Since my last blog about the books Running and Stuff and Running with the Buffaloes, I've read Pro Cycling on $10 a Day by Phil Gammon; Find a Way by ultramarathon swimmer Diana Nyad; and Life Outside the Oval Office by rebellious-in-a-good-way track star Nick Symmonds. All those books were great and I'd highly recommend them. In addition, I worked on two puzzles that, with help, are both complete! It's nice to do things that don't require an outlet or Wifi!
Christmas was great. My main unwrap-able gift was a pair of Louis Garneau insulated bib tights for cycling (the real gift was the life slow-down and time with family and friends). Too bad the temps were in the 60s and 70s most days, but I took full advantage of that by riding in shorts and short sleeves, fueled in part by holiday cookies.
Speaking of cookies, no holiday is complete without some cookie baking at our house as well as with Oma. My favorites from our collection were the oatmeal cranberry cookies and I really did pack them on my long rides and runs. What a treat!
Oma makes the BEST gingerbread
I pass up no opportunities for dressing up a bit and got festive for some of my sessions.
I had a Merry Zwiftmas on the bike trainer. It was December 23, there weren't many women on, but it was still fun to earn 1st OA, QOM, and two Sprint wins. It was not ideal "race prep" for the 5K the following day, but no matter!
After Christmas the kids and I took a quick trip to the Cleveland area to see my sister and two of my nieces. My other niece and nephew were back at work and home. Coach Jim knows I enjoy my runs along the lake and he put a nice 90 minute run in there for me! (Always looking out for me!!)
My dad came up for the day too, so it was a nice time with the family!
With my dad and sister
It's been a wonderful holiday!! I plan to be a bit like the cat for the next few days - lazy, and laying around on tissue paper (maybe not that second part) - for a few more days before jumping back into the whirlwind of life!
Enjoy the fading remains of 2015!!
