It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

After a hectic work week, travel to Atlanta for business and finalizing a summary judgment motion for filing Monday, the Christmas season hadn't quite sunk in. Work ended Friday, and although we had decorated our Christmas tree earlier in the week, there weren't any presents underneath it. So armed with a glass of Cabernet and with the sounds of Josh Groban's newest Christmas CD, I started to wrap...and wrap...and wrap. Finally, around midnight I gave up and headed to bed for a few hours of sleep before Saturday morning cycling. The presents had filled the space beneath the tree and I was beginning to eagerly anticipate the next day's trip to Philadelphia to spend Christmas with my family.

Two hours on the bike Saturday morning went by faster than I expected, although I could feel the effects of a busy work week and a few too many glasses of holiday cheer lingering in my legs. We spent most of the two hours in the big chain ring and in aero position. Two of my favorites! Yea right. Soon I was back home, finishing up the wrapping and loading up for the trip up 95.

95 was its usual mess. Our 4 1/2 hour drive took us two hours extra and by the time we arrived our nerves were frazzled. But it was well worth the wait! We arrived to the cheers of two very excited nieces, my sister and her husband and my parents. Kate can hardly contain herself as she looks with excitement at all of the presents under the tree. I'm sure the extra sugar from the daily dose of cookies and candy adds to it. [I need to find a way to harness that energy and save it for long rides and runs.] We've opened a few token presents, caught up with each others latest and greatest, taken a long walk, curled up in front of the fire, and even made a few gluten-free sugar cookies.

Yes, its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Team Astana and Trek

Despite the Christmas bustle, all week I have been feeling slightly blue. The report on Tuesday was that it is not likely that my new TTX will be here in time for Christmas. While it was not imperative for race reasons that I have the new bike by then, I still wanted to see it sitting beside the Christmas tree (and, more importantly ride it on Saturday before we left for the holiday). As of Tuesday, Trek had no explanation for the delay... they are just behind on their Project Ones.

I now know, however, the real reason. Announced just yesterday afternoon, Trek's Project One team has been busy making new bikes for some other people..... Levi Leipheimer and Alberto Contador among them. Yes, yesterday Trek announced that they will be sponsoring the new Team Astana in 2008 and, Team Astana will be riding the Equinox TTX (my new bike) and the 2008 Madone (hopefully someday in my future). The new rides look incredible.

This announcement, of course, made me grin ear to ear. Ever since reading the book, "Its not about the Bike," Trek has been one of my favorite companies. Johan Bruyneel, the former manager of the U.S. Postal team, Discovery Team and now the new manager for team Astana, says it best "I didn't go to anyone else for bikes in 2008." Yes, I am a Lance Armstrong follower, but I also had come to root for the newest Discovery Team members, especially after their tremendous performance in last year's tour. To me, Trek bikes are synonymous with innovation and technology.

To know that my very own bike is being made by the same people who have made in the past and just made new bikes for the first and third place winner of the Tour de France makes me look forward even more to my own 2008 race season with my new Trek. Now that I have the same bike, guess I'll just have to work even harder to try and cycle just as fast :)

Monday Musings

Although I knew I couldn't go pick it up today, I must admit to more than a twinge of disappointment when I called BikeBeat today to check on my new Trek Equinox TTX. It did not arrive. Steve wasn't in so I guess I have to wait for tomorrow for the update.

Fave asked today in weight training "Is their a specific focus to each rotation?" My response, mid-workout "Mine seem to be, CORE, CORE and more CORE." After my second visit to TriGirl weight training, it is patently obvious to me, I am severly lacking in the strong core department. Another thing I need to work on, push-ups.