Here's a picture of my nephew Darin with Gradie my dad's new pygmy goat.

My first time on a paddle board and I was entered into a race. I got put on a strong team and we won. It was so fun, I got the same rush as when I used to paddle my OC-1. I met an awesome crowd and got invited to do a long paddle on Saturday. The kids were awesome, the learning curve for these boards is very short so it is perfect to get kids hooked. I love the name, YOLO Board, it stands for "You Only Live Once"

The 10K went good, I didn't realize people were dressing up in Halloween costumes it was pretty funny. I was happy if a guy in a dress didn't pass me. I got another T-shirt for my nephew Jordan and free beer and food afterwards. Then we headed to the beach afterward to play frisbee, football and body board, I taught two young kids how to bodyboard it was fun. Today I am going to try a paddleboard race. I never got to try them in Hawaii and they bring demo's out to the race, hopefully it won't be that much different from paddling my one man, the only difference is you stand up on a surf board with a long paddle.


Someone from West Virginia showed up:)


Yes, that is his butt hanging out, he caught me taking a picture.

Surf's up here in Florida, I have been lucky and have got to surf three times since I have been here. It is so different here, there is no reef creating the wave it is just wind waves pushing up against a sand bar with strong currents. I have realized the ocean is like no other, it is amazing. I am looking forward to retiring in Hawaii even more. Poeple get all excited when a storm comes because it is not like this everyday. I run a 10K race tomorrow through Destin, should be fun.

This weekend I was able to meet up with Jennifer, Troy, Tristan and finally meet Lexi. It's been forever since we've seen each other. Lexi was born several weeks early but is doing good and packing on the weight, I think she's up to a whooping 8lbs!!! Jennifer is enjoying her last couple weeks of maturity leave and Troy was in town for a tennis match. They got a sweet new RV so they're rolling in comfort and style! As always the frijole bowl was a great time, of course I drank too much beer and ate too much food. The traditional next morning Stephen breakfast and tea extravaganza was awesome as always. Yea, I forgot to break out the camera!?!?!?

Tristan in the truck

Me and Lexi

Jennifer and Troy's sweet new RV

I talked some cool people from class into doing a 5K this weekend and a 10K next weekend in Destin. I felt pretty good since I have been running in the sand on the beach to get me in shape. Me and this other girl were neck n' neck for first and second, it was really fun. I think my new racing career is going to be 5K's I have never got a trophy this big for cycling. We had a good time and at least I am enjoying cross training until I get back to Tucson. We had a huge stack of pancakes at IHOP afterward, it was more then I usually eat after a 6 hour Mtb race:)

I'm enjoying my 3 day weekend, I'm finally back on the bike after a month off. The knee is better but not 100%, we'll see what happens, I can't wait to start racing again. I finally got straight bars on my campus bike, much better for a commuter. We had a week of awesome weather with highs around 70 in the day and lows in the 40's at night, it's back in the 90's this weekend but hopefully not for long. Tomorrow's the frijole bowl at the Stephen's, should be fun as always, hope to get some good pics.

I have been in Florida less then a week now and made it to the beach this morning. I have almost made it there with running each day and building up my miles. I am only a few miles from the beach and about 5 miles from Destin. I have been really busy with AOC training, but finally got a three day weekend to enjoy the nice weather and beaches. Very little compares to running on the beach barefoot along side of dolphins this morning. I was perma-smile! I took a video, but it was too large too post. I don't have my bikes here, which is good, even though I miss riding, this cross training is good for me. Eventually my goal is to run down to the beach swim and then run back. The beach was really nice, almost comparable to Hawaii, white, fine sand, and blue green water, but no surfing on these tiny waves. Bummer! Maybe a Hurricane will come, so I can surf. Just kidding mom!

Taken off my condo balcony where I am staying.

We made it to the Tour of the White Mountains this past weekend. It's put on by my boy Todd Sadow over at Epic Rides, always top notch events with the coolest people! One day he'll get the timing right to avoid the rain!!! The good news is it held off until the race was over but it ruined the kick ass after party, band and free kegs. I guess that's better than having to do 100 miles of jeep roads like we did two years ago when it rained for a week straight before the event. Spring put the smack down like I figured she would and pulled a 2nd out in the women's class while managing to beat alot of strong guys. I'm still laying low trying to let my knee heal, I can't wait to start training again. She flew out the next morning for Florida so she'll be gone for about a month, not that big of a deal after being apart for 7 months. I only have one more class to complete the first 8 week session of the semester, I can't believe how fast its going. I can almost start to see the light at the end of the MBA tunnel!

Spring about 40 miles in.

Got in a little bit of fishing at A1 lake in the White Mountains, didn't do too good but at least I didn't get skunked!