Last night was my cycling team's end of year banquet. I was shocked and very honored to have been voted "Women's Road MVP" by my teammates. I can't help feeling like several of my teammates deserved it more . . . but I'm trying to simply enjoy this. I was presented with the adorable trophy pictured above. Jackie thinks it would make a great centerpiece on our dining room table. Ha!

Our team coach also presents several awards, and he chose me as "Most Improved Racer" [or as the certificate says "Best Most Improved Racer"]. Despite the great strides forward many of my teammates have made, he said my improvment has been especially dramatic. I was SO very bad at racing when I started, but by sticking with it, I've become competent — proving that you don't need talent or aptitude if you're willing to work like a dog. And seriously, not many people stick with something they aren't immediately good at, so I'm proud of that.

I'm a bit overwhelmed by all this. And very happy.

Yesterday was also my 40th birthday. I celebrated by getting caught in a downpour on my morning training ride. It was so warm — 48! — and I couldn't stand the thought of two hours on the trainer. Happily, it didn't start raining until an hour and a half into my ride, so I was headed home. And as long as you keep moving, you stay warm. Saturday I went on the team ride in the 26 degree weather. I was pleasantly surprised at how doable that temperature is. I had the right gear and didn't suffer from the cold at all. So no more wimping out because of the weather!

But when it IS too cold and wet out, I now have rollers for indoor riding — thanks, Dad & Jill! Hopefully I can learn to use them without crashing.

OK, eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I was voted MVP! It was an excellent and wonderful birthday . . . maybe being 40 isn't going to be so bad.