I made it to Friday - Survival Accomplished - just barely

Back to Life, Back to Reality - The GAMT Girls are all back! Me, Jana, Sue, Princess

Well, I must say that going back to work (that four letter word) on Tuesday may have not been the best idea ever. I was very much out of sorts and couldn't get my head around the fact that 'I was back'. I wasn't ready to be thrown back into normal, especially since my 'normal' the last 30 days was so different. After I finally pulled it together I headed to work, only to realize that my Sirius satellite on the MKX had lapsed and there were orange construction barrels on 80% of my 37 mile (one way) commute! So no handy channel 153 to tell me what to expect and how to avoid it. I knew this wasn't a good idea. I also hadn't driven in 33 days! How crazy is that? Thankfully, no one had to take cover - just like riding a bike! (ha-ha)

I'm flooded with memories of this trip and can't even answer the repeated question, "What was your favorite part?" There are so many of them, riding with the sun coming up, listening to the birds that I know were singing just for me, the morning Paul, Greg, Mark and I rode together and Greg made bird calls that I thought were real until he cracked a huge grin - got me. Going to the laser show at Coulee Dam with Susan, Veronica and Roger (4 out of ~50 ain't bad)and having my whole perspective of dams changed, group dinners and the conversations and laughter -sometimes my stomach muscles hurt as much as my legs! Speaking of laughter the loud outbursts after 9pm with Michelle - the funny secret jokes we shared. It sounds crazy but riding everyday was a favorite - even though there were mornings when the snooze got hit, my legs refused to function as I stretched and tried to remind them what we were here for - I knew that the day would hold something special, whether it was another mental challenge or some other form of beauty (didn't you get sick of my 'so gorgeous' amazing, wow - comments!) And of course the successful summits, the sweat pouring out of me and the same on the descents - knowing that I made it and hadn't careened out of control due to an unexpected tire blow out or whatever other hazard my crazy mind would dream up! Of course, the ever constant butterflies. The sarcastic exchanges between John L. and I - he's my long lost brother I swear! Oh my, I almost forgot - my many, many massages!! How I'm surviving without those is beyond me!!! I knew I should have followed through with my kidnapping scheme!

This also gave me a deeper appreciation for what our amazing (see) country has to offer and at no exchange rate risk!

Back to my first day back to work. I was greeted with such enthusiasm at work from all my co-workers/friends - it was so cool and really helped to lift my spirits! I really had missed the people, the 1,000s of emails not so much! Princess was still in NY on an audit but it was great to be with 'my girls!' Since it was also my birthday they decided it would be great to decorate every square inch or should I say EFI of my office with streamers, over-the-hill stuff, balloons that said welcome home, happy birthday, congratulations and Jana even found some really cool butterfly decorations to put up (those I'm leaving!) It was so cool! They even got a bottle of champagne which we were going to get some OJ for, but decided we better do that off campus! Unfortunately, the fun and conversations didn't last too long as my first meeting of the day was on our audit that starts in the next few weeks - get this it was with our group, Finance and the auditors - arrrrgggghhhhh! Where's my bike!?!

Since it was my first day back and my birthday we went out for sushi for lunch - YUM-O!!! It was perfect. Then back to work for another fun and exciting meeting this time on (I know kill me now) - a Global contract for our licensing group.

Finally, I could exit. Remember the other day when I said 'No I'm not exhausted or tired' - well, let me tell you - I felt like I had been put through the ringer! I know it was emotions and coming down from such an adrenaline rush. So, even though it was my birthday and Craig made me a very special dinner - I opted to go to bed at 9:30 with my computer to read the other blogs and reminisce - pathetic eh?!

I crack up as I think about the first days back, we flew in Tuesday and went to a Corn Roast to see Brent Steinberg in from Colorado, racing for Grand Mesa state - he grew up in the tutelage of our riding group, The Spoke Junkies. Wednesday of course, first day back to work and my b-day, Thursday - Wedding Shower with some riding friends (which was awesome to see all of them, again - lots of crying on my end), Friday - Milford Memories Festival - beer tent and dancing (well someone was dancing -hee-hee), Saturday - Betty was in from Chicago and we went out. See? My life hasn't changed as much as I thought!!! Still go, go, go.....

It was only three days of no spandex, I rode Friday and then we did a 50 mile mt. bike ride on Saturday - it was so weird to be on my mt. bike and you know how much I whined about the dirt on my legs after riding on the Northern? Well, jeez had I forgotten how dirty you get on the trail! My mad skills were a little rusty and it was very weird on my full suspension (she's a tiger - Trek Top Fuel 9.8 - ggggrrrroooowwlll!!!), but after first lap I was back!

Ok to wrap this blog up - as this will be my final post. Perhaps I will do another one when we go to New Zealand - or I may join all the lemmings out there and enter the facebook world for that.

A few more "Thank You's!"

South Lyon Cycle - came through with my set of Bontrager Select wheels when I discovered two weeks before the Tour that my rims had cracks in them in the Bontrager Race Lites and Trek wasn't sure if they would be able to replace them in time! So, thanks so much Gary for the great deal on the wheel set and extra spokes! Those tires where perfect for a XC trip and I never needed to use the extra spokes or the Race Lites!

I know I mentioned this before but the PAC Tour was my first experience with a XC tour but NOT my first experience with a tour company. I have to tell you I will be hard pressed to use another outfit again. Lon and Susan, Chris and Rebbecca too, have it on lock! They did such an amazing job. The crew too - we, the riders never had a need that wasn't met. Everyone was extremely attentive and taught me so much! From the meals and stops to the friendly attitude and helpful nature and always, always encouraging us and cheering us onward. PAC also does a lot of humanitarian work by building schools and donating time and money, buying clothes and food for children in need in Peru - it is just incredible the giving that they do.

By the way, I did stop with the afternoon soda about 6 days before the end of the tour - so no more brain overloading my body!

This experience has reminded me that you need to make opportunities and when those opportunities come along - DO NOT be afraid of them. As my friend said about Day 11 - take the Big by the Horns! Sometimes people shy away from their dreams for some reason - don't it is totally worth it - live life! It's hard to say right now all the ways in which this trek has changed me but it has and its definitely been a phenomenal experience. I have been so wrapped up in the "loss" of the experience that I haven't been enjoying the accomplishment. We went to lunch today (as I haven't grocery shopped until tonight-Monday) and we all got our fortune cookies and we always joke around and read "in-bed" after the fortune - well, because it's hilarious. But, get this, I don't normally buy into these things - mine read,

"The pleasure of what we enjoy is lost by wanting more." How profound! Deep thoughts....... Of course, 'by wanting more' is just part of my nature and why exploring feels so damn good!


So, today - I'm concentrating on 'the pleasure of what'........

Thanks so much for reading and encouraging me!!!



Pics:



What? Why this? I wanted to show my tan lines - so you have to see how they got there (Paul's legs and bike)
My tan lines:

Not happy about it but I'm going to work, with my trusty Nalgene bottle - what? I get thirsty!

Sushi lunch, first row(left to right) Sue, Me, Jana - second row - Dave, Susan, Gabby, Shawn Missing: Princess The Wedding Shower & The Kiss - JR, Gina, El, Sandy El giving the Toast - sniff sniff

WARNING - rated R saying - I have to get this Founders Brewery t-shirt (Michigan Brewery)

Craig, Natalie, Me (yes, it's humid here, my hair was growing minute by minute!)

Bill, JR, Craig, Me

My babies and me lounging in the yard after work on Friday

Zera

Zera not looking to happy as I was lovin' on Boz

Mr. Boz givin' me some lovin'