Peachtree 10K and Century Ride

I recently went to Atlanta for the NEA-RA (teacher conference) and was very excited to get to see new things. One thing I really wanted to do was run a race...well the only one I could find was sold out. I was bummed but figured I would try and get a bib! You only live once, right?! Well the expo for this race happened to be where the NEA was and I heard they had some extra bibs...so guess what??? I had the amazing opportunity to run the largest 10k in the county!!! The Peachtree 10k in Atlanta, Georgia. What can I say about running in Atlanta...HOT, HUMID, HILLY....did I mention, HOT, HILLY, and HUMID?? It was awesome to see such a huge turn out for a 10k. The crowd was amazing and the people lined up along the streets were hilarious, loud, and crazy. It had not rained in the last 49 years for this race but, this year it poured the entire week of and race morning. Then as the race was starting no more rain. It was a very hot, hilly, humid race but worth every step. To be part of such a huge race was unbelievable. Beautiful scenery and amazing people! I did not run this race for a PR and was just running...I was not even sure what my last 10k time was. I was pretty pumped to find out that I did PR by 31 seconds! I can say no complaints from running in Atlanta!! 10K time- 53:15

This past week a friend has asked if I had ever ridden a century bike ride and my answer was NO! Actually, I had never really thought of riding one. I have had my bike for awhile and only ridden about 90 miles this year so far. My friends had been calling my bike Rusty :-) I have wanted to get out on the bike more but marathon training is a tad bit time consuming. I decided that heck why not...I thought that I could do it..I knew my legs could do it but was not so sure about my butt! We started in Hammond Indiana, rode through downtown Chicago, and ended in Kenosha Wisconsin. Talk about a perfect Saturday! Riding is so much fun! It was so peaceful, beautiful, and almost indescribable. It is the greatest way to just think and question life. I am officially hooked on this bike thing! I am not sure what makes it so amazing..maybe great company, a new experience, places I've never been??? All I can say is sign me up!!!