Today is the last day in Chicago. We came up here for Trudi’s mom’s 80th birthday celebration. It was a long haul yesterday for me. From 3 to 11. Man, it is amazing how destroyed I am from just doing normal daily life activities.

The party was a huge success. Trudi’s mom invited friends from all facets of her life, her old time German friends, her current work friends, plus family, etc. And everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. The food was catered, and great, and it only rained for a few moments, which just added to the evening.

I didn’t have the energy to get to downtown for the triathlon. Gwen Jorgensen won the race, which is awesome. She has won the last 3 races and has now won more ITU events than any other woman in history. She came off the bike 66 seconds down and ran the leaders down with just 2 km to go and solo’d in for a win. She seemed super happy, which she should. All her friends and family were at the race. It was also the US National Championships, so she is US National Champion, and is going to be the venue for next years World Championships, so it is important in a lot of respects. Pat and Gwen were having a party last night, but we were here for Trudi’s mom, so we didn’t make it. That would have been super fun, but you can only be one place at a time.

We finished up roofing Truid’s mom’s shed. It turned out pretty good. More work than I’d hoped, but that is always the case. But, it is done, so I am going to try to go out for a ride today. I haven’t ridden in two days and am pretty sore, in general, from the last two days, so we’ll see how that goes. The flat pedal comments make good sense. I have my pedal tension set so loose that my foot comes out pretty well, but flat pedals would be better. I’m back using crutches today. I’ve been trying to use a walking stick/cane, but it doesn’t take enough pressure off my hip. But the crutches are doing havoc on my right shoulder, which I had put back together last year, so it is a trade-off. Always a trade-off.

We might drive up to Milwaukee and watch the last day of the Tour of America’s Dairyland race tonight. It starts at 7:30. Trudi has to be in Madison tomorrow afternoon to pick up riders from the BMC Development team that are going to be doing the National Time Trial and Road Race. I like Madison, but don’t really like hanging out at a bike race I would like to be riding. Always a trade-off.

Trudi, her mom, and a good friend, Tom Franklin.

The party was at Trudi’s brother’s house.

Gwen coming to the finish yesterday.

The transition area was kind of a cluster.

Gwen won the race, is US National Champion and is leading the World ITU standing. Not a bad day.

Original 40 year old shingles.

Finished. I put a little accent in for fun.