After 13 years of running competitively, from elementary school, through high school, college and then about 2 and half years of running in New Mexico and then in Italy, it looks like that chapter is coming to a close.  I am one to never say never, so running in my life is definitely not over.  I still see myself as an 80 year old lady hobbling through to finish a marathon or local fun run.  This is not the end… no quiting, giving up, throwing in the towel… I am the stoic and unyielding Irena… but simply a transition.
   Many trains pass by in our lives and the successes and failures we have are all about the trains we choose to jump on or let go.  This summer, one of those trains for me has been cycling.  I have always loved bike riding, and since I arrived in Italy last May I have been using biking as cross training for running and also as a chance to see the landscape of my area.  That’s probably one of the reasons why this transition has not been so hard, scary or difficult to decide on.
   The places I’ve been able to see, the views from the tops of the mountains, and the rush of climbing and racing down the hills has made me fall in love with cycling.  This has made gradually riding more kilometers and running less a bit easier to bear.  I have always been told that the only way cyclists get injured is by falling or getting sick from the cold air (which in the past 2 months I’ve learned first hand from 2 falls where one landed me in the hospital for the night after getting hit by a car and planting my face to the ground).
   But this past year has been a constant battle of running injuries and a rollercoaster of training where I was able to build mileage and speed to a great level, and then BAM … injury!  I’ve always know that running is a balance of mileage and subduing any oncoming injuries, but it’s frustrating when you work so hard and all your focus is on something that consistently throws you with disappointment.
   Don’t get me wrong, I love and will always love running, but for now I have take another opportunity and jump on another train… or bike.