my mind at ease.

The words that she said that made me really come to terms with the battle in my head were 'ride if you want to ride, don't if you don't want to'. Resting really is just as important as the hard training that I put in. The harsh reality of it all is that next month the long base building miles begin again in order to be prepared for the road season in April.

This was the harsh reminder of what is to come. Fortunately it was all gone by the next day. I welcome the snow in the mountains (that way I can go snowshoeing) but would rather it just stay there and not down here.

My plan for today-ride (maybe) run (don't think so) have a beer (that I can do). Here's to rest:)