The Best Part So Far

My longest day yet this year! I had a good friend in mind when I was cruising along and her courage inspired me to work harder and not give up despite the three rain storms and multiple hours of road dirt I had to eat!




Thursday Night Ride - Aka, the "fast" ride! I was scared, but I hung in there and was so glad I did!




Little self photo op at the Thursday night ride




The Friday group! Jack, his girlfriend, Ten, Me!, Howard and Curtis!

Today we finished off the group ride and then Curtis and I headed to Matanza Inlet near St. Augustine. Great ride and had some beautiful views! Lots of fisherman!

Fellow Triathlon Bloggers and super cool chicks, Chloe & Libby met me for a great dinner and lots of fun tri / life discussions! Had a blast ladies!

I've been trying to figure out how to sum up my last weeks here training in Florida. It's a difficult thing to do because so many parts Have influenced me and really allowed me to take a step back and realize just how lucky I am to have this opportunity. I don't take it lightly, at all.

I suppose the biggest thing that has struck me is how fun it's been to see my Mom and spend time with her, meet new people and really get chance to see what I was made of with some very experienced and talented cyclists.

I never dreamed I'd spend four Friday rides down here with 30+ people and really get to improve my handling skills / get some great "pulling" in on the front of a group like that! I also never thought I would meet and become so attached to the great group of people in town through "The Bike Shop" and I'm really going to miss them!

These are a few pictures from my time with some really cool people! I've enjoyed it so very much and I'm forever grateful for their hospitality and including me in their rides etc. The masters swim group has been awesome too and I'll definitely be coming down next year to see them again I hope!

I am leaving this training block with some amazing memories, definitely some new friends and a few glimpses of what I'm capable of on the bike. When push came to shove, I was seeing some miles per hour that I've never seen on flats before. I think it was due to my "group" relying on me to pull them and I was so much stronger than I ever could have been alone. When you don't want to let people down it's a game changer isn't it?? I'm sure you know exactly what I mean!

All in all, I really couldn't have asked for anything more. I learned a lot about myself and a lot about these exceptional people. It's time though folks.. this chick is ready for her own bed, her husband, her house, and her friends!

Tomorrow I head out for a 13 hr jaunt Northbound!

Many of the FYP athletes are racing tomorrow so it should be an exciting day! Can't wait to get those phone calls on the results!

Hope everyone else is having great training, but even more so, enjoying life. I just keep singing that song in my head this week "Oh this has got to be a good life, a good good life!"

Thanks for everything Jack & Curtis! You guys really made my trip! Proud to be an honorary member of the bike shop and hope to see you next year! Thanks for reading!