Are you still there? I know I have been MIA since January 2020, and so much has changed since then. Let me give you the abridged version. First came the COVID-19 pandemic that caused us all to reevaluate what was important in life. The first weekend in March 2020, my husband and I stood shoulder to shoulder in our corral for what I suspected would be our last Gate River Run 15K. He and I have been running that race together since 2012, but I will post more on that at a later date. He had just accepted an out-of-state position which meant relocation for our family. Little did we know that just one week later, our lives -- as well as the lives of everyone in our nation -- would change forever.
After a whirlwind of the Spring Break that would never end, our introduction to online learning, a VPK graduation golf cart parade and a farewell parade -- complete with a yard sign -- we found ourselves in our new RV trekking cross country towards the Lone Star State. We were greeted by 102° F temps followed closely after by a literal whirlwind of a storm the nearly blew our trailer off its supports. Thankfully, I linked up with ladies from BGR! Dallas and was able to "Burn Off the Crazy" (and the COVID-19+ pounds I gained) from the move. One thing I quickly realized was how hilly TX was compared to FL. My calves did not appreciate our new terrain, and I found myself taking longer walk breaks. I still kept moving though, because I subscribed to a #goalsOVERexcuses mindset.
We welcomed a new family member at the end of 2020. He was supposed to be my running partner, alas, his foster mom said his previous vet advised against it. Instead, he became my walking partner and helped add steps to my day.
2021 began with kids' first experience with snow. The next month was Snowmageddon, and the entire state of TX was covered! The snow started falling on Valentine's Day, and, when we woke up the next morning, the power was out. I had never experienced "rolling blackouts" before, and, by the time the week was done, we had frozen pipes in our bathrooms. Several of our neighbors had pipes or water heaters (in their attics) rupture, which took months to renovate. It also turned out to be a deadly experience for many throughout the state.
On a fitness-related note, my husband gave me a Peloton Bike+ as a Valentine's Day gift because I was still struggling to adjust to running in the hilly streets of TX, and it was either too hot or too cold to ride my road bike on the trainer in our garage. Plus, CG was transitioning towards charging for virtual workouts since more people were returning to in-person workouts, and I was not yet ready to go back to being out and about. I was a bit nervous about clipping into a "bike that goes nowhere", but once I did, I was hooked! I connected with the BPR community (IYKYK) and fell in love with the rapport of fellow riders. There were "swarm" rides a few times a week, and the joking that went on within the group was unparalleled. I ended up joining a group of early morning riders who dubbed themselves the #WafflehouseCrew because of the time and intensity of the rides. Before the year was over, I had set and broken several PRs, hit multiple ride milestones, and even tried my hand at an 100-mile PeloFondo. Here's the year-end wrap up:
