Venus de Miles...

 Yes, that's me on the bike!!!  I know we're all so used to seeing Brent there that you might have done a double-take.  It was my biking husband's suggestion that I participate in the Venus de Miles this year, a supported, all-women's riding event with three different courses of varying distances: 25, 50 or 100 miles.  My friend, Jessica, and I chose to do the 50-miler, and when they re-routed it the week before, it actually turned out to be 52 miles.  I had never before ridden that many miles or for that long all at once!  It took us about 3.5 hours in total, and the whole family was there to cheer me on when we arrived back in Prospect.  (Thanks, Mom & Jim and Pam & Bob for coming out to support me!)  My ankle held up, which I was so thankful for, and I was able to ride the whole time without stopping.    It was really fun, which I'm happy to report, and Jessica and I agreed that we weren't really ready to be done at the end, a fun revelation that made us wonder if we could someday see ourselves training for the 100-miler!  I felt strong and rather proud of myself afterward. 

You can see from these pictures that Jessica and I had a heyday at the "after party," leaving no food/drink coupon unused.  And why not put on a feather boa and other random regalia after a 52-mile ride?!  I'm so glad that we got to do this event together!  It will be a great memory for us both, I'm sure.