a slight change of course

Yesterday, my gym membership lapsed.

I had given some serious thought to renewing it, but with money being tight and Sweetie telling me she wasn't sure she'd use the membership enough to justify the cost, I had to consider whether it was wise to renew for 2012.

The truth is that, because of changes in my work schedule for the coming spring and summer, it's not clear whether I'll even be able to race short-track. I have already made plans to sell the 700c 'cross frame that I had bought over the winter; if I end up being able to race cyclocross next fall it will be on Stompy, which is due for a full overhaul and a wheelset rebuild. Stompy is heavy, but fits me and is a very known quantity.

I am consciously trying to get more work in the Jewish community, as a teacher and/or musician. This has potential, as nearly everyone I've talked with or worked with has been pleased with my work and/or music and wants to help me find ways to do more in the community. There is also the possibility that I may be able to grow some business on the side as a mediator and facilitator but that is still unclear. What I do know is that, with more Jewish work, I can only give up so many hours at the bike shop without changing my ownership status, and the bottom line is that there are still only so many hours in a day. Something has to give and this year it may well be racing.

I have some dumbbells at home, and can do simple things like crunches, stretching and light weights to maintain some degree of fitness. I can also still add intervals in the spring to gain a little speed. There are a couple of things I will miss by eschewing gym membership this year, like leg presses, the shoulder pull-down and most of all the chair-lift thing where I can lift my legs up into a right angle using my core. But there are other ways to work those muscles and this year I will be doing it on the cheap.

Meanwhile, I am also taking a hard look at some musical opportunities coming up this summer, one of which may involve some travel. (For more on that, see the music blog.)
Preparing for these opportunities would also cut into my racing, and I need to be realistic about what is most important right now and what have time and resources to pursue.

This doesn't mean I won't go out and have fun on my bike; there are still plenty of longer rides to enjoy, maybe a S24HO or two; and there's a new skills park open in outer SW Portland that I need to take Stompy to check out. And there's my daily commute, which some days is like a balm for my soul. So while I may not race as much in 2012, I'll still be riding a ton.