I always thought I was pudgy.  Gangly, but pudgy.  Turns out, I’m not. Probably have never been. I’d guess I’m normal, like average Strangely, even though I don’t train like I used to, I’ve gotten smaller.  I eat as much, drink more wine, and sit more.  How the heck does that happen? Well, it doesn’t.

I’ve been tricked into thinking that I’m tiny by vanity sizing.  My experience at Macy’s last night indicated that I now wear a size XS top and my pant size is 4 (when they’re long enough).  A few years ago, training full time, I wore a M top and size 10 pants, in fact, I pretty much have worn that size for the bulk of my teenage/college/adult life.  Now, all of a sudden, I’ve shrunk.  Then, as I was leaving, I took a look at the mannequins in the window and to my surprise, they were portly.  If I wear an XS, what do little people wear?  And if I wear an XS, who the heck wears an XL?

This diet plan is the best! I’m gonna call it the Put Your Head in the Sand, America! Diet Plan. Can’t wait til I’m miraculously a zero.

To the skinny, counter-culture freaks swimming in your clothes,

BB

This guy’s dad, Marcel, taught me how to ride and race in 1994 on my first road bike in Bozeman, Montana..  If I remember correctly, TeeJay was maybe six years old and had his first bike, too.

I’m so thrilled to see your success!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Tcp5OmQOzM

I am fairly certain that no one even checks anymore, but, in light of a few emails asking me, I thought I’d give a brief discription of why I don’t contribute to my blog much these days.

First of all, although I know my blog had little to nothing to do with cycling in the first place, it still was technically a cycling site.  That being the case, I don’t race anymore, so I’m having a hard time coming up with any Ride, Race, or Rice fodder to make fun of or complain about.  For the most part, I ride my trainer in the early mornings and run or hike later. It’s just enough to keep me from jumping off the bridge that I walk across most days on my way to work.

Which is the second reason: I work.  I know, it’s been forever (literally) since I’ve had a career.  My other life has been as a designer and I am finally of the right mindset to point my career in the direction I want it, and have the energy and motivation to continue down the path of financial and personal success.   Having several big, exciting, historical, and expensive projects in the works keeps me always looking forward and scheming the details of how I’m going to swing it all. Sounds strange to me, ’cuz for the last several years there wasn’t much I cared about other than me and making me happy during whatever fleeting moment I happened to be living in. The tide has turned and I can actually think about me tomorrow, or me next month, or me next year, as opposed to me tonight. I also kind of wonder who googles me professionally and how this blog looks to them.

Which brings me to the next reason: I have a boyfriend.  It’s been almost five years since that phenomenon occured.  ‘Course there were people that I cared about along the way, but no one that could potentially make an impact on the way I lived, or inspire me to unpack my bags.  It’s nice, but I’m no good at it.  Like most everything I do, I want to get better at what I do, so I’m thankful to have found a guy that is patient enough to give me a minute or two to learn how to be a little less self-centered.

Then there’s school.  I’m in my second year in my Master’s program at the Academy of Art in San Fran for Interior Architecture and Design with an emphasis on Green / Sustainable Design.  I will be among the first LEED certified interior designers in the state of Montana. I’m taking classes full time, but will take the summer off and sit for the LEED exam.  I’m hoping that will also lead to consulting opportunities, as well. This program is no picnic and for the first time in my life, I find I have to do the homework.  My deadlines are Mondays at midnight, so most of my weekends are reserved for facing the backlash of procrastination.

And finally, at the bottom of the list is cycling and other sporting activities.  I ride when I can escape, but shy away from things like The Hell Ride because my head isn’t racing anyone.  My head is,however, into escape and being relatively healthy. I’ve been known to sleep in before work, then cancel a workout for happy hour.  But, more often than not, I’m known to ride before work SO I can participate in happy hour(s). I did jump into a 10km run last weekend on a whim and found out what my genetic ability is as a 10 km runner.  At 46 minutes, I was a mere 9 minutes off my PR.  Turns out training does do something, after all, especially in terms of pain management.

I miss the clowns I’ve hung with for the past several years and wish you all the best. Keep me posted as to your whereabouts.

Kisses, hugs, and an occasional shove into the fencing,
BB