Today is not only Christmas Eve.
It was my last day of work at the bicycle shop where I have been for 10 years.
I know this, because B was 2 years old when I started. It was the same time I started on my triathlon journey with a Couch to 5k program at the local running store.
It is a bittersweet day.
I am super excited about my new job, but I am also really sad to be leaving somewhere that has been such a great experience.
It's like I'm leaving my family behind.
It's like going off to college, but knowing that I probably won't come home. Also, with the maturity of a 50 year old woman, rather than a snotty 18 year old girl.
But I know (and they know), I'll be around.
So why did I cry all the way home after we closed for the holidays, said Merry Christmas, hugged, and went our merry ways?
On January 3, I'll start my new job. My new Career!
The cool part, is I get to create it as I go, since this is a brand new position. The state museums have never had a "Curator of Education" that can focus on marketing existing programming to schools and the public, as well as work with site staff to create new ways to engage visitors.
I've always been a strong proponent of "making history relevant", and it seems like the history world has caught up to me, because that is what "they" (the museum and historical associations) are pushing now.
Thank goodness.
But, I will be working full time, as well as running the household, and making sure everyone is doing what they need to be doing.
I am back to being a full time Museum Geek, as well as a full time wife and mother.
But what about the Triathlete part...
Many people train for major races while working full time. I have no idea how they do that.
I'm exhausted working part time, getting the kids off to what they need to do, keeping the house together, never mind training.
Most people get up early and get their training done before work. Gyms open early for these folks.
Have I mentioned before I am not a morning person?
The new job will also put a little damper not only on the training, but also the racing.
I will be required to work many weekends, assisting the 4 museums that my agency runs, during the summer months.
That means the longer distance races are off the calendar--at least until August.
Late season racing is good for me. But having those lead up races definitely helps.
Luckily, I should be able to get back to the Thursday night sprint triathlon series that I enjoy so much.
Which leads me to some of the new things I'll be doing this year.
My running buddies, in searching for new "epic shit" to do, are looking into some new events.
First, I have signed up for my first trail race.
I'll be training for the Traprock 17k trail race. They offer a 17k and a 50k race, along the ridge just east of my house. So it is very convenient.
It is also really hard.
Trail running is always slower than running on the road. But when you add in the terrain of Traprock (where you basically are climbing for parts of the route), a 11 mile running race which should take less than 2 hours will probably take me closer to 3, or more.
Luckily, I have until April to train. And bonus, I can train on the course.
My friends also want to do some gravel riding.
This is kinda a cross between road cycling, and mountain biking.
In our case, we are going to tackle the Erie Canal Trail in New York.
If I can get a gravel bike. That's in the works--more about that later.
The Triathlete in me won't stop...I'm just taking a little break.
But until then, I need to go find some professional attire.
I don't think jeans and t-shirts with bicycle logos on them will cut it.
Merry Christmas!