It was kind of a crappy week. Again. Work wasn't really any better. Barkernews was still out of town. And my toddler vomited all over me for a couple of days. I was the world's worst mom and tried to will her better, but when we attempted to the drive out to Heiser Farms so I could race, she promptly vomited all over the back seat of the car.
We both cried. Again. The faucets have been flowing pretty liberally around here.
To stop my ridiculous pity party (god, I am such a pathetic single parent), I hopped on my bike trainer while the sick kid slept and I rode hard. I hate my bike trainer times a million, but at least I got some frustration out.
Sunday came and with it, pissing rain and the chance to race. Hizz felt better. I felt anxious to get out of the house. We made the one hour drive to Rainier in 45 minutes (don't tell Barkernews) and I raced in the thick, gooey, peanut buttery mud. I put my racing anxiety away in a deep, dark corner and did what I know how to do: just keep pedaling.
I am not kidding when I say that bikes + mud= good for the soul. It was a tough race, with a wicked uphill and mud that caused most racing chicks to dismount and run and run and run instead of ride. But it was so much fun and so worth it. Something about getting your heart rate up to 190 and straining those hip flexors really makes everything right in the world.
Then Barkernews came home and everything was good.
Even better times ahead.
Here is what I looked like on Sunday, one giant bug:
(Photo courtesy of Dave Roth)
