Band of Brothers

Okay, yet again I don't have much to report on the training front, other than that I've been in the gym, out for a fall hike and the mountains to the west of my house are, well, snow covered. In a couple of weeks I'll be headed into Boulder for a Race Across America "meet and greet" with the organizers of RAAM, several current and former racers and staff. It'll be a great fact-finding mission for my own solo effort as well as the 4-person mixed team that Team Strong Heart is building for '08. Stay tuned for a an update on how that whole thing unfolds...
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The meaning of family and friendship has changed dramatically for me since moving out to Colorado almost two years ago for my job. With the cross-country move, the new job, new friends, co-workers, etc., I have had to adjust to breaking bread on Christmas Day with my "new" sisters and brothers at the firehouse while not doing the same with my family in Chicago, have adjusted to sharing the highs and the lows with those same folks, with joining two new cycling teams, one for the Race Across America and one for the "everyday" sort of training and racing that we like to do out here.

Family has extended to include those at the firehouse and those at the local bike race. Joining Team Strong Heart about a year ago expanded that definition and I'm a firm believer that my life is much, much better for it. Now, when my heart is broken or my strength (mental or physical) is failing, I have a richer bank to draw from and to pay back in every little way that I can. I know that I can count on every single person who has chosen to be in my life with my life, quite literally. When the call for service comes in at work and when the starter's gun goes off at the local criterium, I have an enormous sense of support and a foundation for truly wonderful things.

I've had an interesting turn of events in my personal life as of late and the past couple of weeks have proven to me that no matter what road I'm traveling down I am never alone in those efforts and travails. Thanks to all of you who care enough to read my ramblings, support Team Strong Heart and keep an ear to what is happening with my solo RAAM training and TSH in the upcoming year.

Keep the rubber side down...

Tim