Dear Santa...

Dear Santa,

It is really cold in Chicago. Probably not as cold as the North Pole, although some pictures have surfaced of you in boxer shorts snowboarding...i'm just saying, if you're going to 'board, at least put some halfpipe gloves the next time you attempt an Eggplant... Nevertheless, its cold in Chicago and speaking of "North", you know what would make it less cold? A North Face coat! "But of course!" as you realize this is the only logical conclusion but then wonder "but which coat? They have so many varieties, colors, shapes, and sizes...some of which have never existed yet!" and i am writing you this to ease your worries. Yes, i'm a giver.

For your own convenience, i am attaching a photo of the new Boulevard Jacket from NorthFace, it is a pea-coat inspired, performance, waterproof, insulated cold weather wear. From the detachable trim to the hidden zipper and button closure, this is the IDEAL jacket for the person who wants a more professional look without losing the warmth and comfort that NorthFace has built its name on. It even comes in five different colors to express your own personality!


In my opinion, i think the Asphalt Grey is the best...and would look great under my Christmas tree with a tag that says "To Sue, Merry Christmas"...

Have a great Christmas, and travel safe!


---Sue

So i won the GC and i took a (virtual) trip to Colorado...

In Chicago, we have this crazy thing called Bandit Cross. there's actually two of them, one in the city and one out in the suburbs. I've been using these practice races for, of course, practice towards the Chicago Cyclocross Cup. Never really in competition for anything, especially since they don't count for anything and points are randomly assigned based on the "promoters" whims and b/c i'm this little cat 4 vs super fast guys and pro 1/2 women. But hey, its good fun and gets me out of the house and off the trainer.

After 5.67 races, the GC was announced on a balmy 28 degree friday, the day after thanksgiving (yeah, no way i'm headed to the shops on black friday. i'd rather be freezing and attempting to hop barriers). Teeth chattering, we stand there in our winter cycling gear, which doesn't seem to give enough warmth especially now that we've stopped moving. First place, with the prize of a frozen turkey, was ABDeeDee. I look to my teammate, Gina, who looks at me and says "Nope, i'm ABD Shorty, you're ABDeeDee"...huh? I won the Bandit Cross GC? How is that possible? Yet, everyone is looking at me like this is common knowledge and there seems to be a giggle going around. Nah, can't be a giggle, 98% of the "crowd" are guys, guys don't giggle. So, i go up and get my frozen 14lb turkey, mention that its "something i've always wanted...the day after thanksgiving" and sit back down, with a look of confusion on my face. I have no idea whats going on.

I tell Gina "I don't get it." and she tells me its b/c of an almost kiss. Wait, what? I was involved in almost kiss (or according to the website, a potential kissy kiss) that i don't know about? But i didn't get any more details until after the "awards ceremony". Gina later tells me that about a month ago, while she and i were practicing dismounts after one of the races, the guys thought...well, that there was going to be a "potential kissy kiss". Where that idea came from, i have no idea. We were practicing dismounts. We discussed technique. I don't even think we were close enough for something like that to happen. But b/c of that, she and i each got 25 pts. This made me laugh all the way home. No offense is/was taken, its all in good fun, but wow...such imaginations. Granted, its not the way i wanted to win my first GC, but i now have a frozen turkey in my fridge for Christmas.



Now, my virtual trip to Colorado. It was the FreeForm workout of Bootcamp. I kind of associate this workout with cross b/c its one of those things that i never really remember how painful it could be until i'm in the middle of it and there's no way out. It was the Coors-Morgul Bismark simulated course. 12.5 miles of steep hills and fast downhills. My first time ever doing this course (last year), i finished in 44mins58secs and i couldn't wait for it to end. The last .6 miles is a 6% grade and seems to last an eternity. Saturday, was the first one of the year and i kicked butt. I finished in 39:30, either my fastest or 2nd fastest ever. I did complete it once in the 39 range but that was with a ton of drafting. This time around, i drafted for a bit in the beginning, but someone took off on purpose and left me in the dust. S'ok, i was feeling pretty good, managed to up my speed on the downhills (which was the biggest problem since my cadence was crap...its not awesome yet, but so much better), i wasn't grinding on the uphills, and i finished the majority of it on my own. I finished 3rd in the group i was riding with and not too far off from superstar/crashzlot Jessi. Not too shabby for my first effort, and i'm thinking...drop another 5mins by spring?! Yeah, lots of hardwork is in my future...but, much like cross, its not so tough anymore...