Hi. It's been a while. Sorry about that. Life's been a little weird, which has made me weird(er) and much MUCH quieter than normal. I wanted to post some updates on life and training for any of you who may still pop on here from time to time.
Life.
In June, I took a full-time position with the CU Anschutz Health and Wellness Center in admin. It was 8 months of back-and-forth and figuring out a place for me to get my foot "officially" in the door there. I love the environment and much of the work that the wonderful people I work with do. I've already learned so much and have begun to carve out a little niche for myself there. Something I seem to be good at--making shit work! I'm excited to be a part of it and I'm hopeful that I'll be able to continue to grow myself and my career where I actually feel valued. Plus! BENEFITS Y'ALL!
I work an hour from where I live. I'm also trying to have some semblance of a dating life, so I feel like I live out of my car more often than not. It's been hard to not feel as if I have a home base and it's beginning to weigh on me.
Other than that, life has felt very "normal" this year and I'm trying to settle into that. It's not easy for a girl used to high highs and low lows, like the ones of 2018. All-in-all this is a good thing. I'm just learning to navigate it all.
Training.
Ugh. This one is tough to talk about. Mostly because I've been living in it, stressing over it, at times crying over it and I feel like because of that, I over share it. Shout out to my friends here because they've had to hear a lot about my training this year and have been wonderfully supportive. I love you. You know who you are.
Training has been tough for two big reasons: the weather and a lack of training buddies.
The weather this winter and spring have been gnarly. Lots of snow (through JUNE), rain and storms including hail. Conveniently every. single. weekend. The weekends where I've been faced with long days in the saddle. Until this weekend, I've spent the last NINE weekends getting rain/hailed/snowed on on rides. For those of you who don't live at elevation, that means it's also been cold. I don't have the equipment, the money for new equipment, and more often lately, I don't have the patience to put up with that shit. Rides have been cut short. There have been more tears than I can count. It's been rough. And lonely.
The same riding buddies I had last year have either disappeared. (life happens, man) Or the efforts I'm required to put in each weekend result in hard "NO!". Not always, but a lot more than last year. And I totally get it. I often feel crazy and look crazy and that often puts me on an island. I've discovered this about my riding - it's about socialization and experiences with others, so this lonely part has been tough. Then you add shit weather and it's been a challenge.
But we know I love a good challenge!
Ride Update.
I have some work to do as we are 43 days away for our Big Adventure! I'll make another post about the in-depth details, soon, but for now, things are going well. The biggest news is that Hank got a sweet new rig that will allow him to pedal along with me. Check it out:
The front wheel comes off and this bad boy attaches to my bike. We've double and triple check that it will be compatible with my Bianchi so all systems are a go! I'm as excited as I am nervous about this. Hank and his rig weigh more than Noah and his trailer did. It'll be about 140lbs in tow. More weight means more to haul uphill, but also more concerns for descending. I LOVE descending, but with that much weight attached, there is a real fear there.
As we get closer to the ride, I'm getting more excited for sure. I love Hank and his mom, Kathy, and am so looking forward to spending time with them in the mountains for this ride.
I believe in my physical ability, my mental stubbornness, Hank's awesome cheerleading skills, and know we're going to rock this.
We've taken a hit in donations lately. I try not to wear people out with this, but it's also hard to make everyone understand that this needs funding...I can't get it done without financial support. If you've made it this far into this post and have been waiting to donate, we could use your help. Check out our donation link: crowdrise.com/helenandhank
I'll make sure to post more as we start finalizing details. I've missed you and this space.
Life.
In June, I took a full-time position with the CU Anschutz Health and Wellness Center in admin. It was 8 months of back-and-forth and figuring out a place for me to get my foot "officially" in the door there. I love the environment and much of the work that the wonderful people I work with do. I've already learned so much and have begun to carve out a little niche for myself there. Something I seem to be good at--making shit work! I'm excited to be a part of it and I'm hopeful that I'll be able to continue to grow myself and my career where I actually feel valued. Plus! BENEFITS Y'ALL!
I work an hour from where I live. I'm also trying to have some semblance of a dating life, so I feel like I live out of my car more often than not. It's been hard to not feel as if I have a home base and it's beginning to weigh on me.
Other than that, life has felt very "normal" this year and I'm trying to settle into that. It's not easy for a girl used to high highs and low lows, like the ones of 2018. All-in-all this is a good thing. I'm just learning to navigate it all.
Training.
Ugh. This one is tough to talk about. Mostly because I've been living in it, stressing over it, at times crying over it and I feel like because of that, I over share it. Shout out to my friends here because they've had to hear a lot about my training this year and have been wonderfully supportive. I love you. You know who you are.
Training has been tough for two big reasons: the weather and a lack of training buddies.
The weather this winter and spring have been gnarly. Lots of snow (through JUNE), rain and storms including hail. Conveniently every. single. weekend. The weekends where I've been faced with long days in the saddle. Until this weekend, I've spent the last NINE weekends getting rain/hailed/snowed on on rides. For those of you who don't live at elevation, that means it's also been cold. I don't have the equipment, the money for new equipment, and more often lately, I don't have the patience to put up with that shit. Rides have been cut short. There have been more tears than I can count. It's been rough. And lonely.
The same riding buddies I had last year have either disappeared. (life happens, man) Or the efforts I'm required to put in each weekend result in hard "NO!". Not always, but a lot more than last year. And I totally get it. I often feel crazy and look crazy and that often puts me on an island. I've discovered this about my riding - it's about socialization and experiences with others, so this lonely part has been tough. Then you add shit weather and it's been a challenge.
But we know I love a good challenge!
Ride Update.
I have some work to do as we are 43 days away for our Big Adventure! I'll make another post about the in-depth details, soon, but for now, things are going well. The biggest news is that Hank got a sweet new rig that will allow him to pedal along with me. Check it out:
The front wheel comes off and this bad boy attaches to my bike. We've double and triple check that it will be compatible with my Bianchi so all systems are a go! I'm as excited as I am nervous about this. Hank and his rig weigh more than Noah and his trailer did. It'll be about 140lbs in tow. More weight means more to haul uphill, but also more concerns for descending. I LOVE descending, but with that much weight attached, there is a real fear there.
As we get closer to the ride, I'm getting more excited for sure. I love Hank and his mom, Kathy, and am so looking forward to spending time with them in the mountains for this ride.
I believe in my physical ability, my mental stubbornness, Hank's awesome cheerleading skills, and know we're going to rock this.
We've taken a hit in donations lately. I try not to wear people out with this, but it's also hard to make everyone understand that this needs funding...I can't get it done without financial support. If you've made it this far into this post and have been waiting to donate, we could use your help. Check out our donation link: crowdrise.com/helenandhank
I'll make sure to post more as we start finalizing details. I've missed you and this space.
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Buzz kill? Keep on moving!