It was the best of weeks; it was the worst of weeks

Remember how I said that, in order to make friends with 2013, I would have to accept that things could be both very good AND very bad at the same time?

Well, this week took the cake.  It was a super-duper roller coaster.

I got the call early in the week that both masses found over the last few months ARE BENIGN.  One was a calcified lymph node and one was a cyst.  6 months of waiting, appointments, tests, and scares are finally coming to an end.  I have a few more follow-up appointments and then I go back to the usual thyroid-cancer-treatment intervals (blood draws every 3-4 months; medication adjustments as needed; ultrasounds or CT scans about once a year), plus some extra follow-ups for the new mass.

But, right now, they're not cancer - and that's what matters.

Girlie Girl, aka Girlie, aka
"The Little One"

Before I got a chance to jump and scream with delight, and be all excited that all I have to worry about is typical marathon injuries, my vet called to tell me that my little cat Girlie is also ill.  (The bigger one is the one with tumor).  It turns out my roomie's new cat has terrified her into almost not eating.  This wouldn't be a big deal, but the big kitty already steals some of her food, she eats mostly wet food which can be lower in calories, AND  she has irritable bowel disease.

Poor kitteh.

Then, as if that wasn't enough, I got an unexpected email.

Congratulations Original MAJ. You have qualified for the Olympic-Distance race at the 2013 USA Triathlon Age Group National Championships on August 10 in Milwaukee, Wis., after finishing in the top 10 percent in your age group at the Baldwin Park Triathlon.

DO WHAT?!?!

The first time I qualified for Nats  was my first Olympic tri.  I was one of very few Athenas at a race, so placing 2nd qualified me.  Initially, I thought to go, but I knew I'd get crushed and put it in my back pocket as a good future goal.  This time, I really busted my ass - and won - in a pretty good sized age group. But I had no clue it would sneak up on me like this.

Sadly, the race is closed, although I'd be able to get on the wait list - but, even if that wasn't the case, it just isn't in my budget this year.  And that's ok with me.

Somehow I even managed to really enjoy and excel at this week's stats work - nice to have confirmation every now and then that you're doing something that you're actually suited to.

And today ends pre-season.

Which means I have some work ahead of me.

After all, "Two-time National Championship Qualifier," "award-winning triathlete," and "5+-hour marathon finisher" just don't go together.