195: so busted

Cross practice takes place about 40 minutes from my place of work. I get off at 5:00. In order to make it to practice on time, I have to leave a little early. For pretty much all of this cross season, I have been slipping out of work 10 minutes early on Wednesdays to make it to practice on time. My line of thinking is this:

1. my boss is cool

2. her office is on the opposite end of the building

3. I more than have the time in

4. better to ask for forgiveness than permission?

So tonight, the final DCCoD practice of 2007, the practice after Tuesday night's mtb ride, my 4th since July, which saw me hanging on for dear life with Todd, Buddy the keg breaker, Peaches, Paul, Jay Jay, and Dan DUB leading the way.

Truth is, I had all intentions of blowing off cross practice tonight, I mean for all intents and purposes, my season is over right? Reluctantly this morning, I loaded up the toaster with my bike, and my bag. Then it happened, it started snowing...

First I got the email from E-town:

"are we still on..."

I replied, "you know it..."

10 minutes later from Jan

"cross practice happening tonight"

I replied, "game on baby!!"

I called Tom (papa smurf)

"we are still a go right?"

he replied, "what are you a short timer? bailing on the season early? You know it's a go..."

The snow continued, at 4:30 I told my peer that I was bolting at 4:45, she said she had my back. 4:40 hits and I shut down my computer. I put on my coat, grab my bag and make my move. As I walk out of my office, one of my guys Nate says, "hey Marc can you help me out."

I reply, " sure" as I turn the corner to Nate's desk, I see my boss who is standing at Nate's desk.

It's pretty clear, I'm headed out as I am totally bundled up, and have my bag over my shoulder. She smiles at me and says," Nate needs your help..." I reply, "sure" and I help Nate, and hit then door.

I mean, I'm already busted, why be late and busted...

So close to the perfect crime. Almost and entire season of dipping out just a bit early for practice, and it figures I get busted on the last night. Just like the time I was busted night riding in a state park, the last night before day light savings time started.

I gotta say though, it was so worth it, as JayZ, Jan, Tom (Papa Smurf), E-town, L-Web, young Jeffery B, and I cruised about recreation area z. The snow had turned our practice course into a new slippery, off camber, sliding playground, as we took turns leading the group through the every growing powder. There was no structured efforts tonight, just a bunch of friends carving throw the snow.

On the run up, I lead the group, as I shuffled up the hill with Tom (papa smurf) and E-town, both much better runners than I chasing.

I looked up for a second, and saw a million snow flakes falling on me. In the light of the street post on top of the hill, I felt for a moment as if I was inside some little snow globe, and some ratty assed 9 year old was shaking the shit out of my world. I looked back at my bike, set it down jumped on and snapped back to reality as I went from leading the group, to starring at the asses of my compatriots.

An hour passes, and we mellow out a bit. The last practice of the year has been a successful one, and a blast for sure. Was it worth getting busted? I'll find out in the morning...

I love cross.

respect.

faticus