HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

In keeping with last year, I got up early and went to run the Drumstick Dash!  My main goal today was to see to it that my trainer and good friend Lisa made it to the finish line in her first and probably only 5k.  I had a great time, and she made it to the finish line and actually smiled afterwards.  =)  Great job Lisa!!!!  I'm already looking forward to next year's Drumstick Dash!!!  This year there were 11,500 people registered to run/walk and it looked like most everyone showed up!  Great crowd, but very well organized event!  Good times!!!

Ramblings...

I love riding my bike, and I'm pleased with my progression so far in acquiring my Master's Degree; but oh I miss riding my bike.  Got out for a 12 mile ride (1hr29min)  today at the Cove.  It felt slow, difficult and challenging; yet it was extremely fun.  I guess I shouldn't beat myself up about my abilities, as I'm grateful that I am able to ride.  I really wish I could ride longer, faster and smoother.  I guess I have something to build on yet again.  Of course, now it's fall, daylight savings time has left us.  I will try to ride some in the evenings, but since I had the one light stolen, I'm left with a helmet light that isn't the greatest and a replacement handlebar light that I've yet to try in the woods.  I am not going to set any goals - long or short term.  I'm out of school until January 3rd, so I hope to get out each weekend for a bit of mtb'ing.  I'd like to go to different places each week, but we'll see.  So far, I have been to Montvale and Carvins Cove.  Will have to see what next weekend looks like, I might go back to the Explore Park as I haven't been there in a long time.  I'd like to go to Bedford and Lynchburg; but those both require more planning and ideally someone else to ride with.  I'm also going to be running the Drumstick Dash on Thanksgiving Day again.  I ran it last year with a bit more preparation, so we'll see how that works.  HA HA!  Planning to run after work tomorrow to see if I can actually run 3 miles without going into Cardiac Arrest.  

Leafy

Ok so Cliff has inspired to me to try to blog more.  I do think have a good excuse with school though.  Yesterday I decided to go ride at the trails in Montvale and was joined by my very good friend Tim.  It's always fun to hang out with Tim and he usually mountain bikes once a year.  Last time he rode in the woods was a year ago with me in Bedford.  HA HA.  I tossed out the idea of riding on Facebook hoping that a few people would bite, but no one did.  Oh well, they missed a fun, leafy ride.  

The leaves always make things interesting.  They cover the trail so you can't see exactly where you're going unless you're paying really good attention or the trail is obvious.  It also makes things a bit more slick.  Both of these factors led to a pretty cautious and slow ride which was fine with me since I am just not in the best biking shape.  We found ourselves off trail on a few occassions.  Once or twice, I think I wound up making a new path.  OOPS, sorry Kenny.  

As far as Montvale goes, I do like the trails, they are simple enough and challenging enough.  There are plenty of opportunities to go fast which I didn't really do a lot of and of course there are a few things that I can't do.  I swear I will ride across that skinny, flat bridge one of these days.  Both times I approached it yesterday my brain said no.  I don't get it, It's easier than the other stick-made, uphill bridge, but for some reason I freeze.  I've ridden similar bridges just fine too.  Oh well, reason to go back!  As far as the crazy uphill climb.  I started off from a dead stop because I couldn't make the switch back at the bottom, but then I climbed all the way to the with in 10 feet of the uphill right hand switchback before I ran out steam.  

Beales Treasure didn't quite kick my butt yesterday, but again I think I made my own trail at a few points.  Anyway!  We ended up making a loop then riding back down the access road and back tracking a trail or two to make up a 8.5 mile ride.  I think we did alright considering the conditions.  I certainly can and have ridden longer and farther as has Tim, but it was getting cool and I didn't want to have to climb back up to the parking lot again.  Such is riding for leisure!

Looking forward to the next opportunity to ride next Sunday.  Time changed and I'm not quite ready to go night riding and leaves yet, but we'll see.  I'm almost done for this term (only have to take my final exam and turn in one last assignment) then I get 6 weeks out of school.  Hoping to hit the trails every weekend while I'm out!!! 

Flood of 1985

Friends - if you have time the next few days, go check out WDBJ7's coverage of the Flood of 1985.  As a life long resident of Roanoke, I remember this all too well.  My home was flooded with about 18-20" of water, and I was left pretty much homeless.  As an 11 soon to be 12 year old, let me assure you this was a life-altering event.

I remember being stuck at school for a long time without being able to flush toilets or drink from the fountains.  I know that I ended up at my grandparents houses at some point before we could get back home and then the drive seemed incredibly long as we couldn't go our normal way.

Thanks to wonderful neighbors named Dave and Jean Vest we were able to stay in a warm house until my parents could clean our bathroom.  We then lived in my grandparent's travel trailer in the driveway until our home was livable again.  I can remember trying to go to sleep the night of Nov 4th and hearing the wailing of sirens from firetrucks and ambulances.  I remember my mother's bosses bringing us food and clothes.  I remember my teacher Mrs. Gobble picking me up and taking me to buy a new dictionary, thesaurus, etc.  I remember the National Guard standing watch in our neighborhood to protect us and our property from looters.  I remember hosing down a Jeep that had slowly circled our block looking to see what they could steal.

I believe we are shaped by what we've lived through.  I think it's because of my experiences in 1985 that my heart goes out to those who suffer natural disasters.  I think that this played a large part in my becoming a member of the Salem Rescue Squad so many years later.  And to prove we live in a small world - the "missing rescue squad member" you will hear about turned out to be the first paramedic I would work with at SRS.  I consider him one of my best friends to this day.  He is a wonderful person who taught me so much and had things been different that day, I would have never had the opportunity to know him. 

And to conclude - 25 years later, I work in the hospital that you will see was flooded.  I am proud to live in Roanoke, and I'm grateful that my community has served me well and helped me become the person I am today.