Good-Bye My Friend...

Today was a sad day...I had to say good-bye to one of my best-friends. We have spent a lot of time together over the past 6 months, logging many miles, sharing in a lot of smiles, some tears...today my beloved Planet X was left at Vertical Earth. She is heading to Florida on Monday.

I know, a little dramatic...but it's true. I have spent a huge amount of time on her this past 6 months. If I had time, I could go through my logs and tell you exactly how much time...but a rough guesstimate would be anywhere between 14-25 hours per week. (Depending on my long ride schedule.) That's a lot of time with a bike.

At first I thought it was nerves. This is really happening...the race numbers came to us yesterday, the bike is being shipped out Monday (bike shop is closed on Sunday, so had to be dropped off today), and the tapper. BUT, as I examine it more, I find that I am not nervous, but this over-whelming feeling in me is SEPARATION ANXIETY! Every morning I wake up and the first thing I see (even before my kids) is my road bike. She sits there in the room, smiling at me, begging me for another ride. "Let's go play with the boys..." she whispers to me. Now, she sits alone, with the other bikes she has gotten to know so well...in a shop, waiting.

I didn't have time to wash her, didn't have time to clean the chain one last time, didn't have the chance to spend a few more hours alone with her. I was able to talk to her this morning and let her know that we were done. Our training together is done, and now we head into our big event. I told her she was ready, and when we met up again in Florida, I would take her to the Condo, give her a nice cleaning, lube everything up. (OK Corey would do all this, but I would watch and sooth her.) We would be together again, in a week. I told her that her good friends would be near by (Steve's Kestrel, Paul's Orbea, Mike's Trek, Kelly's Specialized...) and to not worry. The big show was coming.

Now I am left with my goggles and running shoes. I will spend a few hours on Corey's bike, and even possibly my Mountain Bike, just to keep the blood flowing in my legs. But, now, more bonding with the Newtons.

I am ready...it needs to be my new mantra. I AM READY...I AM READY...I AM READY!