Back in action

What a lengthy and healthy breather away from blogging. I know you have missed my almost daily musings on this site, but I am back in action ready to generate some pedaling goodwill. Let me fill you in on what I've been doing lately. It's partly cycling and partly personal, both scenarios performed differently than in years past. Change usually doesn't come about from within only, so I have relied on others to coax me into a different approach and thought process.

I took over three weeks off the bike after my last race in Greenville. I goofed off a lot, relaxed, drank wine, did some yoga, and yeah I worked a little. I finally hit the wall of sluggishness and had to get back on the bike just to start feeling normal again. On Wednesday, November 8th I began going out and spinning the wheels for no more than an hour each day. These non-structured rides gave me a chance to breath some fresh air and have fun.

The following Monday, November 13 marked two important beginnings. First, it was day one of official training. Second, more importantly, it marked the start of Birthday Week!

I will work in reverse fashion and explain Birthday Week first. Last Friday the 17th was my big day to turn the calendar page, but this year I was encouraged to begin the celebration on Monday and go through Sunday (because you know, the training week is Mon-Sun!). I had never really celebrated my birthday before preferring to not make a big deal out of it. Well, I have to say it's a helluva lot more fun to make a big deal out of it! Not just that one day, but all freakin' week!

We scoured through the Nashville Scene and All the Rage to come up with ideas to celebrate. When that was over we had a week's worth of events mapped out, much like a strict training plan. The end result was a mixture of at-home activities as well as out-and-about activities that were memorable. It's not like we painted the town red or anything, but like I said, it's 10 times more than I've ever done for my birthday.

Here's a taste of what was soaked in during Birthday Week: the movie Borat, a Belcourt Theater comedy called Matt and Ben, a musical comedy at Bongo After Hours called Doyle and Debbie, a pilates reformer class at Simply Pilates, pasta night, chili night, breakfast at Bread & Company, and DVD movies Looking for Kitty and Syriana that included lots of stove-top popcorn. Everyone one of these I would recommend to you, especially Matt and Ben and Doyle and Debbie, hilarious!

There's a lot I am leaving out within Birthday Week that was a lot of fun, but those were the highlights. If you've got an upcoming birthday and looking for ways to celebrate all week then email me and I can put together a "training" plan!

Now, speaking of training plans, mine has official started for the 2007 season. I am super excited about training this winter. There's no drudgery or dread, but only enthusiasm for turning the pedals in anger next spring. I have hit the weight room lightly and incorporated my usual yoga routine, but I have also stepped up the pilates action as well. I've done quite a few pilates mat classes in the past, but the reformer class at Simply Pilates was exactly the kind of workout I'm looking for.

So now that Birthday Week is over and I'm back in training mindset you can expect to hear more from NashvilleCyclist.com on the CycleBlog!