It’s been a while since I posted. When I last posted I was high on my recent trip to Mexico. Well, I guess I should warn you that I’m still riding that same Mexican high. I guess this is a true sign of a good vacation if weeks later I’m still thinking about the good times I had and the people I got to meet and know better.

As for what’s happening right now… Well, I’m patiently waiting for spring to arrive so I can get out and ride. I know that lots of people in Ottawa have already been out riding – but I haven’t been out yet. Either I’m working during the really nice warm days or my work-out is one that is not well suited to the not-really-that-warm spring temperatures. There is nothing worse than doing intervals and then getting cold afterwards.

So, instead I’m getting comfortable with Zwift Island. I must admit when Marc first showed me Zwift, I was a bit skeptical. But now I’m full-on hooked. The time rips by and I find the course to be ideal for all types of work-outs. This morning I had to do a steady 90 minute endurance ride and normally this would drag on and feel a bit endless – not with Zwift – in fact, I had to make myself stop riding at the 90 minute mark. (But don’t get me wrong – I wont to get outside….)

Hmm, what else? Well, I’m busy with lots of freelance writing – so this is a good thing. I really appreciate the variety that my freelance writing clients offer me – it’s super important to me that I can develop both my technical writing skills as well as my general online communication skills with ghost blogging, online columns, and newsletter content.

Most of you know that I recently started volunteering at the Parkdale Food Centre and now you can read all about my experiences there, in the latest blog post up on the site. This is a tremendously valuable organization in our city and my Tuesday nights have become super fulfilling and rewarding.

Really, that’s about all that’s going on. We did book our accommodation and flights for our summer vacation. Let’s just say I’m very happy I have a compact crank on my bike now. I think I’ll need it for two weeks of riding split between the Alps and Provence!

Well, this has really been a mishmash of a blog post. But that’s just the way life is sometimes. A mishmash of stuff that when it is all summed up it equals a pretty darn fortunate life.

Happy Easter to you and your family. Hopefully there will be a Mr. Solid (eat the ears first) in your Easter basket on Sunday morning. And if you’re looking for the footprints that the Easter Bunny leaves – good luck – I was never able to spot them. Maybe it’s the kind of Easter Bunny that flies – this would explain the egg laying…

I’ve been home from my trip to Puerto Morelos, Mexico for a week now… and I have to say it was super fantastic trip. It was just what I needed to really hit the reset button in what has been a rather tough 2015.

Sometimes a complete departure from reality is really needed to realize how fortunate you are. This is what this trip gave me. A week-long yoga retreat on the coast of Mexico, surrounded by palm trees, sand, the ocean and lots of smiling faces – can’t get much better.

I did things on this vacation that I’ve never done before. In fact this was my first time travelling south. I swam in the ocean everyday (hadn’t swam in about 10 years). I went snorkelling and swimming at a cenote. Visited a Mayan village in Coba. I also disconnected more than I’ve had from the Internet.

Our days were spent doing yoga, swimming in the ocean, exploring the town, going on excursions, eating amazing food, sitting around and chatting, and simply relaxing. It was a busy but relaxing busy trip. I got out for some early morning runs on the beach – it’s very meditative to run in the dark with only the sounds of the waves to keep you company.

I went on this yoga retreat to Casa OM with my mom – this was super special. We try and do a trip together every couple of years and this like the others was a brand new location for both of us. Previously we’ve visited San Francisco and New York City. I think this one ranks pretty close to the top when it comes to new experiences and discoveries. (The super hot habanero sauce experience likely won’t ever be repeated!)

I’ve pretty much been talking about my trip non-stop. Poor Marc, I think he is tiring of hearing about Mexico (maybe he’ll be convinced to come next time…). It was that good.

I feel ready and recharged to focus on my 2015 goals and to start working on some real positive change.

I for one, am very happy that is February is gone and behind us. I know that this is likely not an “enlightened” way of thinking – but seriously I didn’t enjoy February all that much. It was simply a month of bad stuff happening.

Now that March is here, I’ve decided to hit the 2015 reset button. The new year starts today: March 2. Good-bye to the crappy stuff that consumed February (losing Murphy, injury, never-ending flu/cough/migraine).

Hello to the greatness and optimism of March.

I’m kicking things off in style with a six-day yoga retreat at Casa Om in Mexico. I’m so looking forward to six days in a new-to-me place – the yoga, the relaxing, the hanging out with my mom, meeting new people, the water – all of it is going to be great.

I might be putting a lot of pressure on March but the thing is that March leads into my favourite month… April. I love April – bike riding outside, birthday cake, sunshine, flowers, birthday cake. Can’t go wrong with April!

I just finished reading an interesting article about Buddhism and lessons we can take from Buddhist wisdom… you don’t need to be a Buddhist (I’m not) to read and appreciate this article. Even if you take one thing from it, I think you’ll feel a bit different.

(I promise to eventually write about bikes and bike stuff – but really there is nothing happening right now. Haven’t touched my bike in over two weeks (damn February), but soon enough it will be time to pedal outside, so expect many long-winded ruminations on balancing on two wheels.)

Oh, and if you’re looking for something to do on Wednesday night… Come on out to Sir Robert Borden High School for the 2015 Waterwalker Film Festival – this event is organized by the Brazil Bound team (five Ottawa-area canoe slalom athletes who will represent Canada at the 2015 Junior/U23 Canoe Slalom World Championships in Brazil). If you can’t come out on Wednesday, check out the fundraising page and help these teens out.

And one more thing… my friend is looking for a cyclo-cross bike. Do you have a size 52 or 50 ‘cross bike that you want to sell? Let me know….

To say the last couple of weeks have been challenging would be an understatement. We miss our guy. We miss him so much. Many thanks to all of you who took the time to phone, email, text, comment and just listen to us talk about our Murphy. Marc and I truly do appreciate it.

Some people don’t understand how we can feel the way we do. Murphy was a cat – yes – but he was also a member of our family. Marc and I have been together for almost 21 years and we had Murphy for 19.5 (and our other cat Minou for 13 years). So there is a big hole in our lives right now. It’s amazing really how quiet and empty our house feels now. I guess an elderly 4.0 kilogram cat did make more noise than we realized!

This weekend we’ve been treated with looking after our neighbour’s cat. Wow – it’s so awesome to pet a cat and to hear good ‘ol Edwin purr away. He and Murphy weren’t the best of friends but together they did a good job of keeping close tabs on the happenings on our street.

The last couple of weeks have been a bit uneventful really. Lots of bike riding in the basement. A good mix of trail and bike path running. Some excellent meals out with friends. And lots of just being thankful for what we have.

One new and pretty awesome thing is my involvement with the Parkdale Food Centre. I started volunteering at this local food centre three weeks ago. I do have to say that Tuesday evenings are very special to me now. There is nothing quite like helping others and really experiencing first-hand what it means to be appreciative and thankful. There is so much good stuff happening at the Parkdale Food Centre and I really feel so lucky to be involved.

Speaking of being lucky, in a few weeks I’ll be in Mexico! This will be my first time going “down south” and somewhere “hot”. I’m going on a six-day yoga retreat at Casa Om – this retreat is organized by two yoga instructors from Mountaingoat Yoga studio here in Barrhaven. I’m really looking forward to this trip. Even more so because my mom is coming as well. It will be a great chance to relax, unwind, do some great yoga, explore, and simply chillax.

Marc and I are also in the midst of planning a summer vacation. We’ve tossed around a lot of destinations but are now thinking of the French Alps. Amazing riding. Great trail running. Good hiking. Awesome food. Spectacular scenery. So, if you’ve been on a similar vacation in the Alps – let me know the scoop! Where did you stay? Any suggestions?

A lot of people have asked me how I “pass” the time on the trainer day-after-day… Well, here’s my secret: Netflix and The Good Wife. Perfect program for riding, regardless of the type of workout – you can get the gist of the story even if you’re staring down at your power meter and can’t focus on the television screen… Interesting story lines. Good actors. (Yes, I know television pollutes the brain – but really – isn’t life about balance?)

Speaking of training – I couldn’t be happier to be back riding under the guidance of coach Steve Weller of Bell Lap Coaching. It’s so refreshing to have a plan and a purpose for each ride. It’s only been a little over a month but I can feel a difference already. I really can’t wait for the spring and getting out there for some road rides. Oh, and of course – I’m looking forward to ‘cross season…

Well, that’s about it. We had a rough and horrible start to 2015 but I’m confident we’ve got the sad stuff out of the way and the rest of year will be a good one.

We miss you so much Murphy. Thanks for the great memories and an amazing 19.5 years. Every day with you made us smile.