Joyride.

So today...for the first time in a really long time...I left the office at 5 (nevermind the fact I was there at 8:20)...I don't really remember the last time that happened. I'm quite pleased with myself actually. I didn't feel guilty about it either...it's just work...it'll still be there tomorrow morning (it's not like we're curing cancer here in the world of advertising, folks). But ya know...it felt reeeeeeeally good. The past few weeks I haven't been out of there until 6:30 at the earliest, and that's on a "good day." But...more on that some other time...

Sooooo yeah...

Lots-o-stuff has been going on over here...a handful of craptacular runs where I wanted to swear off running for the rest of my life...random leg pain which has finally subsided...saw Barenaked Ladies last week and got to hang out with Ryan and his wife (love these two!!)...had dinner and polished off a bottle of wine with mouse...witnessed and helped out a bit at the Effingham Half Iron Distance (my Godfather and his buddies were participating and I was out in force with my super fantastic cowbell, seriously...I am one rockin' spectator)...took a week off of all athletic-y stuff to help my body recover...found myself at the end of my fuse with work-related drama...and in turn, have found a solution to said drama...still searching for my inner-zen...

...so when the opportunity to walk away from my desk at 5 proposed itself...I took full advantage and ran home.

I can't lie...I didn't exactly know what to do with myself. So...I sat around with Mike for a little bit and then, of all things...we went biking.

Now...most of you may remember...Barb and her bike...well...we tango.

...and not in a good way.

But today was different. I actually enjoyed myself. I allowed myself to relax and dance with the bike. And for an entire hour I danced without a care in the world. I let go of all my 9-5 stress (or in my case 8-7 stresses) and got lost in pure bliss.

Oooooooooooooh it was SO WONDERFUL!

The bike was an extension of my body...no awkwardness with my clips...no crazy out of control crashes...no freaking out because I couldn't change gears (which is still a problem if you're keeping track)...

Instead it was smooth sailing. I went out with the intent to just have a leisurely ride to clear my head. I didn't focus on speed or anything...I just focused on my cadence and the "scrapping mud off your shoes" motion. It was quite nice, until I hit the volleyball-infested area around Fullerton. It's a miracle I didn't knock someone out (although with the way some of those idiots were parading around they probably deserved it--you Chicagoans know exactly what I'm talking about). It was insane down there. After 30 minutes I turned myself back around and headed back north to the car. I was flying. Perhaps it was the wind at my back, or the tacos I ate for lunch providing jet fuel, but I was passing folks left and right.

Sure...some of them were your touristy bikers...but I didn't care. I passed 'em. And it was a confidence booster. And in the time it took me to cover 30 minutes going south, it took me only 20ish minutes to make the return trip. Pretty sweet, eh?

Since I had another 10 minutes before I had to meet Mike, I continued north past the parking lot to squeeze in another 2 or so miles. On the way back to the car, I'm zipping along and out of the corner of my eye I spot a smiling bald dude...heeeeeeeey...I know him...it was our own Full Metal Lunchbox (and I think Shea and Jeanne were with him? not sure.). I gave him a hollar, but I don't thik he recognized me all dolled up impersonating a cyclist. So Josh...that chick on the bike giving you a cat call today, totally was me. I would've stopped to chat but I wanted to beat the clock to meet Mike...plus my stomach was growling...and well...I'm a beast when I'm hungry. Next time...

But yeah...it was one awesome ride. Blissful. Carefree. A 'watch out Lance Armstrong' ride. It reminded me just how awesome life can be.

...it was a joyride, indeed.