Dear Endsley you will be missed

A friend of mine and a close dear friend and neighbor of my sister died this weekend from a very tragic car accident. Oh, Endsley, you were truly one of those amazing people. A very bright light that not only lit up the room but all the people in it. You are going to be missed. My heart goes out to your family, Wells, Claire and all the others that were so close to you. I am thinking of you.

Okay. I had to write that. Feeling a little helpless with everybody feeling such a loss.

So on the brighter side. I raced cyclocross on Sunday and got 2nd to Anna! I was super stoked. Annalisa who is a strong road rider was breathing down my neck for the first lap and even tried to pass once. I had it in me to demoralize and fired away. I didn't have 6 laps of that but could have done it a few more times. Started feeling good the last couple of laps. Even passed my husband. Not his kind of course. I had a really good time and was hoping we could talk some more about my new swimming schedule. Can I start that in a month and do cyclocross for the rest of the month? It has been nice actually seeing some of those people again, and I really do like to race cyclocross. Last year I wasn't into it, but this year I almost feel like I need it. It was so amazing to have a race without any problems. If this doesn't work with the rest of my goals though, that is fine too and I can start swimming but.....

So, this is hard for me to think about what I want to do since I am not running. Usually I do all of my important thinking running. 

However, I did come up with some ideas.

#1 I absolutely want to be triathlon focused this year. Triathlon is what I love.  I love to swim, bike and run. Just one of those just ain't gonna cut it. Also, I am envisioning a future with a lot less time, which might mean a lot more running. I can store that away for later.

So with that being said. The races I really want to focus on are going to be the local Montana races. Especially the Grizzly and Polson. Those two races are where all the competition comes out. I will have to work the hardest even if my results aren't the highest (make sense).

I would also like to focus on one half ironman distance. I would like to discuss this a little more. Timing etc. My options are to 1) stay close to home and do a non Ironman race or 2) Lawrence is going to sign up for Vineman. I mentioned to Erik that I didn't think I should because of cost and vacation, but he kept trying to convince me to go. So, I just might. One thing I learned this year is  that I really like having a buddy who is racing. The experience seems to be a lot better. We would be able to carpool and we both have family in the area. Registration for this race is November 1. So I have a month to figure this out and see what the refund policy might be.

As far as vacation. If I can plan it, and afford it, I would like to go to Belize on a week or so long trip in April. I am still researching the best time of year. I was thinking that this could be a treat after the Grizzly.
We are also going to be building our house this spring. Hopefully, keep your fingers crossed. So, vacation might be out of the question. I think part of this vacation thing is my not letting grass grow under my feet.

Other races:
I would like to plan on 24 hours of Rapleje. That is a Team Muleterro event. I love the camaraderie. I had so much fun at this last year.

 So as I was writing this, I had a Julie great idea #1. What do you think of my idea below?
Do a couple of Olympic distance races before Polson. Use them to work out how to race that distance. I don't feel comfortable at the Olympic distance. Not sure how hard to go. So maybe try and get in a couple of those before Polson. This would mean Spring Meadow and another one. I might have to find it somewhere other than MT.

Other:
Did I mention I am the race director for MuleX. I did this last year too. It really isn't a ton of work except for the weekend of the race.  I also have a lot of down time at work and this is a good way to fill in the time. This year is going to be great. We are going to have a secret unveiling.....

Work this week- Crazy day Wednesday. Usually I have 20 mice and it takes 8 hours. This Wed. I will have 30 mice. I really hope it doesn't take 12 hours.