The Journey

Now that I finally finished my last nursing clinical, I decided to celebrate by riding in the Tour de Carroll Bike Ride today.  I am under no illusion about my riding skills.  They are mediocre at best, but I thought..."Why not give it the whole college try...."  After a 6 mile run this morning, I drove to Carroll County.  I thought I had dressed appropriately but at 48 degrees...I was freezing.  (BTW...I had on more clothing than my morning jog and I was FRYING in those clothes.)..Anywho...I ventured on and then at my first turn on the bike I remembered how crazy hilly Carroll County was.  A little morning insanity and I had not had my coffee yet.  I rode along with my cue sheet then I thought...Hmmm, I don't see any more yellow arrows on the ground.  Goodness, I am lost!  I had to climb a crazy hill to get back on course, then then I saw another senior citizen, gentleman lost as well.  We decided to Buddy up and we climbed our way...

About 15 yrs ago, I stood in line to get Patti Labelle to autograph my copy of her autobiography, "Don't Block the Blessing."  The book was a recount of her musical career as well as her personal losses of her sisters and mother to cancer.  She discussed how her entire family was gone due to breast cancer by the time she was 50 yrs old and how to live in the moment.  I had not thought about this book until today.  During my morning swim, I focused on relaxing and enjoying the pool rather than "fighting" the water.  As I relaxed, I become more comfortable with my breathing, balance and stroke in the pool.  I am still uncomfortable going past 6 feet in the pool, but managed to actually swim without float devices for 150 meters by relaxing and actually swimming in 3/4th of the pool than focusing on the 1/4th of that I was uncomfortable in at this juncture.  I still did the same workout as described for today by my coach...50 meter pull bouy, 50m kick an...