Hello out there!! Finally Back!!

Hello my friends -- I know it has been a HOT MINUTE since I have blogged, but I am going to start back and finally catch up on this blog -- it is not for anyone's benefit but mine.  I am going to blog about my off-season training, dealing with lupus, workouts, training rides and the adventures our family takes in the off season.  This past year has been one of growth and excitement.  I have developed my riding skills so much this year and found different ways to deal with the adversity that lupus has caused in my riding.  I have learned how to change my riding style to fit the pains that come with lupus.  Despite all the troubles that I have had this year, I actually finished the best I have every finished in both the National and the Local Series.  In the GNCC, I finished 2nd place.  I am super proud of this and fought the hardest for this spot.  I had to push hard at every race and fight for my place, but I had fun doing it and really boosted my confidence and ability.  I finished 3rd in my local series and even though I didn't finish as high -- the competition level was not the same.  The first and 2nd place were faster than me in the local races, so most of the time I finished around 4th or 5th place.  Overall, I did well, but I really rode the struggle bus some races due to my lupus.  The biggest problem that I have is my hands going numb and not being able to hold onto the bike.  You would not believe how that affects your riding ability when you are not sure if you can control the bike.  I didn't set out this season to be competitive.  My only goal was to finish the races and not have to drop out early due to lack of control.  So, basically I was only racing against myself, but ending up doing well at most of the races.  In GNCC, most of the races there were at least 6 to 9 girls in my class and I continually finished 3rd or 4th.  I was impressed with myself.  However, with the busyness of racing two competitive harescramble series, being a full time first grade teacher (beginning of the school year craziness), being an adjunct teacher at the Community College, a trainer at the gym and trying to keep a semi-functioning household, my own physical fitness, managing my weight, and meal prepping have definitely went to the back burner.  I have packed on about 15 pounds since the beginning of this school year and have been in a constant cycle of Lupus Flare UPs for the last month as a result of the craziness of my life.  Hopefully I will be able to get back on track in the off season and get myself back into better shape for the 2018 season.  I plan to Blog about this journey and hopefully this will keep my on track and hold me accountable.