My life as a runner changed dramatically over the past 24 hours... I started my day today as an unattached athlete, without a team and just running on my own. Tonight I go to bed as a member of Team New Balance Silicon Valley! I spoke with the head coach, Dena Evans, this afternoon, and joined the ladies for a workout tonight, and by the end of the night I was a proud new member of NBSV :)

I'm so excited to be a part of a team again and to train with like-minded women who share my athletic goals. When I was at practice tonight, everything just clicked -- the team chemistry and the atmosphere just felt right! I left practice with some sweet new New Balance gear and a bright orange NBSV jersey -- I'll be competing for the team this weekend at the PA Championships in Golden Gate Park. I'm not exactly sure where I'm at fitness-wise -- I'm jumping right back into racing without much prep -- but I'm looking forward to racing with my new teammates :)

After practice tonight I got to hang out with my brother and his Stanford teammates, who are currently prepping for the NCAA National Championships in Terre Haute, Indiana. I always love hanging out that crowd of crazy fun, quirky, amazingly talented group of runners -- I wish them (and UCD runner Jon Peterson!) the best of luck at NCAA's this weekend!

I just spent an hour commute on Caltrain and another 45 minutes on Muni to get back to my apartment, so it's time for bed... Going to sleep tonight thankful that somehow, things always have a way of working out :)

My sweet new gear!