I ♥ that there are bloggers now adays that some of which are very good at writing. It's interesting how we have shifted from the days of hiding and locking our personal Diaries/Journals to completely opening up our private world for all to see....Once in a while I will post here and let all of you know of a great blog/blogger that I have discovered, and share it with you...this is one of those time...I very recently had the emence priveledge of Billeting Anika Todd, an up incoming, new to the Road Racing circuit rider, and it was an amazing time we had at BC SUper week....here is just one of her most recent blogs....I suggest you give it a go...and please, Please, PLEASE sign up for her blog and as well share this on your page and tell your friends...this girl is amazing she has only been riding since May. She blew Scouts, Pro-Teams, and fans away, this past week....No one saw her coming...she will no doubt be going Pro, very very soon, but for now she is heading to Europe in 3 short weeks for the TT Championships....we wish her all the success in the World!...WAY TO GO ANIKA TODD! The face to watch in Women's Cycling and also soon to be the new face of what's to come...the future looks bright! ~CC http://anikatodd.wordpress.com/tag/cycle-cafe/
I recently signed up for a very popular Internet dating sight P.O.F. (Plenty of FIsh) in an effort, I think, to combat my huge amount of 'Alone Time' that I am not to fond of. At the time I signed on to the site I wasn't really aware of what I was getting in to . My Girlfriend had boasted about metting lots of really great guys from the sight. She would date them for a while, then decide that they weren't really 'The One', and move on to the next. She seemed to be having a lot of fun, so based on her experience and the nagging voice in the back of my head saying, "You should be dating",when I really REALLY didn't want to be dating at all, I took the plunge and signed up too.
At first I blamed my solo act on simply not being ready to date since Dave (my boyfriend who over a year ago {possibly a year and a half now since he broke my haeart and left me shattered} had asked me to move to England, move in with him, and be his 'Partner' for Life....I had said an infatic "Yes" to that question, and never saw the invetable end coming....at all!).
Then after truly being over Dave I just wasn't that excited about the idea of dating again. The whole notion of going out on awkward first dates with strangers, getting to know someone ..or God forbid it work out, I certainly wasn't willing to get use to someone's bad habits, or share my space, or time with anyone at all!
After that phase I simply became, for the first time ever in my life, completely content with being Single. I mean all my adult life I had looked for, and had wanted to be in a relationship. It was my M.O. I was the 'Relationship' Girl.
Not now, but that didn't mean at all that I was going the other route of having meaningless 'Hook ups' either. That definetly wasn't my thing either. I simply finally found myself really loving being alone, and enjoying my Life 'Single'.
However I was still on P.O.F., and I was getting lots of messages from men that were possibly interested in changing that. Althought frankly most of them where looking for a 'Friend with Benifits', or a quick hook up. Despite the fact that right at the top of my profile I had mentioned that I wasn't interested in that at all. Yet they still asked, bless them. Men are funny they really don't take "No" for an answer and they still give it a go. Most of the time us Ladies appreciate their tenacity. This wasn't one of those times.
So, the Dance continued until last week when I saw a familiar face in the big sea of fishes. I recognized him right off as being someone I knew from Racing Cyclocross. So, I sent a message mentioning that I recognized him. He was Coi at first as a decoy to avoid embarassment being that he clearly didn't know who I was at all, but that curiosity worked in my favor. He asked me out right away ( I think mostly to relieve his biting curiouslity as to who I was, and how we knew each other, and which friends did we actually have in common?). As much as I might hum, and ha at this whole dating process this time I really appreciated his quick draw cheekiness and I said "Yes" .
There, I had done it. I had agreed to my first date, and it was to be the next day for breakfast. He had originally asked me out for a bike ride, and as much as I don't want my accident to define me it was difficult not to mention it, yet again, in order to really explain why I couldn't go for a ride. So, breakfast it was and he had graciously agreed to travel out my way as well. I was actually excited. Not a bit nervous at all being that I knew him a bit from CX and we had friends in common.
The next day I woke up earlier than I usually do (since the accident I tend to sleep now at least 10 hours a day so waking up before that is rather difficult for me) to meet my date for Breakfast....Picking out something to wear that wasn't exercise gear, or kit was really a challenge and I ended up being 8 minutes late...oops. When I arrived at our meet-up point at Starbucks my date was facing away from me arriving, but my eyes went right to his legs (he was wearing shorts) and I recognized his shaved cycling legs immediatly lol. It's a cyclist habit; you can tell if someone is a cyclist, or a runner by their muscle tone...If you are a cyclist you understand what I am talking about, if not you probably don't. He turned around and with a big grin gave me a big hug; nice!
We started easily chatting as we walked to the 5 Corners Diner down the hill. Once there we got a table right away. Not an easy thing to do on a Sunday morning, so we were lucky, and the conversation continued. Our eggs came and we were still talking. We talked about my accident (eek), my recovery (more eek), parenting, briefly about past relationships, racing, and my date finally connected the dots realizing that I was Norm Thibault's sister (one of his real competitors in CX, and a name synonomous with the popular sport due to his reputation and the fact that my brother is married to one of the top Professional CX Champs Wendy Simms, whom he also started a 7 part Cyclocross Race Series with over on Vancouver Island called Cross on the Rocks)....so now that the mystery had been solved we chatted on.
There wasn't ever an uncomfortable moment. After breakfast we walked back up the hill to his car, he offered to drive me home and once there he gave me a quick hug good-bye and then he said something that really took me a back, "Don't tell your brother we went out". My date had finally put 2+2 together over breakfast that I was Norm Thibaults sister, one of his fierce competitors at CX races....where did that come from....Was he kidding? I couldn't tell ...he tried to play it off by saying that they were competitors and he didn't want him to know any of his racing strategy, but really that just sounded like a really feeble excuse to me. It sounded like he actually meant it.
So, what did that mean exactly? Was he embarassed that we had gone out? I mean really? I thought it was a great date although I was getting a very strong vibe that he wasn't attracted to me at all. Which was really a biter pill as I was attracted to him. I mean he was very tall, athletic, handsome, had a great outlook on life, we had a lot in common, and we really seemed to get along....so what was the problem.
I let that lye for a bit. Despite his last departing remark I was still happy with our date so I decided to send him a quick message on fb (I would have text him but wasn't exactly sure if the number I had for him was his mobil or his home phone, and I wasn't going to call...that would have been awkward now considering what he had said when he was leaving). I meantioned what a nice time I had with him, thanked him for driving out this way, and of course for breakfast. Like I said I kept it really brief, and non commital, or pushy.
That was early Sunday afternoon. His response came the next day:
"Hi Donna, l enjoyed breakfast and meeting you. I hope you continue down the road to a full recovery, you have a great attitude to life it seems and that will surely help! See you at CX no doubt"
Well, I called it! That was definetly a "See ya around, MAYBE" for sure. Not a "hey we should go for a ride sometime", friends vibe which would have been perfectly acceptable and kind of nice. Not that I really expected anything at all, but what followed that I think surprised me more than anything.
I started to really question what was wrong with me? I mean was I not tall enough, pretty enough, skinny enough. I realize that he simply was't that in to me, but there had to be a reason. See, before this date I was good, really I was. Despite what my friend had said to me after the shock of telling him I went on a date he had said,
"Well at least you didn't spend your Sunday alone like you usually do". I knew he was right and I appreciated that for sure. I certainly never expected to have so much self doubt though having gone out on this 1st date. I mean this was seriously way to heavy. I wasn't feeling insecure before the date. Sure I had gained a considerable amount of weight since the accident. Sitting on your ass for months not being allowed or able to do much physical activity when you and your body are use to a very active lifestyle can leave you with muffin-tops for sure. I didn't like the weight I had gained, it felt like I was in someone elses body to be honest, but I was working on it; hard!
The whole situation just left me really rattled. I was crying even, and since the accident I haven't had or shown much emotion at all. I have been really even and balanced so this must have really struck some cord, because right now I am not to happy. I never expected that going on a great date would lead me feeling this bad.
So, it is very probable that it will take me another year, or longer, before I go out on another date...because if I feel this bad after a great date I would hate to see how I manage after a crappy one, and lets be honest, we all know that most first dates are nightmares....This wan't a nightmare, for which I was lucky.
The thing is as much as a boyfriend/partner would be nice to find eventually, truly all I would really like to find is my best friend.
So for now I think I will stick to my single glass of Merlot on Friday nights, with my PJ's on by 7, watching a James Bond movie; over meeting anyone else for now.
Thank you very much P.O.F., but No Thank you!
Growth doesn't come without change, or setbacks, and one doesn't grow until they have two feet on the ground to regain balance before taking a step forward.
"Keep in mind that the judging is all pending on how much coffee Mart has had"....How could I help but want to enter Russ Hay's Photo contest when I read that on Facebook...
When I first saw the post on Facebook to 'Win a Specialized Bike" sponsored by Russ Hay's, a local Bike Shop here in B.C. I was excited, which was a BIG deal because since the accident I haven't been excited, or even remotely interested, in anything to do with bikes, or cycling at all. Frankly its been on my "I couldn't care less" list since December. As you might imagine not caring about cycling when I do run Cycle Cafe on facebook, Twitter, tumbler, and Pinterest has been a bit of a challenge when I really didn't want to have anything to do with it.
I have felt for months now that cycling let me down. I know logically it was that sole drivers fault, not cycling, But that is how I have felt, and I am still not back in the saddle. Not because of any of the injuries I sustained but mostly because of my concusion, and maybe a little fear as well. Basically my confidence is shot.
But when I saw the contest to win I bike I did get charged, and I was really happy about that being that it was the first time I had felt the passion that I use to know so well since being hit last Winter.
I quickly entered my first photo in the contest. If you know me you know that I take thousands of photos consatantly, mostly of cycling and bikes. So, finding the right photo for the contest was a challenge. Althought the contest had an overall theme of sharing your photos that show how much cycling means to you and how much fun you have doing it they did have three specific categories for the contest. Scenic, Action, and Funny. That didn't really narrow it down much for me lol.
I finally settled on one photo to enter in the 'Scenic' Category. It was one that I took while toodling about in Penticton, B.C. during Ironman 2010. One of the many years that my brother was entered in the race. I was so taken with the beauty of Penticton I wanted to captivate it as I saw it; with my bike, on the pier with the waves rolling was a natural fit.
"Scenic"
As I wanted to increase my chances of winning the bike I decided to enter a second category. This time the 'Funniest' category seemed a good fit for a photo I had taken while on the "Shore 2 Shore" hop on in Hope tour with the White Rock Fire Dept who had just rode cross country from Halifax, Nova Scotia to White Rock, British Columbia for Variety Childrens Fund. That ride was my very first group ride and I had the best time ever. I was even more pleased to discover that one, I could do it, and two I realized during the ride when I was trying to pass some riders that I had a natural 'competive' gene in me that I had no idea I had.
"Funny"
Fastforward to my third entery. After discovering that I was competive I started racing Cyclocross. Now in my third year of racing we had the great pleasure of having the National Cyclocross Champiions held hear in my hometown of WHite Rock, which was a huge honor. Along with being a memeber of the Surrey off Road Enthusiasts Group who manage the Park where the race was held. I was also a Marshell for the race, as well as a Drug Chaparon to one of my idols Catherine Pendral, I was cheering on my sister in law Wendy SImms, and my brother Norm Thibault as they competed, and Auntie to my nephew and neice that needed watching while they raced...so it was a busy weekend and I was racing. I pulled off a PR that day. I had increased my endurance. I wasn't last, and I didn't get passed.(that was also the last race before my accident a 2 weeks later) That was awesome, and I still managed to take a few shots...Voila!
"Action"
I have my fingers crossed that I am going to win the bike, and when I do I plan on making the day that I pick up the bike from Russ Hay's the day that I get back in the saddle.
For all of those that I have hasseled to vote. I thank you for doing so, and if you haven't please do. The link sends you to the Russ Hay's page...please 'Like' the page to continue. I have 3 photos entered all under my name "DONNA" they are spread out so you will have to scroll down a few times to find them all. Cheers.
I am the proud mother of a University Graduate. Well she hasn't had her official ceremony but earlier this week she finished her final exam and I couldn't be more proud and thrilled for her; it's been a very long five years. Naturally, having Hope's Graduation Ceremony coming up soon I text her to see if she wanted to go dress shopping. She quickly text me back and said, "Can we go shoe shopping instead". How could I say "No". So off we went to find her a pair of fun shoes. I was just along for company; at least that was my intention. But that was like taking a small child to a candy store and telling them they can only look at the candy, but they can't have any candy. Ya right!
Hope settled on a very cute pair of black strappy wedges. Her first pair. Perfect for the summer. Personally I love wedges. I think they are the most comfortable heel invented and could live in them. Of course lately, given the nature of my condition, since my accident, heels have been off the docet. So, when I found a pair of 7" platform stilleto's I couldn't resist, but I was also thinking, "When am I going to where these?".
That question was answered a couple weeks later when Hope finished her last exam and I wanted to take her out to celebrate and we were getting a bit dressed up. I wore my TOMS for the most part, but when it came time to go to the restauraunt I pulled out my new heels. I couldn't resist. (Again kid in the candy store). So, despite my better judgement (not the first time), and I could picture my physiotherapists disapproving face in my head as well, I slipped my beauties on and stepped out of the car. Which of was parked on a downfaced hill. Of course it was! It became very apparent very quickly that I was OUT OF PRACTICE! Hope quickly lent her arm and I basically shuffled my way to Los Margaritas, but I made it without falling. Woo hoo!
After dinner we went to pick up some Zimt chocolatehttp://www.zimt.ca/, which is a company that Hope's best friend started a couple years ago. We were so excited when we got to WHole Foods to discover that most of her chocolate was sold out. Way to go Emma! Then it was off to Hope's work, Menchies, for some fro-yo. When we arrived there Hope looked at me and said, "Mom, you can wear your TOMS now if you want." We both laughed. She new I was struggling a bit, and in the back of my head I was a bit concerned that I may have done more damage to my back (which I had been suffering from since the accident) but also more recently my C-spin has been in a huge flux so I was convinced that my wearing my heels hadn't helped.
The next day, guilty faced, and with shoes in hand I came clean with my Physiotherapist with one caviot. I explained to here how when I woke up the next morning after being out to dinner with Hope, the usual pain that I had been experiencing with my C-spin was gone. Well not entirelly but really Wednesday for me was a no pain day, and for me that is a big deal. I wasn't completly out of the 'dog house' though. I did get
'the look' from Jess (my physiotherapist), but once I told her the pain was better she dedueced that possibly what had happened was that by wearing the heels it had curved my C-spin even more thus giving my flux discs more space to settle where they should be. At least that is what we are hoping.
So, now I have different exercises to do. No, it's not wearing the heels more. But my little reckless episode seems to have improved and changed my progress.
Last Monday, April 15th I received a rather irrate text from my b.f.f. Pablo, "U see all that crap in Boston, bloody bastards." Having no idea what he was talking about I replied, "huh". To which he responded, "Some coward exploded several bombs today right at the finish-line of the Boston Marathon. Killing 2 and injuring at least 100 people. The race was cancelled leaving thousands without being able to finish." He then sent another text "Get plugged in Girl." It's true I do tend to live in a bit of a bubble. I don't have a Television, or listen to the radio very often and seldom read the newspaper. So I really had that anything earth shattering had happened at all. But one feeling did overcame me rather quickly, and it was one I was very familiar with, as I had felt it only one other time before, during 9-11, shear fear and dread!
I grabbed my computer and headed to the closet cafe. Once on line I could see from the several status' of friends on Facebook and from the news reports what had happened and it was just as my friend had said. A bag containing explossive shrapnell had been detinatted near the finishline. Injuring several people and killing two; one of which was a a young boy there to watch his Dad finish the race; which he never ended up being able to do. The whole thing was another nightmare that most of us watching felt helpless to do anything to help.
My feelings of sorrow, dread, and helplessness continued throughout the week until friday. When live news casts kept us intuned to a manhunt for the Bomber in a door to door Manhunt AT Cambridge University. Swat teams on hand and several hours later they managed to catch the bomber. The whole Nation breathed a sigh of releif.
A few days following the Man hunt The Sun Run was coming up and normally I would have steered clear of all the crowds, but this year was different. Like most people I felt compelled to show my support in any way I could so like several other thousands of people I woke up very early Sunday morning and headed to downtown Vancouver to do just that. Unfortunetly due to my accident (at the end of November) I wasn't able to run the race, like I would have liked, but being there to show support was a big part of being part of the event. As a runner you know that we tend to be a very supportive group and love to cheer our fellow enthusiasts whenever we have the opportunity.
Despite the dreary weather that started the day or the bombing earlier in the week at The Boston Marathon more than 48,198 happy runners/walkers showed up Sunday morning for the Annual Vancouver Sun Run. The largest 10k in Canada. In fact this week following the Tradgedy on Monday there was a serge of new registrations with a boost of 2,000+ runners to the already 46,000+ registered..
Many participants also showed their individual support for Boston by wearing the traditional Yellow and Blue. and as well the start of the race there were yellow&blue balloons showing the solidarity to the Tragedy, but more importantly showing that we care.
Having never run the Sun Run or even seen it I was absolutely blown away by the throngs of people once I arrived to Georgia STreet where runners were started in waves according to their run time. I had two friends that were participating, but I had no expectation of seeing either one of them. Yet when I was waiting for the start I turned to around to bump right in to Nicole. We couldn't beleive that we had found each other, complete chance. It was great so we got to visit a bit while she and her Dad waited to start their green wave.
I wished her well and they were off.
I then headed down to the halfway point at the Burrard Bridge. What a sight! Just gorgeous. I cheered and wished people well.
Then continued on to the finish. I just arrived when Nicole finished but I didn't see her, there were just far to many people for one to find each other.
Everyone was coralled in to B.C. Place where the recovery, awards and expo were located. I went straight to the Expo and found some great deals. I ended up getting my daughters pink ribbon cancer socks by New Balance, some shorts, and a pair of capri jogging pants.
As I started to head home I passed the Women's winner Tasha Fraser. Hard to miss her with her big beautiful smile. She was walking with her folks but I still wished her "Congratulations" for which, like a good 'Canadian girl', she replied "Thank you". It was the perfect end to a great day, and the Sun had come out to play :)
The Vancouver Sun had also announced that they would be donating $10 of every registration to The Victims of the Boston Marathon.
Jo JettOn December 21, 2011 a fellow officer was killed in the line of duty in Lakeland, FL. I had no biking experience to speak of but following his death, I was determined to ride in the Police Unity Tour held in May during National Law Enforcement Week in Washington DC. The tour honors those officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice. The chapter that you ride with determines your start point and covers 250 miles over 3 days. The first day of riding was my first century ride and the last day culminated with roughly 1300 riders traveling the final miles united in their cause. As you ride toward the Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington DC and you ride past thousands of spectators and see the family members of the fallen, you are overcome by emotions you weren't prepared for and humbled at being given the opportunity to ride for the fallen. I will never forget those days!
Jocelynn RookeCouldn't narrow it down to a single ride... Ironman Canada bike route.. training & racing.. Sea to Sky Highway to Squamish & back solo in the pouring rain.. Cypress Hill repeats & Iona Beach speed work.. the rides where I made new friends..
Jon Wesley BraswellAnytime The Scorchers in the ATLANTA AREA ride it is an adventure because we do not ride for health we just love to ride and that keeps us healthy.
Donna MarieJocelynn Rookeyou really have had a great year in the saddle my dear..Ironaman was indeed epic but I remember when you road to Squamish you couldn't stop talking about that ride ...glad you had a good year hun!
Michael McMullanDonegal 3 Day Race - I pulled myself around this race and found hidden strengths I didn't know I had, Newry 3 Day for its organisation and toughness. Again i reached down and found pain i thought i would never suffer. Plus my team mate won the green jersey that we all worked for him to win. A week training in Majorca for the heat, great roads and scenery.
Jocelynn RookeThanks Donna.. Yes, I did have a great year of cycling.. can't wait to get back out on the roads in the spring.. til then it's indoor spins.. to quote Jordan Myer's... "there's no need to be a hero in January"
trailsnetThe Huntington Beach Trail in CA, the Virgin River Trail in Utah, Glenwood Canyon Trail in CO, Great Allegheny Passage in PA… Pretty much any and all bike trails.
What a great year it was.Here is wishing you all an amazing year of Riding this year full of accomplishments, good times, great people and safe journey's.
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