The past month has went by really fast. It seems like just yesterday it was Halloween. Now Thanksgiving has come and gone, and Christmas will be here before I know it. Time sure does fly once the Holidays hit.

I’ve been spending my time doing light training. Still very much in the off season, I’m just now starting to get in to a consistent structured week. Generally every week I have become more consistent, which is good. I’m building in the right direction at least!

It’s also good to be back in the gym with my strength coach, John Cowell. John is such a great influence on me- he is a true positive role model for all of his athletes. I love working out at his gym, Concious Fitness, because it’s quiet and I can get in a quality workout without fighting the crowds at a bigger YMCA or membership gym. It’s also just cool to be there, and be around John. You just get this attitude that you’re going to have the best workout of your life, and it really helps you focus and gives you this feeling of a higher purpose. Needless to say, everytime I leave the gym I always feel more confident and stronger- both mentally and physically.

I did do one mountain century with my friend, Amy Slater, in early November. It was so cold!! I don’t know why I decided a mountain century at the beginning of winter would be a great idea, but I did it. Especially with the little bit of biking that I had been doing, that was a TOUGH ride. The climbs weren’t bad. They were all highway grade, except for one. It had to be one of the longest rides of my life. I am just thankful that Amy kept me company and encouraged me to keep going. I was so happy that I finished! And, of course, we had a fun time talking the entire drive to and from Raleigh, so that was nice too.

The rest of my days (on a bike) have been spent on the trails here in the Triangle. Yeap, mountain bike trails… it’s been so much fun. I’ve been out to the trails with some friends who are good mountain bikers and they’re helping me with my technical skills. I’m enjoying it a lot, and that’s really important this time of year.

I’ll update again soon. Until then, happy training! Enjoy yourself and try not to get too crazy with the Holiday Rush!

ps. You have to try a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks if you haven’t had one yet this year. They are SO good. It’s my new favorite treat after a workout.

I’ve been tagged to list 5 things that you may not know about me by Alicia Parr. Okay, this is quite a task. I feel like I’m a really boring person, so I’m sorry it’s taken me a while to come up with these.

1. I was born in Sylva, NC while my dad was still in college at Western Carolina University. I actually went to class with him a few times as a baby. So I went to college before I went to kindergarten!
2. I love to make things. I’m creative, and I enjoy painting, sewing, quilting, knitting… you name it. I like to just teach myself how to do things, so I have a small collection of art supplies in my house so I can make things when I want. I’ve painted several canvases that we have in our house. Mostly pictures of the North Carolina mountains… because that is my favorite place on Earth.
3. So that’s my third thing- the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains are my absolute most favorite place on the planet. I would live there, die there. After all the places I’ve traveled, there still is no comparison.
4. I never want to live in a big house. I hate the idea of a huge house. The idea of “the bigger the better” just isn’t my personality. Rather, I’d prefer a smaller, more intimate house with lots of detail in the architechture. I’m a big fan of the “Not So Big House.”
5. I listen to Hip Hop/Rap music. This annoys Joe to no end… but I can’t help it.

Now I have to “Tag” five other people to do this crazy exercise. I tag: Courtney Brown, Greg Little, Clara Beard, Holly Borowski, and Jerry Cody.

This was really hard for me to do, so I’m glad I’m done!