November

November. Wow, what does that mean?

I’ve been with Sarah for exactly 9 years.
I haven’t had a single run in just over 3months
I’ve been in my new job for about 4 ½ months
I’ve been vegan for just under 3 months

Friday was our 9 year anniversary of getting together at a drunken backpackers Halloween party at a tree-house hostel in a remote valley in southern Turkey. Nine years later and all my grand plans of sweeping her away for a lovely dinner on the town were supplanted by the slightly less romantic reality of getting Chinese takeaway and slumping on the couch in a coughing mess of dirty tissues and sweat.

What I found interesting about being sick the last few days was that I was actually really bummed at not being able to go into work. Not because I felt like I’d miss out on so much important stuff or would be super stressed if I didn’t get stuff done. Simply because I really enjoy my job and I like what I do every day. Bear with me here, this may be a ‘’given’ for many people, but for me it’s a totally new experience, and a great realisation to have.

The biggest bummer through was that I wasn’t able to do the Sydney to the Gong ride this morning (and then ride halfway back to Waterfall with Brad) with MY NEW BIKE!!! Not a major deal, but I was really looking forward to the ride, I know lots of people doing it and the weather turned out absolutely perfect this morning – overcast and cool, but not windy. Would have been fun, but with my cough sounding like a toilet flushing (that gurgle in the lungs when you breathe is not a reassuring thing), I feel that another day without pushing myself physically may not be a bad idea. Especially since I was only able to stand for sustained periods and talk without hacking up a lung by yesterday afternoon.

At least it wasn’t a completely wasted weekend, we had a little Halloween party last night. I wasn’t the most animated person in the world, but compared to the three days before it was a Lazarus-like resurrection. Great fun too, check out the snaps here



By the way I did pick up the new bike last Saturday and it fricking ROCKS! Pretty too. Although I question the utility of a white & lime green saddle and white grip tape. The two places your body contacts the bike and are the most likely to get dirty! After two rides the white grips are disgustingly stained. Noice.

However the bike itself is (compared to my trusty old Felt) incredibly light, stiff and responsive and really enjoyable to ride. I’ve only had it out twice but can’t wait to take it on some long long training rides in preparation for the Audax in January.