First Ride of 2015

Happy New Year! It's now Day 4 of 2015 and the year has gotten off to a good start. My New Year's Day looked a lot like previous ones -- with a few twists. This year's polar plunge was taken on by Will, not Chip, and a New Year's day brunch was spent with my SpiderOne Racing teammies, not the North Shore Cyclopaths. (Our Cyclopath brunch-hosts, Av and Laurie Hammer, had to cancel due to the flu. Get well quick, Av!)

I spent the mid-afternoon laughing and laughing with Lila, Jen, Kristen and Alison, Cate and Amy... OMG, they are a crazy bunch. A great way to bring in the new year. Thanks, Ladies!

Also kicking off the new year is a Whole 30 Challenge with RAAM bestie Ingrid -- and so far, so good. I love getting a text from her each day telling me how her day went and what workouts she completed. She's a force. Love her.

Over coffee yesterday morning, it was hard to think about heading out in 19 degrees -- really hard. But the temps eventually hit 25, and with a winter storm not arriving until late in the day, I had no excuses not to ride. I bundled up and managed 17 miles on a cold, gray day. No speed records, for sure -- it's hard to move quickly under three layers of clothing, and my toes completely froze -- but it wasn't a bad ride. 2015 is looking good.

Vacaaaation

2014 is coming to a close much differently than my previous two years -- In 2012 and 2013, I was frantically finishing out the Tri Inside the Y, which I didn't participate in this year. (I'll be back on it next year, though. I missed it!) My final days of 2014 have been quiet ones.

My best bro, Pete, has loaned me a mountain bike for the winter. OMG it has a rusty chain. Shayne would freak to see it, but with some work, it'll be good to have on icy, snowy roads this winter. I'm excited for more off-road adventures. I took it for a ride yesterday and it's a little rough, but it'll work for a few months. 

I'm heading out today in 37 degree temps (on the Lexa) to get in a "post-Christmas-excess" ride. Fat season is officially over for me -- it's time to get back on track. Ingrid has partnered with me on a Whole 30 Challenge beginning January 1 -- (Houston doesn't seem so far when you're chatting by text every day) -- and I'm excited for that. I'm rereading It Starts with Food to refresh myself. I've forgotten soooo much!

Very happy to be starting a new chapter in January... Time to get back on the bike and ride.