Kylie continues to do very well in school. We are looking at ways to allow her to continue to grow at this pace so her world may change a little. Hard for a 3rd grader but great for the individual she is. She is a student council member and has secured the lead role in her school play. She has tried out and made travel soccer. It is the under 9 academy. Should be fun. I think I even volunteered my time if needed. Maybe a bike race or some running this year.
Addie is crazy. She will be hard to contain in all ways but is great fun. She pushed all of us! My understanding of her world has become clearer but still seems to change with the tide. She is in swimming, dance and soccer. I know her goal is to ride her bike this year. She is skating on her own. Dances like crazy and seems to have an abundance of energy that never ends!
Keeva(the Bernese Mountain Dog) is great. She just hit 90 lbs at 10 mos. She was at the groomer yesterday. She is still small they tell me. I would be fine if she stops here but it sounds like another few month of growing. At 8 mos she was 60 lbs so she will get bigger. Those looking for a dog for the family this is a great breed. Patient, loving, people dogs. But they are stubborn, strong-willed and big. The owner needs to be the 'top dog'. They do lose fur! Had to get a Dyson just to keep up with her. She has the run of the house when we are home(people dog) and the yard when we are not(fenced). I walk her every morning to the tune of a mile where 3/4 of that is off leash in the park. Just like good dog owners told me-just like another kid. Yep-she is great but gets attention and lots of love. Addie seems to be most dominant over her. Guess that makes her the boss.
Kristi is very busy with her new job in the Gap/Old Navy/Banana Rep. world. Very busy. I know she likes being involved in this 'crazy' world. One which I do not. What would normal look like? Hopefully finding time to train for the 1/2 marathon and some other big runs this year. I think she should do the Muddy Buddy thing.
I had a good year. Healthy. I hate this time of year. It makes me nervous. It's cold, many people are sick and still come to school and I tend to be a bit of a germ freak. Three years is just around the corner. I am nervous. They said three years would be the point when I start to feel better. I look forward to this! Bring it on. Marathon-I am still told. Take it all in stride and relax-plenty of time. Shit I want it now! 3-5 years so I have a few to go yet. I have started one of my last(hopefully) recovery therapies. The focus is on the chest/neck area. Scar tissue. This stuff is nasty! It is much worse than the original 'wound'. It goes deep and seems to be everywhere. A little would be manageable but they really f'ed me up inside. So 3 times a week I go in and they work on me. I have commanded some full breathes. Swallow without choking. I do yawn now. I know silly little things but when those are lacking it is really cool to have again.
I would not be so intense but I want it back(I think I said that before). I really want to know how hard I can go on the bike and feel normal again. I would say last year was a good training year. I went hard but was definitely capped due to my breathing. I built a huge (for me) base (5000 miles) and my body went from top heavy to well balanced. Legs got strong. I knew going into last year that my (lack of) breathing would be the downfall. It was. Red zone = fall flat on my face (no breath). So the goal is to work on that. I get my tail kicked at therapy and really feel crappy after for a few days. 3 days a week and there is not much left. I try to hit the trainer between. But it seems to be helping. I will start testing it in that red zone soon. Hill work. The hope is that I can get some full breathes when hyperventilating or hopefully no hyperventilating! If all goes well this will someday be gone.
This year should be big on the bike. As long as I stay healthy and injury free. I plan to focus on the longer events that allow me to stay away from that blow-up red zone if possible. Or at least do rides that allow me time to settle in. Here's the list:
Southern Cross (GA) Feb. CX
Colorado Trip. April. MTB.
Almanzo May CX
Lutsen 99 June MTB
Road racing. Not sure when but I have to do this at some point!
Dakota Five-o Sept. South Dakota MTB OR Foolsgold 100/50. GA MTB
Gentleman's Ride Sept. CX
Heck of the North Sept. CX
Dirt Bag Oct. CX
Lots of Tuesday night rides and fun MTB stuff thrown in there. Hopefully a Fondo also. CA?
So here's to 2012. Good things to come!
Mark
