The Roughest Road Wins?

Who knew smashing my face into the pavement could land me in the lead on a contest?

I read Steve's post about the gnarliest crash... laughed to myself and wondered how my accident would rate. Well, first I had to decide which one sucked more... the jaw incident or the broken ankle.

While snowed in during Snowmeggedon at a friend's house.. She asked me which was the worst surgery I had. Since she knew me during the broken jaw crash, she instantly assumed that's the one I'd pick. If we're going for the longest lasting with the most inconveniences, having your jaw wired shut and going to the dentist 2-3 times a week for a few months clearly takes the cake. In terms of pain, the ankle was the worst surgery I've faced. The day following surgery I was in the worst pain I had ever experienced. No amount of Percocet even made a dent in the pain I had shooting through my legs. I suppose that will happen when you have plates and screws put in. (interesting side note: There are relatively few nerves in bone. However, the thin, film-like covering of the bone surface, the periosteum, is very rich in nerve endings. Drill through that.... yowza).
D sent me a message and told me I had to enter, as did a few other bloggers who have read my stuff. So, without further adieu:

Vote for me - Recovery Ride Face Plant

You vote for 3 female and 3 male injuries. Warning - some of them are very graphic. Bruising, no biggie... no toenail.. barf.

Dropping the Ball after the Ball Dropped

Clearly, we're into February already and I've been quiet as a mouse. I promised an update in my last post, but then never followed up. Plenty of drafts were worked on, but none to completion.

For the few out there that actually care what I'm up to, here's the rundown:

December was a month full of fun. Lost my job. Went home to Ohio to chill/help mom out with some things. Missed the epic DC snow storm. Celebrated Christmas with the family.
Bought a car. Well, technically it's a crossover SUV. Nissan Rogue. I'm in love with it. The ZX2 (don't get excited, thats a Ford Escort for those not keeping up on their cars) was having some hurt. The transmission was about to go... with just shy of 100K miles, the transmission and timing belt replacement would have cost far more than the car was worth. So, without a job, I bought a new car. I have better pictures of my love but I can't seem to hunt down the camera cable right now. So, you must settle for a picture from my blackberry. This was taken on it's maiden voyage from Classic Nissan to this really good Mexican restaurant mom and I frequent when I'm home. mmmm margaritas.

I eventually ventured back out to DC on January 6th. Spent the next two weeks weighing various job options and working out like a fiend. If I was independently wealthy... I could totally go pro (minus that needing to be fast thing. Minor details). I swam, I was on the trainer every day, Hot Yoga, BOSU pilates, strength workouts, boot camp, time on the elliptical, and PT. If I could have run, I would have. I stumbled across an opening at Bonzai Sports for retail management... and decided what the hell. In a last minute change of plans, I now work at a bike shop. I've been doing the desk job thing for 2.5 years... and I feel like it is sucking the life out of me. I didn't really realize this until I went home and was away from it. I mean, legitimately away from it... sure I had vacation time, but I was constantly logging in on my work laptop, responding via blackberry, etc. I didn't want to go back into that atmosphere just yet... or potentially ever again. I need to be up and moving. I can't sit behind a computer or in a cube farm right now. Ultimately, I'd like to be a brand rep for someone... going around promoting a product, interacting with people, etc. I just don't feel satisfied sitting behind a computer. So, for now, I'm working at a bike shop (stop by and visit!) and going to work/coming home with a smile on my face. More important to me than a huge paycheck.

I'm still plotting out my season. I've signed up for the Double Mussel (sprint on Saturday, half iron on Sunday) in July. I have a few goals up my sleeve, but I want to see where I am on the running front before I make any firm decisions. One goal would force me to drop the sprint and focus solely on the half.... the other goal will be to enjoy both races. Strictly depends on where my run stands by April. Of course I have Ironman Florida in November. Looking to do Chesapeakeman Aquavelo as part of the prep for that... assuming I'm back in town from Interbike. Most likely doing Rumpass in Bumpass sprint, maybe Kinetic Sprint. Lots of officiating to make some extra $$$. Clearly no set schedule like last year.

I have some other posts on the horizon. I promise I'll actually *ahem* POST them.