A Week of Complete Awesomeness

We're Week Two into 2016, and it's been filled with so much awesomeness that I haven't had a chance to post on the blog. Starting out the new year on the bike, I had a fun, fun, fun trail ride with Chippy and, really, how fabulous is this kid?! Adventures with Chip 2016 is going to be a blast.

Pink sunglasses, BeardHead hat, no gloves, no problem

I've been riding and running and eating clean for 13 days straight, with a huuuuuuge boost from my dearest friend Ingrid, who just happens to be a pretty incredible athlete and health coach. Ingrid arrived on January 7th and spent a week here on the North Shore, getting me back into a running routine, joining me on trail rides, bike workouts (including P2 with Coach Shayne!), and walks around Boston and Cambridge. She gave me a fresh insight into issues that have been plaguing me for a while, and I feel completely renergized. 

Dropping her off at the airport this afternoon for her return flight to Houston left me in tears on the drive home. I miss her already!! Still, we had a fantastic time together and I have a good feeling about the year ahead for both of us. We had an amazing week and I'm excited for the new year!

A first for Ingrid -- riding MTBs in the snow!

Vanderkittens land on their feet

Super excited for news coming out of the pro cycling circuit this week. My favorite Aussie, Jono Coulter, is now Director Sportif of the new BMW pro women's team (presented by The Happy Tooth Dental Group. Now doesn't that make you smile?) Waaaaay cooool!! Joining Jono on the team is the sweeeeeetest pro mechanic, Zane Free, who is going to kill the girls with his ridiculous jokes -- the ever fabulous Korina Huizar, (mega smiles), and fellow Vanderkitten pros Liza Rachetto, Miranda Griffiths, Rhae Shaw, and Elle Anderson!! (Forever kittens!!) SOOOOO COOOOOL. Vanderkitten may have put the brakes on the pro road circuit for a bit, but it's good to see many of them land on a new team together, (with Jono and Zane!!)

Also joining the BMW team are former US road champion Robin Farina, (women's cycling goddess), Erica Zaveta, (who I met very briefly in Gloucester), Jessy Ueberlhart, Shoshauna Routley, Megan Rathwell, and Michelle Khare. Twelve women in all. I'm so excited!

Vanderkitten is still on the pro scene in triathlon, mountain biking and cyclocross this year, and supporting the VKVIP squad in a big way. It's been a great start to the new year.

Congrats USA Women's Hockey

I don't watch a lot of television, (although I do sometimes catch a weather report), and didn't watch all of the Olympics while they aired. I tried. I really did. I caught a men's ski event where NBC showed two runs, followed by a 15 minute "human interest" story about one of the competitors, (really, foreshadowing his gold medal win), cut to 10 minutes of commercials before airing two more runs, and then cut back to ten more minutes of commercials. Good gravy. I saw a total of four skiers before I gave up.

I followed the competitions online and caught Olympic hockey fever while following Danvers native Meghan Duggan's twitter feed from Sochi. (Love her!) I'm disappointed the gold medal slipped out of the Americans' grasp today, but the US women played an amazing game, (and Mike DVR'd it so I could fast forward through the commercials). Unfortunately, the hockey gods were on Canada's side today. Congrats to Team USA and Team Canada -- an exciting game by both teams.