I’m a klutz, actually a nerdy klutz if truth be told. Once I fell in love with triathlon, I needed a proper race bike to replace the old hybrid that I had been riding. This meant I needed to learn to use clip in pedals to become more efficient in my cycling. Last Christmas, Santa brought me a lovely Giant Defy carbon composite road bike. I named her Venus in Overdrive after a favorite Rick Springfield song. That is just what triathletes do.

They say that everyone falls off their bike when learning to clip in and it it is not a matter of if but when. I had a great private coaching session to learn exactly what to do. My first time out I fell three times landing hard on my left hand. I tore my ulnar collateral ligament of my left thumb. This required surgery to repair. My fall happened in April but I had a heavy race schedule so special splints were made to protect my hand from further injury. Surgery was November 9th. Time to celebrate as my cast comes off today!

I was thinking the timing of this cast removal was rather symbolic. It is that time of year where we cast off any negativity, doubt, fear or anything dragging us down as we look forward to a new year and new possibilities. So I ask what are you casting off in your life? Are you ready and open to what this new year can bring you! Dream Big & Race Happy!

This will be my first ever blog post! Full disclosure…I’m a rambler and my grammar might not be the best. I just thought that I have things I think about and would like to discuss. I’ve been thinking about pulling the trigger on this blog thing for awhile. I even asked my friend, Jo the web designer, where she thought I should start but I’ve been dragging my feet. As you get to know me you will see I do that at times.

So let me give you the quick and dirty on me in case you are “meeting” me for the first time. My name is Allison and I’m the mother of boy/girl twins that will be 8 in February. They are affectionately referred to as the “twinkies.” I’ve been married 17 years to my hubby, “Marathon Man.” Oh and he is super fast!  We have the cutest dog, Charlie. I’m from the south but live in the Chicagoland area for the last 10 years and love it!  I’m a Stay at Home Mom. I had a long rode to becoming a mother with fertility struggles so am enjoying every moment of their growth. I volunteer at their school every chance I get. I’m a runner and triathlete…true story and equally surprising to my longtime friends and myself as well. More to come, stay tuned…