Friday Five: The New Beginnings Edition

Yeah, I know. What can I say, life got a little crazy there, and blogging took a back seat. It's all good, though. Good things are afoot, and I'm feeling more centered and focused and right with the world than I have been in a long time. So, without getting too verbose, here's a Friday Five:

1.  I start a new job next week.  It's exciting and terrifying at the same time. Being the new kid, even though the tasks I'll be doing are old hat, is intimidating. Will any of the cool kids let me each lunch with them? Do I really have to dress like a human after three years of working from home in running clothes or PJs and bare feet? What is this with all the cars on the road at the same time, creating traffic? hmmmm... did I really think this through??? Yeah, I did. And it's going to be good, for me, for the family. I can just tell, by the way it all came together.  When things are meant to be, the universe usually helps you out. You just have to just be ready and willing to do your part, see the opportunity, grab on to it and make it happen.

Let's disregard entirely that the senior in the senior pics does not actually drive this car... #details

2.  The boy. He's winding down senior year. About 3 months left to go. Final decisions are being made about college, dorms, majors. It's exciting - there's that word again, get used to it - and yet again, terrifying. I think about when I was his age, ready to embark on the first day of the rest of my life. Is he ready? I watch him lose anything that isn't physically connected to his body and forget simple things that a 17-year-old should be able to remember and wonder, "will he survive?"  And then I think, yeah, he will. It might not be easy, but it will be an adventure. As it should be. Did I prepare him to make the right choices, do the right things when faced with decisions, big and small? I think so. I like to think so. Will it always be smooth sailing? No, not really. But that's life, and it's all right in front of him, and how awesome for him to be so ready to embark on this roller coaster. And I get to watch. And re-live it through him, vicariously.  And know that in the end, he is still my baby boy.

One more to the most kick-ass medal collection in town. 

3.  Cowtown is this weekend. Race weekend. Yay! This will be my fifth year to run since they started the star medals in 2009.  I have three full medals and one half so far, and will, gods willing and the creek don't rise, collect my second half medal on Sunday morning. There is a whole slew of Frunners either running or cheering, per usual, so the race itself is secondary. It's about the camaraderie, about having a good time, pushing myself a little more than I would otherwise, and soaking in the day.  My training has been hit or miss this cycle - had a little hiccup after the holidays fighting the Plague, but I think I rallied enough in the last few weeks so that I don't feel like I'll die at mile 11.  I had a blast running a 15k two weeks ago, and even though I'm fighting a sinus infection and smoker's cough right now, I am sure that I will be able to finish. Are my paces where I want them to be? No, not even close. Am I fretting over it? No, not even close.  I've said for months that my fitness goals for this spring and summer, while I deal with my baby bird flying the coop, have been to be able to complete a half or a 50-mile ride and not die. Or want to die. And I can do that. So it will be good. And fun. Count on it!

Yeah, we will do this after the tri in a couple of weeks. It's how we roll. #WGGS 

4.  Apparently, I have another triathlon in two weeks.... Okay.... Strategy for this is to backstroke the hell outta the swim, ride on INFLATED tires (rookie mistake from last summer) and then just run it in when I get to that point.  I've not trained like I wanted to for this. Bottom line. It's the truth. But again, I know I can do this. I will spend the next two weeks in the pool if it kills me, and I may not be able to use my pedals, but I will survive.  This is all about completing. I'm ok with that. It will give my peeps a chance to hang out and chill while the RDs bring the course down behind me and wait for me to come in. A couple of other friends are making their tri-debut, so it'll be great to be there for them and reassure them that they will NOT be the last ones to finish! What can I say? I'm a giver!!

Mmmm... Baseball. 

Gonna miss this big meatball. 

5. Lastly, but not least by any stretch, today is a GREAT day for Surprises! Yes, I'm back on baseball. I love baseball for so many reasons, but one of the top ones is that every new season is filled with possibilities. Everyone has a chance to win it all on the first day of the season. So fresh and new. It's exhilarating and it's a metaphor for life, I truly believe that. My team has changed a lot, my favorite player is wearing a new uni (MAJOR SADS) but I'm on board.  Today is the first day of spring training games after a couple of intra-squad games. It's exciting. Spring is here. New beginnings. Play ball, y'all!