That one was for you, Ryan.

If homefield advantage plays a part in cycling, both 25-year-old David Fleischhauer and 33-year-old Jennifer Triplett are the face of the argument.

For Fleischhauer and Triplett, it wasn't their first time navigating the streets of Bellingham. Both Western Washington University graduates, Fleischhauer in 2008 and Triplett in 2000, the pair made a return trip to the town of their alma mater to claim first place in their respective men's and women's category 1 and 2 divisions of the 2011 Bellingham Criterium, part of the Washington State Masters & Senior Criterium Championships.

"It was sweet euphoria," said Triplett after winning the 45-minut- long women's race. "I got goose bumps when I finished. It's nice to come back here and win."

Fleischhauer, who was racing for bike team Harriet Sports Performance based out of Seattle, echoed Triplett's sentiments

"It always feels great to win, and this is my first win of the year," Fleischhauer said. "The roads were new on the course, and Bellingham is my favorite place to be in the world."

For 10 hours Sunday, a total of 300 participants competing in 14 different races whizzed around a one-mile road bike loop in downtown Bellingham. Starting at the csection of Lottie Street and Grand Avenue, cyclists sped up to 30 mph around Grand Avenue to Girard Street, North Commerical Street, Flora Street then back down Grand Avenue.

Record-setting cyclist Stewart Bowmer organized the event with title sponsor Fanatik Bike Co. The event included races for all age groups and experience levels. In the cycling world, categories 4-5 are for novices, while categories 1 and 2 are for professional level racers.

Adding to the excitement of the criterium were primes that were handed out to the race leader at various points of the race. For winning certain laps, cyclists were awarded cash prizes and other merchandise.

"Sprinting for prizes is one thing that makes the criterium so unique to other races," Bowmer said. "It's been a great turnout this year, the most we've ever had."

Triplett, who races for Hagen Berman Cycling Team, credited her success to the tremendous amount of racing she has done of late. On Saturday she was in San Jose, Calif., where she competed in two races. In fact, she said the Bellingham Criterium was her ninth race in two weeks.

Disregarding any possible fatigue and her seventh-place slot heading into the last lap, Triplett was still able to sneak her way across the finish line before Seattle racer Tricia Bailey, who was trailing her close.

"My partner Beth (Lyndon-Griffith) helped me out on the last lap," Triplett said. "I got up to third wheel going into the last turn and just powered my way to the finish."

While Triplett had to outrace only 13 other competitors to win, Fleischhauer claimed first place in a much larger 50-man field.

"I was actually 15 guys or so back going into the last lap, but on this track you can pass 20-25 people in a half lap," Fleischhauer said. "I was a little worried about getting pinched, but it worked out. We have a small team, so we had to play off other riders. Last time on this track (two years ago) we won, so I think we have a good strategy."

Bowmer said the races went well and were very safe, as they experienced only four crashes. But while Bowmer was pleased with how the 2011 Bellingham Criterium turned out, he said he hopes for more in the future.

"It's great to have so many come out," Bowmer said. "Hopefully in the future we can get a race closer to central downtown Bellingham."

Read more: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/07/03/2087609/cycling-wwu-graduates-return-home.html#ixzz1RLpiRM9U

Thinking of you today. It's been a while but you came into my dream the other night. Then you haunted my computer and put Makiah up to some nonsense. I miss you.

Corner Two.

I will always think of you when I think about corner two.

You'd pull up your arm chair and chug IPA's and cheer me on from the rail. You loved watching from there - observing and shouting encouragement as I whirled by. And I loved pulling up after the race and saying hi.

It's just not the same without you there.

Wah.

Last night I dreamed that I was on a boat on Lake Washington and couldn't stop crying. I was literally convulsing with grief. I didn't know where the boat was going or why I was on it - all I sensed was being extremely sad.

I woke up thinking how nice it was that I dreamed it and that in reality I didn't just cry my eye balls out. I'm sure that will come sooner or later - but for now it's nice to be tear free.

33 and counting backward...

I have goosebumps tonight. And the cause is not the normal one - this time it's the uncanny feeling that Ryan is in the room with me tonight. I've thought about him all day - and my Pandora station keeps playing a slew of songs that remind me of him.

Somedays are just harder than others.

Today was no exception. As I was in my favorite shop in Fremont, the woman who always helps me named Jennifer said she was married to a Ryan. I told her that I was too, and she started to ask about you. The awkward part came when she said, so your ex-husband was named Ryan. And I had to correct her, that you are not my ex. No, you are my late husband. A different story entirely. She then made a comment of how odd it must feel to be a widow at so young. And honestly, when you first passed that thought did cross my mind often. But now as acceptance settles into my life on a daily basis, I don't think of being a victim at all. She continued to ask several personal questions - like if we had a good relationship. And I answered, yes, the best. She asked if I would do it again, and I said in a heartbeat.

I don't think most people understand what you go through when you lose someone super close to you, let alone a soul mate. That hardship is unfathomable. But somehow, some way, you are able to continue on. And the only thing that is a sure thing is the passage of time.

I walk most places these days. The days are longer now, the temperatures warmer, and I find peace in the slower pace traveled. Plus with work and a grocery store within a mile of my house, it's hard not to put on my tennis shoes and take the dog for a walk on my errand runs. I figure we get a triple benefit out of it - she gets the exercise, as do I; we are doing some good for the environment by not driving; and I get to do some self reflection.

I turn 33 in a week from tomorrow. Another birthday, another milestone. They are starting to accumulate. And so is the passage of time between breakdowns. For that I am very thankful. At 35, I start reversing my age and get younger every year, right? Right.

thoughts

Last night, as I laid down to sleep after a late evening spent in Bellingham at Trish's annual St. Patrick Day party, I thought of you. The way your hair felt on your temple, and how I loved to rub the scoop of it - how the hair was lighter in color there. I haven't thought about the intimate details of your physical presence in a long time.

And I cried. Hard.

This morning, I woke up with a missing you hangover.

Walking into work helped. It reminded me of a pleasant memory - exactly three years ago. When Coleman came up to visit and we walked to meet you. I took a photo of the two of you, stopping to smell the spring flowers. You are still missed. And loved.

2.5

I didn't want today to go by without recognizing it. It makes me realize that time is the ultimate healer - and that suddenly, when you wish things would speed up, you realize they have and you wish they would slow back down.

Three years is the next mark. That's a solid chunk of time. And life has continued to spin madly on.

Thankfully, I've surrounded myself with loved ones who continue to remind me the beauty of living on. Of carrying on in the circle of life. Of loving, of living, of laughing and crying. To experience all of these things is so humbling.

Funny, I'm listening to Coldplay as I write. Their music transports me and highlights how many memories I have created since the last time I listened to them. So many good things have happened in my life - and I am thankful for the difficult times too. Standing on the top of mountains, looking into the valley below; breathing deep and acknowledging that my life will follow the contours of the planet. I am prepared for whatever it throws at me, at us. And that I am prepared to share this wisdom and knowledge with friends and family that need it.