Where You been

When asked, "What's been going on?" most people might just say "I've been Busy."  It's one of those knee jerk vocal reactions, that really leads a conversation nowhere.  So although I have crossed the country twice in the last week I won't qualify that as busy.  Instead I will just explain where I have been and what I was doing.

First I drove from Ottawa to Hamilton for the Canadian National Championships.  Where I made a 7thplace result in the Under23 Time Trial Championship.  After the National Criterium Championships I was taken straight to the airport where I caught the last flight to Saskatchewan.  It was important to fly immediately after racing so that I would arrive in time for my Sisters Graduation ceremony the next morning.  It is strange to think that only 4 years ago I was graduating.  It is also a little unnerving when you begin to evaluate the progression of your life.

While I was at home I did not ever touch a bicycle.  I packed light, taking only carry on luggage meant that I left all my cycling gear in Ontario.  I think this was a good decision.  The mental break was quite welcome and it gave me a chance to focus on my friends and family who are often neglected while I am training, traveling and racing.  While I was home 90% of my time was spent just hanging out with all the people I have not seen in several months.  I also had the chance to enjoy some summer activities that I have missed over the last couple years including a a game of "golf", and the chance to spend a couple days at the lake.

Of course there are certain chores that I can only accomplish while in Saskatoon.  I arranged to meet with a couple of University professors.  This was tricky because I had such a narrow window in Saskatoon, and allot of them wanted to skip town early on account of the long weekend.  The meeting s where necessary to arrange my academics in the fall.  I will be entering the final year of my undergraduate degree.  I am pursuing a bachelor of Science in Bio-molecular Structure studies and in the fourth year I am required to complete a research project.  Admittedly I am intimidated by the task, but the professors I have met with assure me that I have the aptitude, and I am sure that I can make it look like I know what I am doing ;)  The good news is that I have been accepted into Dr. Palmers Lab as an undergraduate research student.

I really enjoyed my little home visit.  It was a great opportunity to really turn things off.  There is nothing better than close friends and family to really recharge.  Now, back in Ottawa I can turn things back on.  In one week I managed to get a little fat and more than a little slow.  I have my work cut out for me and I am working on the logistics of some very big racing goals.

Training shall be based solely on feel,
while racing shall be guided by sensations and instinct.



Cuylar Conly