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2009 Year in Review

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Well, I agree, it’s a tad bit late to do a “year in review” post.  But you know what they say, “better late than never!”  So here goes…a quick little update of whirlwind 2009.  Whew!

January

Got back on my bike after major knee surgery and the good ole’ EB in Fall 2008.  So far in January 2010, I have ridden about 700 miles more than my January 2009 training total.  Granted, I rode about 100 (or less) miles in Jan 09…

February

At this point, February 09 was rather unremarkable.  I am totally ok with unremarkable at this point in my life!  I think I did my first race since surgery – the collegiate race at the Sun Devil Crit.  I also rode the MTB once or twice and hammered my way through school.

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March

I figured by March, having ridden some 200 odd miles (mind you, I’m talking miles here, because I don’t want to share how slow I was ridding said miles by telling you hours), I was ready to race!  Naaatttt!  I did the Tucson Bicycle Classic.  Got dropped.  Got dropped some more.  But somehow, managed to finish with the pack every day.  Anyways, I hate getting dropped, so I started upping the training ante a bit in March, despite the less-than-stellar knee recovery rates.

April

So by April, things were looking up!  I was getting some form and fitness back, school was coming to an end, and I was excited to be racing.  And then it happened.  Crash #1.  In the midst of a lead out at the UA Crit, I ate it in a corner.  Totally my fault.  Good thing I fell towards the non-knee surgery side of my body, and I managed to slide across rather than smack down on the ground.  I had road rash vs. that feeling of being hit by a truck.  Plus, I raced the next day, so things weren’t too bad.  Also, did the Tour of the Gila and didn’t get dropped so much!

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May

May was pretty good.  Collegiate Nationals went really well, and I managed to secure 4th in the road race, 5th in the individual omnium, while the UA got 4th overall in the D1 team omnium!  The Gila fitness boost is good stuff.  Then, Crash #2.  This time it was that feeling of getting hit by a truck instead of lots of road rash.  It was bad, but not so much my fault this time.  I found myself, once again, off the bike, but fortunately my knee was ok.  Although, it was not great prep for big summer racing.  But hey, that’s life.  Oh, and school got out in early May, at which time I was “supposed” to be done with my MA, but wasn’t.  Also, I caught the bouquet at Kyle’s cousin’s wedding…this is somewhat important later in the year.  :-)

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June

Recovered from the bad crash and went to Hawaii with Kyle!  Bike riding?  Not so much…  Working on my MA?  A little bit…  In fact, I don’t really remember what I did in June.  Must have hit my head in May.

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July

Turned in some oh-so-important paperwork to allow me to do my MA research, which I had obviously been procrastinating on.  Mind you, this was active-procrastination (a new term coined by our current housemate), as I am rarely lazy, but not always productive.  I also found myself with a strange breathing problem.  Oh joy, something else to send me to the doctor!  I really did not like the doctor’s office at this point in 09.  Nonetheless, I did Cascade and then Elite Road Nats in Bend, and boy oh boy did I suffer.  But I finished!  And I must say, by this point in 2009, that felt pretty darn good.

August

I rode my bike a bit in August.  In fact, our team won the AZ State TTT Championships.  But I must admit, it was definitely time to crack down and finish that pesky MA thesis.  So I worked on it…a little bit.  At the end of August, I also started working for the Bike Shop Hub up in Flagstaff.

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September

September did not involve bicycle riding, although I did think about it a lot.  I was working close to full-time for Bike Shop Hub and nearly as much on my MA thesis.  This time, I was serious.  I had a deadline.  Deadlines are my friends.  But this deadline was rather scary…October 23 – my defense.  Eek!  So work, work, work.  No bike.

October

Defended my Master’s successfully!  Albeit a few months tardy.  But like I said, better late than never.  I think I rode my bike once.  Kyle also bought a VW bus.  Twice.  Yes, we have two VW buses…

November

I started riding again in November and man, did it feel good.  I had been focused on de-twisting my body from a year of crooked riding post surgery, as well as continuing to strengthen my left leg, which was still a lot weaker than the right one.  I also still had a few loose ends to tie up before graduation in December, so it was a busy month.  We also had a team ride up in Phoenix, and I am pretty psyched to be riding with a great group of women in 2010.

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December

I started riding quite a bit in December.  Unfortunately, I was a tad bit out of shape.  But it’s ok to be out of shape in December in my mind.  So let’s keep it at that, alright?  I “officially” graduated, although I didn’t do the whole walk thing.  I also received an offer to return to school for my PhD, and for some crazy reason, I accepted it.  So yea, that whole graduation thing didn’t last for long.  I am still working for Bike Shop Hub on a part-time basis, but I am back to being a full-time student/cyclist.  And of course, I am saving the best for last.  I GOT ENGAGED!!!  To whom?  Well, you might know him as Hightower or Prolavito or perhaps simply Kyle.  He totally surprised me, and on a mountain bike ride no less!  Can you say brownie points?  He told me he had a “rock in his shoe”, and well, you get the idea!  I don’t have any good, juicy wedding details yet, except to say that it will be sometime in 2010.  You can read about it in the 2010 year in review.  ;-)

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cheers

Go to the Source – melaniemeyers.missingsaddle.com


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