Best Summer Ever!

As I sit in my room hectically trying to get ready for the first day of class tomorrow, I can't help but look back at a fabulous summer. I've raced bikes close to every weekend these last 5 months or so, and I feel much better for it. I've gone on a few trips, made many new friends, started a new job, and matured in so many great ways.

Let's talk about bike races first (: It was a solid road season, I never really got that super great result I was looking for at the beginning of the year, but I did win some money. I learned a ton and I feel like I have a really good grasp on how to win crit races now, I'm hoping that will pay off next year! I have a pretty full Fall season of cyclocross races, the first two: next Saturday in Alma and Sunday in St. John's, both of which I'm very much looking forward to. I think my fitness is at a pretty good point, what will hurt me is my mental game. Will I be able to fight through the pain or will I crack as soon as the pace gets high? Ryan told me last week I need to find 'the eye of the tiger', I'm not sure if I have yet, but it can be something good to work on (:

I've been through my first crash that I can remember (haha) and I feel better for it. I now know that crashes can (and will) happen, they hurt pretty bad but it is not the end of the world. Sometimes nothing can be done to avoid crashes, they just come out of nowhere, but it is a part of racing and something I can recover from. I have a whole cabinet drawer full of first aid supplies now, so I'm very well prepared to go down again. I think cyclocross races this Fall will be even better to help me get over crashing since I haven't raced since I went down in Detroit in July, and cyclocross racing is more or less just one big crash after another (;

I've gone on a couple trips down to Ohio to see Betsy and friends and it has been a great time every time. I am so glad Betsy moved away (not because I was sick of her or anything but she has made a whole new best friend group), met a wonderful guy (Mason for King), and it has opened up many new experiences for my family and myself. It is wonderful having a place to go a few hours away and a nice little vacation (party) spot just a short drive away (long enough to get bored while driving and go through a few playlists).

I went down to Tennessee at the beginning of summer and saw some great friends and did some new things, which was totally rad (always looking for a reason to go down to TN).

Most everyone must know by now; I left Advia around the beginning of August (thanks for everything, I miss everyone so dearly) and started a new job with Tibble & Wesler, CPA on August 27. I've worked full-time now for a week and I absolutely love it. I've prepared a few tax returns, worked on some bankruptcy stuff, and have done some bookkeeping; I don't think I'll ever get enough. I love having my own desk and my own phone extension, I've decorated my desk with some of my favorite things (Manchester United, bikes, and family, not necessarily in that order (; ), and I really enjoy the new people I work with/for. It is life changing having two computer monitors to work with, I don't think I'll ever be able to go back to just one.

I feel very happy with myself. Coaching the boy's soccer team at Parchment has been amazing, Jerod and I are working very well together with the boys and I feel as if we will start to turn a corner just as conference play starts. I am very much looking forward to the rest of the season, even though I will take more of a back seat role now that school is starting and work has already started. I feel very motivated to have a strict schedule and get all my shit (stuff) done, still have a social life, and be able to be fast on a bike as well as my other extra curricular activities.

P.S. have you seen my new bike? (it's acid pink) (go see my friends down at Pedal)

I am figuring out what I want in life, what I want in a relationship (still don't know), and what fills my cup (it's not always alcohol). It'll be a very crazy next few months, I'll write when I can (hopefully after most race weekends), and I'll continue to make myself happy. Let's hope for a fantastic cross and gravel season, a successful first semester at Davenport, learning more at work and becoming a tax pro, continued fun with friends and potential suitors (suitors? what is this, the 1700's), and forever more reasons to put off doing homework (;

P.P.S. (I think that's right) It has been four years since I knocked my head and almost didn't make it, extremely blessed/thankful/fortunate/lucky/grateful to be able to live my life however I want it to be and not feel as if anything is holding me back (I wish people would stop coming up to me on my right side (; )

I better start reading some syllabi.

Cheers! CE