Tour of the Original MAJ - New York 2013

I'm going HERE

This weekend I get to go on my first vacation in two years.  It's only a weekend, but it's a REAL vacation.  We're talking NO doctors, NO hanging out at the fam's house, NO getting up at 4am for races, not really even any training (expect general fitness to keep me from gaining 1000 pounds since I plan on eating some good food). I will actually get to come back to the hotel and kick my shoes off at the end of a day, eat at restaraunts I like, go to the beach, and walk around a LOT.

Mind you, I haven't had a full vacation in going on 10 years now.  The last time I went anywhere out of state for longer than 3 business days, not to see my parents or race, was around 2004 when I went to Cancun for a full week with one of my best friends.  Don't get me wrong, I love going to race. And I have the best family and friends who support me every birthday and Christmas with race entry fees because they've all come to realize that's all I want.  But there's something to be said about that not-having-to-watch-what-you-eat-and-sleeping-past-4am part.

Something else happened this week that is of note (besides Baby's First PET Scan - a WEIRD experience. More about that later). 

A while back I told you the story of how I became The Original MAJ.  I'm reviving that tale for a reason, so bear with me.  I have done the American Diabates Association Tour de Cure Century two or three years now, and the last few years have been in honor of my mom, who is the REAL Original MAJ, because she is diabetic.  Never in a million years did I guess that she would get diagnosed with cancer right before this year's ride. 

As you might also recall, I love to give things - especially races and events - a fun name.  I called 2012's ride The Tour de Mom.  I called Rocket City 2012 El Cinco.  So it seemed only fitting that I find a good name for New York 2013.

Trust me, I started with the cheesy New York references. I'm in a New York State of Mind;New York, I Love You, But You're Bringin Me Down (my time, that is); Start Spreading the News; I'm Taking a Bite out of The Big Apple; 5 Boroughs in 5 Hours (ok, so I still like that one since I'm still aiming for that damn sub-5-hour mark!)


And then I was looking at my link for donations for the ACS this year.  They're always http://main.acsevents.org/goto/THISISWHEREYOURNAMEBELONGS.  I usually pick "Meggan Ann" as my name (since, you know, it is.)

This year, as a nod to my Mom, the best race spectator I have ever had and now a fellow survivor - and to those who've called me MAJ most of my adult life - I made it http://main.acsevents.org/goto/MAJ

So from now on I'm going to call my effort to hit 50 states The Tour of the Original MAJ.  This will be a perpetual sign of respect and appreciation for my roots.

Tour of the Original MAJ, Stop 1: Philly 2007
Tour of the Original MAJ, Stop 2: Disney 2010
Tour of the Original MAJ, Stop 3: Rock & Roll New Orleans 2011
Tour of the Original MAJ, Stop 4: Savannah 2011
Tour of the Original MAJ, Stop 5: Huntsville 2012

This year Tour of the Original MAJ returns to the site of its inception in the tri-state area with a stop in New York for 2013.

Ti'm to get the tour bus ready!

Jingle All the Way

As politically incorrect as some may consider it, I always love the sound of the words Merry Christmas.  I'm sure this is partly because I was raised celebrating Christmas, but it's also because I love the word merry.  Merry is so much fun to say; it's cheerier than happy, spunkier than  cheerful and lighter than joyous.

It's been a little tough to be merry so far this Christmas.  I have had a heavy heart, a heavy schedule, and a light wallet.

Saturday was the New Hope for Kids Holiday Ride, and a bunch of us got together and decorated our bikes.  There were lights, tiny trees, musical stuffed Santas, garland - you name it!  The ride took us about 9 miles through some local neighborhoods, stopping a little past halfway for cookies and drinks.  The best part?  The $10 ticket went to the foundation, which helps ill children and grieving children deal with their loss or their illness.

Christmas is one of my favorite times of year.  My birthday starts it, and the Super Bowl ends it, but the holidays are so merry and festive, filled with decorating and tasty delights and friends and family.  When my parents, who are my best friends, move out of state, a lot of my traditions changed: we used to go see Christmas lights, and do a "friends" party Christmas Eve and a "family" event Christmas Day.  We really take for granted how nice it is to have our loved ones nearby until they're gone. 

I've only been away from my parents one Christmas in my entire life.  So this will be my second.    And it makes me very sad.  I wasn't really looking forward to Christmas this year the way I usually do.

Riding through the neighborhoods with friends old and new, taking in the Christmas lights, laughing and singing, and yelling Merry Christmas as we rode along, made me feel like, not only did I help out the kids by contributing to the ride, they also helped me.

Maybe it will be a Merry one after all.

Whatever you celebrate, enjoy.