One Year

A year ago, today, I said an extremely tearful goodbye to my family and got on a plane for Denver, Colorado.  I cried all through security, to my gate and then would randomly burst into tears on the plane.  I might have looked slightly unstable. The array of emotions was overwhelming.  There was an extreme amount of guilt, sadness but also excitement, happiness.  It was almost too much to process as I sat smothered in the middle seat.

I didn’t have a lot of time to think when I landed, I needed an apartment.  I had 5 days to get settled before I started my new job. We managed to find one within hours of landing thanks to weeks of extensive research and color coordinated spreadsheets.  The next morning, it really hit me. I remember sitting in the living room of our friends’ house at 5:30 in the morning, in tears (I cried a lot those first few days), trying to figure out how much it would cost me to cancel this whole thing and head back to Miami. I have never been more afraid and unsure of “what was next” than at that very moment. As soon as I signed this lease, it was real.  I told myself at least a year, I could make it a year. The next couple of days were a whirlwind of Ikea, Bed Bath & Beyond and furniture stores.  I didn’t have a lot of time to think, just do. 5 days later, I was as settled as I was going to be and my boyfriend was heading back. There I was, completely alone, in a half-furnished apartment.  The first few weeks were odd, it didn’t feel real. I am forever grateful for the few friends I had here, they made those first months feel normal and were a huge help.

There are days I miss my family and friends so much, I still wonder if I made the right decision. It’s not all beautiful mountain views, as much as my Instagram probably says otherwise.  It’s lonely, it’s hard watching my niece grow up over the phone and not in person, it’s taking a lot of adjustment.  I’m still working through a lot of the guilt.  At the same time, I feel like this move saved my sanity, my relationship and my career. I’ve never felt so at peace. I actually feel like it’s revitalized my career.  I enjoy coming to work, what I do and the ability to be creative and implement my ideas.  I have the freedom to make decisions and don’t have anyone constantly breathing down my neck. I’m allowed to make mistakes, learn from them and find ways that they don’t happen again.  It is now clear what a great boss can do for a career.   Work life balance is a thing here, it’s real, not just something you read about on social. There is something about the mountains that gives me peace and freedom. A couple of hours with no cell service and you’re refreshed. I love where I live, the life we’re building here and yes, even the snow. I know that I made the right decision for me, for my future.

It was a process to physically get here and a process to continue to adjust. If you’re contemplating something big and scary but know it’s right for you, I recommend going for it. Nothing worth having comes easy, right? ~AddingMoMiles

Fashionably Late, Hello 2018

Last day of January, so how are those resolutions going?  I cheat, I tend not to make resolutions. It’s not to say I don’t set goals for the new year or “focuses.” I would like to note that the end of the year came with a pretty massive change and goal met.  Could I just carry that over into 2018 and call it a day?

2017 was a funny year.  My cynical side would love to say that it was awful and I’m so glad it’s over.  I was ready to move past it but it was equally great as it was difficult.  I went into 2017 with what felt like a career blow and reached a breaking point. Then there was all time highs, literally and figuratively.  Of course, it wasn’t without it’s lessons and those are always a plus, regardless of how they’re learned. (or whatever the quote says)

2017 lessons in a nutshell (note: I could have done without some of these universe, thanks)

The more you push down what you’re feeling, the more it’s going to come at you with a vengeance. You are disposable to people, whether romantic or friendships. What you must know, it’s not you (usually), it’s their issues. Fear is strong enough to let you ruin what’s meant for you (son of a bitch). I love this aunt thing and it taught me to love way beyond myself. Throw away your plan, throw away your back up plan. Jump. Your happiness may come at the expense of someone else’s. Colorado is everything I expected it to be. Croquetas are irreplaceable.

I usually start the year planning races, labeling their level of importance, figuring out base mileage.  That’s not happening.  That’s not saying I don’t plan to race or prepare of them.  But I just needed to bring it down a bit for the time being, explore my new home.  I don’t want to feel forced to train, when what I really want to do is find a new trail to roam. I’m sure this will be short lived and there’ll be a training post soon, knowing myself, but in the meantime, I haven’t found a trail I don’t love.

It sounds cliché, but I’m ready to do 2018 differently.  I may not have a resolution but I do have some words that I want to focus on.  Balance, consistency, freedom.  They don’t really go together, I understand that but it makes sense to me. So whenever I feel things (life, etc) pulling me away from these aspects, I need to pull myself back to them. Regardless, I know 2018 will be great.  I mean, it started with mountain views and my partner in crime. Looks like the miles I’ll be adding this year will be climbing. ~ AddingMoMiles

Oh Colorado

Oh Colorado, you are pretty.  I’ve been here about 6 weeks and I’m absolutely in love with it.  Yes, it’s cold.  Yes, I’m usually the one in the room wearing the most layers.  Yes, my dog is petrified of falling snow.  We are Miamians at the end of day.  Everyday there’s something new to adjust or learn about living here.  Colorado is not without its quirks.

Colorado, what is up with your weather?  Make up your mind.  I went from wearing a dress one day to looking like the Michelin Man the next morning.  It’s 19 degrees in the morning and 55 by 2pm.  That’s almost a 40-degree difference in one day.  Hey look snow, from where?  Every day is a new adventure trying to find out the perfect amount of layers.  It’s a science and I get a new level of accomplishment if I get right. Note to self: always look at the “feels like” temperature.

Colorado, the land of nice people.  I’m still skeptical.  Why are you so happy?  What do you want from me?  Why are you saying hi? Everyone introduces themselves.  I know my neighbors, we wave hi and say good morning (wtf).  I need to make a conscious effort to be nice because well, I’m from Miami.  We don’t exactly do that. But as friendly as people are, personal space is a very serious thing.  There is no cheek kissing, hugs.  I’m almost sure that’s considered some form of harassment.  How exactly am I supposed to say hi to people if I can’t give a kiss?   So I just show up and awkwardly wave, while secretly wanting to give out hugs and kisses.

Guess what, people kind of know how to drive.  Driving the speed limit is a thing here, not for me yet but others.  Turning signals mean something.  Who knew that when you put it on, the person will actually let you in and not speed up to close the gap.  I haven’t even been honked at once.  Come to think of it, I haven’t used my horn in weeks… and I LOVED my horn.  The noise soothed me.  Colorado, the land of bike lanes and trails.  I rode for the first time on Sunday.  People yield to cyclist, it’s another thing. I didn’t get honked at, cursed, run off the road. Got a couple of waves though.

Yes, Colorado is beautiful but you can’t turn a blind eye to it’s lack of Latin food.  I miss croquetas, like in my soul.  The ability to find cafecito on almost any corner.  Yes, I get that expresso is the “cafecito” here but it is most definitely not the same.  Someone just ship me some damn croquetas. There are delicious Mexican restaurants but I need more than that in my life.  Some whole in the wall Peruvian, arepas filled with deliciousness. (sigh)

Altitude hurts. It’s a rude awakening.  It’s like breathing through a straw, while climbing up a hill just to get to you apartment.  What goes down, comes up and oh does it comes up.  So, I fear descents, because I know I have to go back up it when I come back. Nothing is flat.  If it feels flat, it’s a false flat, I promise.

Colorado, wtf is up with the Broncos?….and your radio stations….and the Christmas carols.

I can’t lie, it’s a continuous adjustment.  Miami is unique to say the least.  It’s like it’s own country separate from the US. So when you step out of it, there are a lot of learnings, learning the American culture.  Thank you for being so welcoming Colorado. ~ Adding Mo Miles

#MiAtoDEN

I’ve started this post numerous times, deleted it, started again.  Mostly because I wasn’t exactly sure how to put it together.  It’s no secret that for years I’ve been trying to get out Miami.  Even less of a secret that Colorado was a place I wanted to be. So, I’m in Colorado, I made it. Easy right? It’s been quite a process.  Years of process, actually.  Nothing great comes easy or whatever cliché quote that fits here.

Let’s start by saying, if you’re a Cuban woman, you don’t move away from your family.  You’re technically supposed to live with your parents until the right suitor sweeps you off your feet and marries you. I’m surprised my dad doesn’t have to pay a dowry, this mentality is so ancient. How many goats am I worth? So at 15, the thought of actually leaving felt impossible but it was there.  At 20, it became a possibility.  At 23, I was sure I was going to make it happen and oh did I try.  Manager programs at the company I was working for, saving, getting laid off, attempting to save again, moving out of my parents, some love stuff in between, looking for work, visit Colorado (turning point), move back with my parents, saving more, going to be an aunt, decide not to leave, more love stuff, we should try to leave, climactic breakdown, find job, leave. Half of my autobiography in a few short lines.  The point, it was a very long process and not one that came with an easy set of emotions.

I remember hanging up the call of my verbal offer and thinking “oh shit”.  There was relief, so much joy and excitement, accomplishment but equally there was fear, nervousness and heart break.  I was leaving everything I had ever known and those few individuals that were a piece of me.  I knew I was going to hurt my family and it was something that I didn’t know how to process and still kind of am.  It’s hard to do something for yourself, knowing it will hurt other people.  It doesn’t come easy to me, not how I’m wired.  It took a good amount of therapy to be able to make the choice to finally leave, for me. I knew I needed to make a change for a better quality of life and knew that I couldn’t continue to just run on auto, day after day with how unhappy I was.  It took a lot of reflection to realize I’ve been somewhat unhappy for years, finding bandaids to how I felt.  Pouring myself into training and races to not face the bigger issue, finding people to keep me entertained. Until one morning, I just couldn’t get up and face it.  I knew that feeling of suffocation wasn’t just going to go away until I followed what I wanted….to move.  Experience something new, get back my quality of life where I wasn’t working around the clock.

I’m here and absolutely in love with it.  I spent most of the day on the side of some mountain somewhere.  I don’t check work email constantly and I’m usually home by no later than 5:15 but usually 5pm.  It takes me 15 minutes from door to cubicle.  I don’t deal with traffic.  People are actually nice, like strangers say hi…all the damn time.  I have a mountain a view steps from my front door.  Quality of life. That was the goal.  The point of this?  If there’s something you want, go for it, even if it takes 16 years.  There is no shame in reaching out for help, mental health is a thing…not a just millennial thing.  Know that sometimes it takes time, enough to give up on your goals. On that note, #coloradosucksdontcome. ~ Adding Mo Miles

Dear Lia Rose

July 15^th , 4:27am.  That specific time is forever engraved in my mind.  A whole 5lbs 8oz, 18 inches.  A month early, Lia Rose came into this world and pretty much changed my perspective.  She shifted our priorities in a way nothing else can.  Lia Rose forever changed our family. She forever changed me, I’m an aunt now.  There is a human I love more than anything else, than myself.  People tried to explain to me how it would feel but there really aren’t words.  It gets you thinking on things you want to tell her, protect her from.  I hope that one day my sister decides to share it with her (whether she agrees with what I’m saying or not).

Lia, the first thing we want you to know is that you are loved beyond what you can comprehend.  You are loved unconditionally and without question.  Know that you will never be alone, even on days you feel lonely (and you will), but you will always have someone in your corner.

You can’t be anything you want to be. You can be anything you work hard to be.  Nothing is given.  Goals don’t get reached by just setting them, don’t I wish that was the case.  Work hard for what you want.  You will fail, more than once.  You will fall, dust yourself and stand back up.

Be humble, there are few things less appealing than arrogance.  Be kind, it’s something generations are losing and it’s sad.  Don’t be the mean girl; the world has enough of them. Be strong, don’t take shit.  Be respectful, of others, of elders, of yourself, of your body. Be real, be genuine.  These are the qualities that make you beautiful.  These are the traits that will keep your soul happy.  Physical beauty is fleeting and won’t get you far.  Imperfections are beauty.  Love your body and treat it well.

Society is going to try to dictate a lot of aspects of your life; a middle finger is the appropriate answer.  Yes you are a woman but that doesn’t mean you have to fall under stereotypes.  Like pink, don’t like pink.  Be a mechanic, be a teacher, be a CEO. Be whatever you want.  Marry, don’t get married.  Have kids, don’t have kids.  Don’t let the pressure of society mess with your chosen path. Don’t let the pressure of age rush you into something that is not for you. Let it happen when the time is right.  Listen to your gut, it is right.  If it feels wrong, it’s wrong.

Life is hard.  It is really hard but you are tough.  You’re cut from tough cloth.  It’ll kick, push and shove you around.  But it also comes with these pockets of perfection.  Like when you’re sitting on the floor of a new empty apartment with your person, eating Publix cake and drinking wine out of a paper cup.  You know for a fact there’s nowhere else you’re supposed to be.  When you look out at the beach and see you family laughing, happy.  Nothing but that moment matters. Create and cultivate lasting friendships.  You will need your girlfriends.  Real ones that will tell you the honest truth, even when it hurts.  With them, create memories that even 10 years from now make you laugh.  Ask your mom about some of our nights out.

Love hard. Get hurt. Love again. Don’t let heart break make you cold.  Some men will tell you what you want to hear and not mean it.  A few men will mean it.  It’s hard to tell the difference but worse case they become lessons.  Pick the one that shows up.  The one that follows through with his word, not just writes pretty text messages.  Pick that one that picks you up when your car breaks down, holds your hand and rarely raises his voice at you.

Your mom and dad won’t always get it right.  You won’t always get along.  But I can promise you this though, that later in life you’ll catch yourself saying “my parents were right”.  My sister is absolutely insane most days but I have yet to meet someone who loves as much and unconditionally as she does.  Your parents are the only people who will drop everything for you, be kind to them, they have sacrificed a lot.

If nothing else goes right in my life, it’s enough for me to be your aunt and watch you grow. Know that you will always have me.  Know there isn’t anything you can’t come to me for.  Know that I will never judge you. Know that every day you are loved. ~ Adding Mo Miles.

Simple

2016 kind of creeped up on everyone, kind of like that full frontal snapchat you really didn’t expect to get.  I’m torn between good riddance 2015 and impending doom going into 2016.  Everyone always starts with the new year, new me.  Well, I promise I’ll be the same sarcastic pain in the ass in 2016. I’m not a fan of the fact that people wait for a new year for a fresh start.  I had a “fresh start” on a Thursday two weeks ago at 4:46pm.  Your problems aren’t going to disappear when the clock strikes 12, look at Cinderella.  But I get it; let me not burst the magical bubble of unicorns and rainbows of people everywhere.  By my tone, it’s obvious I’m not one for resolutions.  For the most part they last about 5 weeks and then you kind of ghost them.  But I do like to make lists of things I want to focus on going into this year.  We can’t tackle it all, as much as we feel motivated going into the New Year because well, life happens.

This year was hard, challenging, and an all-around character builder.  I’ll spare the gory sob stories.   But I’m sad to see it go because there were some great things sprinkled around between those tough days and the year ended so damn peacefully.   I met people this year that pushed me harder (physically and mentally) and forward in my life.  If it weren’t for those tough times, they wouldn’t have come into my life.  See, the silver lining to the sad stories (insert inspirational quote here).   If there is anything that I learned was the importance of having the right people in your life, never feel bad for saying goodbye to the wrong, the biggest critics are sitting on the couch trolling your world, and PLP (a spanish acronym) is a perfect response to everything and anything.

There is no doubt, to anyone that knows remotely anything about me (and creeps my Instagram), that one of my focuses is training and bike related.  So I’m not going to touch on that, it’s a given.  I’m sure there will be a follow up post of all my tragic cycling moments and power test conquest on a later day.  My focus for 2016 is a mix of simplicity and change.  I don’t mean a new comforter, paint my walls; I’m talking about life altering, mass climate change.  It’s been a long time coming and something I will embrace with open arms, anxiety, and well fear, logically.  Simplicity makes me sound slightly ridiculous (PLP).  It means keeping it all simple: relationships, work, thought process, possessions, goals, people, social media.  It’s not that serious and what worries us now, we won’t even remember in our next new years resolution .   People spend more time being, what do kids call it nowadays? butt hurt?… than focusing on what matters, the Starbucks Christmas cup of course.  So lets appreciate the good, the bad, and the very ugly of 2015, toast to 2016, eat your 12 grapes and make your wishes, wear the yellow undies, throw the bucket of water, stroll your neighborhood with an empty suitcase and lets do this.  Happy New Year.  ~Adding Mo Miles

My 29th Year of Life.

So I’ve entered my last year in my 20’s.   Is this where women start flipping out about getting old?  Maybe it hasn’t hit me that I’m a year away from 30 or I’m kind of ok with it.  Who really liked the awkward, broke years of your early 20s?   I read over my birthday post from last year.  What’s kind of scary is how fast the year flew; because I remember writing that thing like it was yesterday.  So I didn’t accomplish some of the things on there, like my pull-up, I feel that will forever be a work in progress.  But my life has changed what I feel is significantly in the last year and god knows I’ve learned a lot.  Some things by choice, some by life’s kicks in the ass. To celebrate such a blessed occasion I packed up and headed up to Clermont with 2 of my favorites.  We celebrated, we drank, we relaxed, we rode, we climbed.  Climbing up Sugarloaf and doing Buckhill repeats gives you a little time to reflect. So now in my 29^th year of life, here are a few things I’ve learned, random thoughts in my old age.

Laugh, laugh a lot.  I know it sounds silly and mundane but I don’t think we do it as often as we should.

Explore, search, and try new things.  I had to stop being a little bitch and try things I usually wouldn’t.  Get outside your comfort zone.  Break the routine.  The bruises and scratches on my leg from mountain biking are proof I’ve started doing this.

Never let anyone make you feel bad about your body, even jokingly.  Don’t let them make you feel insecure.  Embrace your thick legs, cankles, thigh gaps (lack thereof), big booty or no booty. Your body is yours, it’s meant to take your through life, not be perfect.  Find someone that loves every inch of it, even the ones you don’t like.

Manipulation is hidden in many different ways.  Be careful.

Goals are grueling.  Athletic goals are tough.  They take a lot out of you.  You will get frustrated, you may cry, you will want to quit (multiple times).  But seeing progress, reaching your goal, crossing the finish….it is quite possibly the most rewarding feeling.

We wonder why we go through certain pain and hurt.  Sometimes, it’s to prepare you for a greater difficulty.  So that you come out of the other side quicker, stronger.

The best decision I made this year was adopting this guy.  He came at a perfect time and I couldn’t be more grateful.  A little man filled with so much spirit. Thank you for bringing me a perfect balance of madness, chaos and calm into my life.

Only you can dig yourself out of dark holes.  Even being surrounded by so much support, it is your decision and only you can make the changes to get yourself out of it.

It’s ok to ease up on the career goals if there are other things that you are finding more fulfilling.  The corner office isn’t going anywhere.

When it starts to pour, find a kind person who will share their umbrella who will walk you over to get a grand marnier or grey goose slushy and just enjoy the drink while the storm passes.  You can’t change the circumstance, so you might as well find a way to enjoy it.

The wrong relationship is ten times lonelier than being single and a lot more exhausting.

Drink beer, eat pizza, and enjoy the cupcake….all in moderation.

Women are crazy, some men are crazier.  The faster we all accept this, the easier life will be.

Behind every successful woman, is a tribe of other successful women who have her back.  The women in my life have been my rock.

I will take lots of pictures; I will post as many as I want.  I will ride my bike as much and as long as I want.  I will strut my tan lines.  I will curse. I will always be a little bit of a mess.  Accept who you are, be comfortable in your skin.

Live with joy.  Like honest, annoying those that are bitter, kind of joy.

My only goal for 29 is to live more.  That means something different to everyone.  But I can tell you this, no one is killing my vibe.  ~AddingMoMiles.

Another Tragic Loss

We woke up Wednesday like any other morning.  Alarms went off before the sun, we sluggishly put on our kits, clipped our helmets, grabbed our bikes and headed for our morning ride.  A row of blinking red lights, the sound of freewheeling, and good morning banter…what we consider a good start to any morning.  We make our way over the bridge and towards Bear Cut only to see an unusual amount of traffic.  “The street is closed, please turn around.” You take the detour without thinking twice…until someone tells you a cyclist was involved.  Your heart automatically drops to your stomach.  Is it someone you know, or worse, someone you love… you call, you text and make sure you’ve gone through the list.  But what doesn’t immediately cross your mind is that your family and friends at home are doing the same thing.  You let your dad know before he sees it on TV, sister tracking you down, friends messaging, co-workers relieved to see you at your desk.  The rest of the day you comb media outlets for updates on names, what happen, anything you can find.  This hit too close to home.  One cyclist dead, the other in critical condition.  The story doesn’t change, drunk driver swerved into the bicycle lane.

For the last 24 hours it’s been the battle of cyclist versus motorist and vice versa.  I wrote about this months ago “Dear Motorist” and it’s sad that it takes such a tragedy to bring to light the dangers of Miami roads.  Every time we walk out the door for a ride, there’s always the possibility of not coming back.  There is always the fear and feeling in your gut.  It’s not something we like to think about, but it’s a reality.  I spent yesterday reading how cyclist shouldn’t be on the road, how cyclist are the problems, how we think we own the road.  All of this on a thread of an article of a father who was tragically killed by a drunk driver.  It was disgusting and sad.  I tell you this; there are cyclists who don’t respect much of anything.  I can say that I’ve taken the occasional red light and rolled thru a stop sign.  But there is the occasional motorist who is texting, who roll thru the same stop sign, and who drive drunk.  They are both at fault for their actions.  But at the end of the day, the car always wins.  So to motorist we ask you to kindly share the road.

The solution for these kinds of tragedies is not, not to ride.  The solution is not to find safer places to ride or select specific times where it is safer to ride.  The solution in my mind is to ride more.  To grow the sport, to teach motorist the appropriate way to pass, to educate on the laws, to have officials impose slower speeds in areas we know cyclist use as their stomping grounds.  On any given weekend morning in Key Biscayne, cyclist and fitness enthusiast alike out number motorists.  City officials have to see this growing problem and reach a solution.  There should be an increase in police presence, but with officers that actually support the law and rights of cyclist.  I’ve had my fair share of law enforcement that honestly could give a damn.  To you, we thank you for “serving and protecting.” Tragedies like this will not stop until there is a change in the mindset of Miami’s population and city officials that cycling is part of this city and that we aren’t going anywhere.  If anything, we are growing in numbers.  Each of those cyclists is a human, a sister, father, mother, and daughter.  Value human life. Think twice before you fly by them inches from their elbow, before you look down at that text, before you get in the car after that 4^th drink.  We have every right to the same road you’re on, we are just using our legs to move us in the same direction you’re heading. How many more cyclist have to be hit and killed before something is done?

I didn’t know Walter Reyes but we all still ride with heavy hearts.  The cycling community has suffered an unnecessary and very sad loss.  My condolences to him and his family.  We hope Henry Hernandez recovers and gets well soon.  This should not be another tragic loss but a wakeup call to cyclist and motorist alike.  Cyclist will not stop riding, we will not get off the road, and we will not pick better times to ride.  If anything we will continue fight for our legal right to be on the road.  Like a friend quoted today, “courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyways” ~AddingMoMiles

The Not so Resolution, Resolution.

We’re 16 days into the New Year; many of us have looked at our resolutions post and wonder how we already went wrong.  It was a plague of “new year, new me”. I wonder why we wait for new years to better ourselves, but that’s a philosophical question for another post. So in true fashion, I evaluated “resolutions” that I could and maybe should make for the New Year.  I realized that most I will not keep, nor will I try.  I probably made them in 2008, 2009, another attempt in 2011, and failed miserably in 2013.  So in 2014 I focused on two goals, not a resolution.  One was to better my career.  Six months of about 210 resumes sent, 130 e-mails, and about 25 interviews, I am sitting in a job that a genuinely enjoy.  My second goal was to do something I considered really epic.  I wasn’t sure what, but I wanted it to be memorable.  So I signed up for an Ironman.  290 hours of training later and that goal was completed.

Failed resolutions included mundane things like eat less dessert.  Who are we kidding?  Get abs…please refer to previous resolution.  Cut back on coffee, this would never lead to a positive outcome. Religiously get mani and pedi’s (never.going.to.happen.). Call my mother more.  I try, I really do.  Make better romantic/relationship decisions.  But then life would be so extremely boring. Control my sarcasm.  I’ve learned it’s just part of my charm.  Make sure my room is always organized; after all I’m a grown woman. It’s just too exhausting, so some days my bed will not be made.  Curse less, skip out on pizza, drink less beer…just plain miserable.  I’ve learned through my many years of failed resolutions that none of these things make me a better person, athlete, or really help me grow as a human.  Most of them just make me grumpy and possibly less tolerable.

AMEN.

So for 2015, I don’t have resolutions because life improvements started months ago.  So I’ll just challenge myself to do more this year.  Put in more miles, double 2014.  Ride my bike more.  Run more, lift more, climb more, hell do more burpees.  Do more epic shit. Love more, laugh more, and add some  more kindness.  If it scares me, do it.  If I have to seriously deep dig to accomplish it, do it.  If it makes me stronger, do it. If a race is going to hurt, do it.   Stop thinking, doubting, over analyzing.  If it isn’t for me, get rid of it.

This year is a little different.  I am apparently supposed to have all my races for the year selected and planned but that really isn’t the case.  I’m actually kind of torn and have taken a bit of a detour.  I am genuinely enjoying my road bike.  Yes, there are a few triathlons I plan to do but what I’m really excited are road races.  I’m looking forward to learning more, riding smarter, and putting in more time.  New experiences, like the possibility of a Team Betty 2015 training camp and some tough rides.  “Turn the pain into power.”~ AddingMoMiles

Count Your Blessings

Food comas and food babies plagued people all over the US last night, myself included.  Actually I still have a food bump this morning…and I’m ok with this.  I was lucky enough to be surrounded by lots of love this holiday and two of my favorites.  I say it that way because most of my life I wasn’t able to.  It’s not a tradition my family participated in.  Last Thanksgiving didn’t go as planned, and wasn’t exactly filled with love but that’s a story for another day.  So before we dug into the grub, someone at the table asked what we were thankful for…and it got me thinking:

• How much and how little my life has changed.
• My friends and the women who surround me.  The family I got to pick and that have been there so much for me, especially these last two years.  I’m still waiting for our reality show contract.
• My family, we are a circus of crazy (and I’m an active participant in this crazy) but there is not a group of people that can make me feel so absolutely loved as they do.  My sister is on speed dial, you know incase I ever have to hide a body.  My mom, she’s the ring leader of crazy, is an example of real strength.  My old man, he keeps me grounded.
• My health.  No matter what I put my body thru (A LOT), it keeps going, keeps fighting.  I’m lucky to be able to do what I do, train and race. I know that one day, that won’t be the case.
• The mental and physical strength I’ve reached this year.
• Ironman, sometimes you lose yourself in what you love…sometimes you find yourself.
• Pizza, of all meanings.
• The little home my roommate and I have built.  Sometimes messy, but it’s ours.
• Finding a job I am genuinely enjoying, where my opinion actually matters and coming into the office isn’t so bad (though I rather be on the beach)
• Cold sand…just feels nice between your toes.
• My training buddies, jungle buddies, Jungle Fitness, Reaction, All4Cycling, all of it. Where else can I find someone as insane as myself?
• Whatsapp.  Don’t judge.
• Coffee.  I don’t even have to explain this.
• Motivational quotes.  Not all of us may post them, but I know all of you love to read them.  Your secret is safe with me.
• Love and losing it. You learn a lot about yourself.
• Team Betty.  Now, representing this brand is beyond great.  But what I wasn’t expecting was the impact of getting to know some of these women, their story and their strength.  It’s humbling and motivational.
• My bike, how did my bike end up so low on this list??
• Champagne and orange juice…yes mimosas, which of course is included in brunch.  Again, don’t judge me.

This list can continue on and on, may have even forgotten a few important ones.  I know that some of them sound mundane and a little silly but it’s kind of the little things that make you happy you have to be grateful for.  We can’t always control health or peoples actions but we can have things that just kind of make it easier to get by (yes I’m talking about coffee).  Its things that without, you wouldn’t exactly be as happy as you are.  Do you know how many great moments I’ve had around a few glasses of mimosas?  I found out about the first baby in my group of girlfriends over mimosas.  We were having them, momma to be wasn’t.  I’ve had some of the greatest conversations and laughs over a cup of coffee.  I’m a lucky girl. ~AddingMoMiles.