09/07/09: TWENTY MILES! Happy Birthday to my oldest son!

Triked 20 miles on Monday afternoon - took 2 hrs. Not bad. At about 18 miles I felt done. But, since I was so close to my goal, I pumped harder. A couple of times, rainy mist covered my glasses, but felt refreshing.

I wanted to go to a place north of town (I think it was north -- I feel directionally confused here) where an overpass created a "hill". The "hill" was right around the 9 mile mark, which meant there would be 9 miles back to my point of origin. There is a greater "hill" a bit more north of this one. I'll tackle that for my next looooonnng triking venture.

One thing I am discovering about conquering these hills is that I really only have one leg doing the pumping. My right leg basically holds the pedal in place until my left leg completes the circle of the motion so it can press forward another foot (ha ha) up the hill. Another thing is that when I press my right hand onto my right leg I get a little more ummph into the push. And then my right thumb aches after a few pushes. I'll figure out a technique where all is smooth and pain-free :-) That's what training is all about, right? Finding out what works and what doesn't. And then capitalizing on what DOES work. Never, ever give up. Look from another angle.

Because I was utterly consumed w/ observing traffic and keeping the pedals moving I did not take any pictures. I did take my camera, but didn't slow down enough to snap any shots. I did see a turtle and a couple shed snake skins. The turtle was either deceased or sitting very still in the edge of the grass. That's something that's quite different here (not the turtle position): there is tall grass along the edge of the road. And there's barely any shoulder to the roads. No shoulder area does not make sense to me. Where do vehicles pull over if there's a fender bender?? Where does the snow get plowed to in the winter? OH yeah, no snow here.

Tomorrow (Wed), a group of students & instructors are going on a bike hike. I didn't organize this, so I have no idea what's happening. I'm just excited to go follow the crowd (that's so un-like me). Hopefully, we'll go slow enough that I can take pictures. If not, I'll just snap shots of them way ahead of me :-) It seems a bicycle travels faster than my trike b/c of the wheel circumference difference. I'll have to work harder than the bicyclists, I suppose. It will be fun!

Life is interesting. Much is happening in my life; more than I could ever place in this blog. I'm learning more about my energy. I'm getting tired more quickly b/c I'm doing so much more now. Consequently, this is helping me sleep better.

I think this accident experience has caused me to be passive, in several regards (thinking back to "following the crowd"). While lying in a hospital bed for months, I guess I acquiesced to medical personnel's directives. Sure, I wanted to get better to go home, but from observing me post hospital, I tend to go along with whatever I'm told. Without too much questioning, on my part. This is SO NOT me. My family may likely disagree w/ my perception of acquiescing. One story that I actually have a little memory of, actually it is my 1st memory post accident. Some of the details I don't really remember, but I recall elements of what my family told me. A nurse, Amy, was working w/ me to raise my sitting position from 45 degrees to 90 degrees. Apparently, this caused discomfort & confusion for me. I didn't think it was possible for me to do what she was instructing me to do. I kept telling her that I couldn't do that. She insisted I could. Finally, and this is the part I do remember, I said to her, in the most diplomatic tone of voice possible, "Apparently, Amy, one of us needs to leave the room right now, and I'm in no position to do so." I recall her asking me if she could do anything for me while she was out of the room. After thinking for a moment, I remember I was seething inside - indignant that she was wanting me to do something that hurt - I was HURT enough and she didn't need to cause more pain - after contemplating, I said to her, "Yes, would you draw a picture of what's happened to me b/c I cannot see my body?" She left and returned w/ the most amazing picture. I remember asking her to sign & date it b/c she would be famous someday for such a magnificent drawing. She had labeled every broken bone in my body on a stick figure person. And the most wonderful thing about this drawing, is that, after all my diplomatic tolerance of her, she drew a smiley face on my broken stick figure :-) This drawing is in every file of mine in MI and now NC. I'm not sure how, but GOD is orchestrating Amy's fame and benevolence toward me. This "first memory" was 4 days post accident. And then the memories get sketchy (ha ha) again for a few more months.

Blessings Abound!!
~A~