The fall in Chicago has been amazing!  After LC Nationals, I came home and started my off season.  I am sure I could have done a few more races – but I was starting to HATE my bike.  The week leading into LC Nationals if I just LOOKED at my TT bike I wanted to throw it.  THAT is when I know I need a break.   And, my TT bike is still in my bike box – in the basement.

I did not do anything last week.  I had a ton of random things to catch up on.  I wanted to visit my ill grandma, sleep in, eat a bunch if crap and go take the kids to the Pumpkin Farm with my parents, sister/brother & families.  It is one of my favorite things to do in the fall.

On Monday I woke up on Monday – 5am.  Ready to workout.  I had to remind myself to go back to bed and SLEEP!  I did, it only took about 4 days to break that 5am habit.  And, this morning I opened up my eyes at nearly 7am!  Ha, oh, how quickly that becomes a slippery slope!

Tuesday my phone rang at 7:20am.  My phone rings a ton, but 7:20 is rare – it was one of those silent looks Jerome and I gave to one another.  I thought it was my parents with bad news regarding my Grandma.  It was my friend Julia.  Rich, her husband had passed away that night.  I tried hard to control my emotions but that lasted about 5 seconds.

Jerome and I had the pleasure of knowing Rich.  He has come to nearly every JHC camp (in some capacity) and has a deep love of riding bikes.  Jerome and him hit it off instantly.  There was never any hesitation – Jerome and I decided I needed to be at the services for Rich that weekend.

Thank goodness Angela Kidd offered up her place and Zach, Landon and David were kind enough to host me.  Now, knowing that I sat on my A$$ all week and ate nothing that was not brown chocolate all week – I knew the weekend would have me running with Angela.  Thankfully, one week does not make us out of shape – but considering I did NOTHING all week and then found myself with my running shoes on at 6:30am on Saturday for a run – well, it could have been ugly.  Thankfully, the colors were spectacular up in Minneapolis (WOW!) and we did an easier warm up 2 miles and then did our own thing and met back at the house – it was perfect. (Angela mentioned something about a BARRE class – or something silly – and I just went back to eating dessert).

After the run and breakfast (where I demanded oatmeal while she ate some form of FRUIT), we headed to the funeral.  It was one of the most amazing services I have ever been too and it is a wonderful credit to what a great man Rich was.  It was so wonderful to see many of my triathlon fries – what a great community up there!  Seeing Marit and her mom, Kate Oliver, Jen Lenarz, Cathy Y, Julie & Erik Hull, Julie & Brian Mac – what a great group up there to support Julia during this time!  Further evidence about how great this sport is!

I flew out that evening and was at the Pumpkin Farm with my family the next day…perfect way to end a tough weekend (where I ate FOUR apple cinnamon donuts thru the day – YEP!).

And, tomorrow Jerome and I head to Tucson!  IT is our 15th wedding anniversary and we wanted to get away to celebrate.  My vote was BORA BORA, but clearly that did not win and we are heading to Tucson.  LOL – kidding…we need to be prudent…we will enjoy the downtime in Tucson and SUN and heat again!  AND, even Lemmon if I decide to get on my bike. 🙂   Looking forward to some R&R!