Runnin' on Empty: My how time fly's, flies...crap Idunno.

So, April was the last time I had the time, energy, or inspiration to write anything. Well, I've certainly had the inspiration, just lacking in the other two departments.
Where to begin...I guess I could start with the AJ officially leaving his Dad in the dust a few months ago and CAT'ing up to a 2! And on his 18th birthday no less. It was something special to watch as the entire Pro 1-2-3 field sang Happy Birthday to mah boy before his very 1st race as a CAT 2 out at the Golden State Crit.
This past June AJ competed in his first ever Jr. National Championships up in Bend OR. (see pic <---)

AJ...Jr. Nats Bend OR...contemplating.

But I guess the biggest news, of course, is AJ making the 2010 Mid Atlantic Development Team for Le Tour de l'Abitibi which is basically the Tour De France of Jr. racing. Teams from all over the world will converge in the city of Val-d 'Or Canada in Quebec and compete in a 7 day stage race with no rest days.
The team is a composite squad put together from Jr.'s all over the nation. AJ submitted his race resume a few months back and lo and behold, he was chosen. He, along with 4 other boys from around the U.S. will join forces and race against the best Jr. racers from all around the globe. Sadly, Dad can't go with him, but it'll be good for the both of us...

So, obviously I started writing this about 2 weeks ago...I have become the KING of procrastination! I've started over a dozen posts before this in the past months and maybe some day, I'll post them. Maybe it'll be in one mass post...a collage if you will, little unfinished snippets of the happenings of my life. As if...

This past June we ventured up north to Bend OR for the Jr. National Championships where we met a fantastic couple who were gracious enough to put us up for the week. Sloan and Jenny Anderson are 2 of the coolest people you'll ever have the pleasure of meeting.

Jenny and Sloan

It was AJ's first time lining up against this level of competition and he was ready for the challenge. In just his 3rd season of racing it was the 1st time AJ had the eligibility to participate. It was a huge learning experience for both of us.

Nice gloves!

Words cannot begin to describe or explain the feeling of helplessness that a Dad experiences when he has to deal with a failed exchange in the feed zone. Turning and looking down at your boys water bottle, with the energy gels neatly attached with the rip off tops under the threads of the lid so he could just reach down and rip it from the bottle and consume it with ease, laying in the dirt, as he rides up the road parched and hungry and there's nothing you can do. I have to say, working the feed zone is 10 times more stressful than racing...

AJ was standing on his tippy-toes...

This was atop Pilot Butte just south of town. One of the few moments we weren't chasing sleep and hunting for food and coffee.
Though I didn't race, I ate like I did. I must have gained 5 lbs. in the 5 days we were up there. Feeding a hungry 18 year old has residual effects. I mean, who could just sit there and watch as he shovels all that yummy goodness without joining in on the fun! For example...

Uhm...HYEAH!

Right!?!

Good people, good food, and good coffee.....what more do you want? Maybe a dash of ethnic diversity...but hey, you can't have everything.

We had an awesome time and look forward to returning next year...

Master Nationals will be in Bend for the next 2 years....yeayuh!