04.03.10 - 10 miles of tr(b)iking + a smoothie & a frappe

My daughter (who resides in CO) & I tr(b)iked 10 miles today. Took a few hours. The only destinations were the "castle" & Muddy's. The goal was to enJOY each others company. That we did, extraordinarily!

I think this tree's blooms were white last week.

I've seen these yard ornaments for a long time. Finally took the occasion to ride into the owners' circular drive. Knocked on the door to get permission to photo their art. No one answered, so I shot the birds and fled! Fast, spinning out of the gravel drive.

Oh, this was a rare (I HOPE) & unexpected find. I think it was already dead before I ran over it, then backed up to see if it was what I thought it was. And it was. Oh my word! And it appears it was filled w/ love at the final moments. Unrequited love? Suicide? WEIRD!

The eagle at the beginning of this post is another yard ornament; been keeping my eye on this bird for a long, long time. Again, went up to owner's door. Knocked. A man unbarricaded his door, listened to my request, granted permission, then locked, what sounded like, a dozen door locks. Good thing this eagle keeps guard, too. I've always wondered what the top view of an eagle's wings looked like. Scripture says "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Is 40:31)

Now, I wonder what is wings like eagles? Mighty, wide spanse? I enjoy the view from an airplane, but not sure I'd like to have the wind blowing through my face and bugs splattering on my teeth. Soaring, though, would be amazing. I also wonder, what about triking and not growing weary? Since I can no longer run, I'd like to trike forever w/o getting tired. My next big goal is 50 miles. But, I think I may be weary at that point. Perhaps not if my hope is in the Lord :-) Walk and not faint? Walking would be awesome, too. I think I can walk and not faint (especially if staying hydrated), but walking w/o pain would be a miracle!! One I don't lose sight of, though. I keep pressing forward.

Blessings Abound!

~A~

03/31/10: 10 miles

Getting behind. Many tasks seem to consume my focus & energy and I'm not even doing the tasks -- they seem to remain stuck in motion in my brain. Going round & round & round - unable to stop the cog long enough to just do it. Probably there's a drug for this, too.

I am loathing taking meds. Need one to sleep. Then one to wake up. Need several to manage pain. And supplements to keep my cells from apoptosis. I need to investigate which one will help me actually get things done & out of my head & off the myriad lists.

For now, I desire to make brief blog posts re: each triking outing. Sometimes that may mean just a picture. Most times I remember to take my camera (need a new one w/ functioning zoom). I want to take a pic to remind me to make a post. I am learning a lot during the trike. Spiritual stuff. That's been resonating in my soul and splashes up in a scene that expresses what's been unutterable. I should take a voice recorder, also. So many things come to life when I'm out on that trike. THANK YOU, CITIZENS INSURANCE!

Writing is a great distractor, for now, from finding those lists. Brief commentary on the significance of the following pics, then off to find one of those lists.....

This is that house from an earlier post (which, may actually remain in a "draft" version, unposted yet.... list, where is that list?.....)


NOTICE the "DO NOT ENTER" sign. Friend, F, does not heed warnings. Yep, I followed, too. I challenge rules.

Oh, yeah, here's another one: ONE WAY -- note direction of my guide.

Looks serene, doesn't it? Perfect spring day. Gotta decide if I want to be "in training" mode this summer or que sera sera (reminds me of a call that's on one of those lists.... hang on..... hrs later, still trying to locate the correct phone number - keep getting transferred to the next person. THIS is why I can't stay focused. I finally sit down to do "one thing" and that one thing never gets done b/c of all the run around!!! Finally -- spoke w/ "the" person, who now needs to speak w/ others b/f finding out the next step. At least, the ball is out of my court . . . for right now.

Trees are blooming all over this town. Beautiful! I hear the cherry trees in DC are in full bloom right now. Seasonal changes are amazing to watch; just seems time doesn't stand still long enough to fully appreciate all the displays. Perhaps that's good -- makes me want to drink it all in as quickly as possible: 1) it won't last long & 2) I may die yet today. BOTTOM UP - CHEERS!

Blessings Abound!

~A~

03/13/10: 6 miles of sunshine

I almost didn't trike today. The view from my perch on a chair in my apt was of drifting, menacing, dark clouds. The weather forecast called for "thunderstorms". Meteorologists annoy me. This pic below depicts most of my reality. After 4 attempts to load this picture in the correct position I give in. It is saved in the upright position in my computer. It turned every direction but the one preferred each time I re-loaded it into this blog. So, I give in. An upside down "Welcome" to you. Maybe there is some "down under" person reading this post who "gets it".

Spring is springing in the south. My trike's left front tire was flat again so I was uncertain how far I'd be able to trike today. I placed a friend "on alert", jic the trike & I needed to be rescued. The destination was Walgreens to pick up a partial-fill Rx. I am switching my Rx's to this pharmacy b/c the "other one" was continually making errors (including giving me a bottle of pills w/ over a dozen mutilated pills). Well, this one promises to be nearly as inept. They called a dr in the wrong state to acquire permission to fill the order. The wrong state?? Really??? The dr's name, STATE, & PHONE NUMBER are clearly printed on the Rx label. Do all the people w/ a "here's your sign" work in pharmacies????? Obviously, the dr called did not have me as a patient. No one from Walgreens called me to tell me "my" dr didn't claim me so they couldn't fill the script. The drug, in limbo, is necessary for me to be able to take another drug. Consequently, I haven't taken the other drug for a few days. Grrrrrrrrr!

Not only did I make it to Walgreen', but I risked going to the other side of town b/c it was such an inspiring day. People were out working in their yards, driving w/ windows down, walking, . . .
(Insert here the cute pic of 2 little kids in the covered red wagon posted at the beginning of this blog) --- again, grrr, I need lessons on how to make these pictures work in blog world. Parents were with these kids and granted permission for me to photo them.

While nearing the other side of town, I called my friend, C, to see if she was home and had water to spare. Yea! she was & did! She was "Jesus" to me today. I neglected strapping on the bag where I carry my water bottle. However, it was good to stop by and enjoy a glass of H2O and a cup of hot Morrocan tea (yummy!).

Upon leaving C's, I meandered slowly to spot signs of spring. This is MARCH, for goodness sake. The north won't see sights like these for many more weeks. In fact, the north grounds are probably white, no grass to be seen for a bit yet.

(The other pic that was inserted here disappeared - sigh)

I live beside a river. Can you detect the kayaker? He was gliding along just a little slower than I was triking. I stalked him for some distance. I need a new camera - my zoom feature is dead.

Spring colors seem to be the most vibrant, energy pulsing colors of the seasons. I love fall colors: deep, rich, powerful. Winter's snow color is brilliant, cleansing, dazzling. Summer colors are: life giving/sustaining, promise of permanence. Wow, poetic :-)

I wanted to photograph yellow daffodils, but didn't want to trespass into the person's lawn to get a close-up (need a new camera).

I almost didn't go out today. Glad I did. Glad a student stopped by my apt to tell me how warm it was outside. I would've remained inside trusting the weather report vs stepping outside to see for myself.

Blessings Abound!

~A~

January 18, 2010 Martin Luther King, Jr Day.

The following picture has absolutely nothing to do with MLK day. It is just a picture of today's feet attire selection. You cannot tell from this picture, but my socks are inside out because it seemed that the outside was softer than the inside & I wanted the softest side next to my skin.

Yes, I have a singular flip flop on my left foot (two flip flops wouldn't fit on this foot). Wearing my regular left shoe creates a significant height difference, which makes me hobble much more. Recall that my right leg is now 1" shorter than my left leg. Wearing the flip flop makes the difference a true 1" vs when wearing a regular shoe which makes the difference closer to 2". I am to wear this post-surgery shoe until ..... I really don't know how long. I return to the foot/ankle dr on 2/1. I guess I'll find out then what is next. This "shoe" prevents my toes from moving.


I sleep in this "shoe", also. The only time it is removed is when I shower. And I'm supposed to only weight bear through my heel. This "shoe" makes that the only option.

Well, I have a few other things to manage tonight before heading to sleep soon. Know that....
Blessings Abound!
~A~

01/13/10: Wed eve --- missing triking.

WOW - been many places and done many things since last blog. None of which includes being out on my trike. I'm very much looking forward to that soon. I return to MI the 1st wk of Feb for follow-up dr appt re: my new SMART TOES (google: smart toes). Hopefully, then I can move my toes and go triking.

Over semester break, I drove 3,259.5 miles in my Element! And my body feels it. While in MI, my driver side seat cushion was re-modified, which makes my bones less pained. I also had surgery on all my R toes. The pic is below, so here is your warning: exit out of here if you don't want to see scars. In this pic the sutures have been removed. I wear a special shoe on my R foot, which keeps my toes from moving when I walk (heel weight bearing only). Problem is that there is no lift in this shoe, which creates discomfort (read: PAIN) in my entire body. It is amazing that when only one part of the body is harmed, the whole body seems to cry out in pain, as well. There is a 1" difference in leg length (from crushed R ankle), so I hobble even more now, which throws every spinal "joint" out of alignment. This is only temporary, so I will persevere through this. I can walk!! slowly. very slowly. I am discovering that the slower I walk, the less pain I feel.

I wonder what I am supposed to be learning through all this. The outcome of the accident has radically slowed down my life. Since 12/15/09 (smart toe implants) I move even slower. My brain feels like it is slowing down due to increase in pain meds. Seems if I get much slower then I will have to be dependent on someone, anyone. At least I have time to ponder this for the next few months. I'm open to suggestions / insights from "ya'll".

It is late. I have much to do tomorrow, in a slow sort of way. I have to plan more time now to do simple tasks. At least I have time to plan extra time :-)

Blessings (do) Abound!!
~A~

Pic below


SMART TOES implanted on 12/15/09

Thanksgiving Day 2009: I have no idea what today's "date" is. It's just "day next". I am not thankful that the back tire on my trike is unattached. I have zero idea how this occured. I rode once post OBX marathon and everything seemed "fine". I haven't been satisfied w/ the tune-up that was done in this town pre-marathon.

A friend will be returning to town tomorrow and I'll see if the two of us can get the tire re-attached to the trike. If not, I'll pack it up for the trip back to MI in a couple weeks.

I am grateful this semester is nearly over. I am amazed at how exhausted teaching one class makes me. The teaching part is fun. The prep and grading papers, projects, etc is not fun or fast. Class time seems to fly by too quickly. The information in the papers & projects is meaningful. I could spend days literally responding to points made in a single paper. Balance.

I believe I've established routine, but not balance. I'm better at looking at my schedule in the mornings to see where I have to be and doing what. The majority of time I remember to take my Rx b/f my body screams at me for forgetting.

I did not eat cafeteria food all week last week. I feel better inside. Healthier, even though I was eating salads over there. I'm going to continue this new routine and see if I will begin to feel more better.

Blessings Abound!
~A~

11/08/09: 26.2 miles + 3 or so miles

Had a fantastic time! The OBX Marathon organizers went above & beyond to make this a memorable event. I had 2 bicyclists escort me the entire route. We started 10 minutes before the actual start time so not to be in the way of the elite runners. Around the 1/2 way point we began passing 1/2 marathoners. DO NOT wear headphones of any type when exercising outdoors. Runners could not hear the bikers yelling, "Bikes on your left - move!" At times they literally pushed people out of our way.

The finish line came way too quickly. I did not keep track of the miles passed, just enjoyed the perfect weather and beautiful scenery. Of course, I did not have my camera w/ me b/c I didn't want to stop to take pics. Since I wasn't mentally prepared for the finish corral to be right around the corner I wasn't psychologically prepared to be done. Done. That simple.

Triking a marathon is vastly different from running one. Triking provided me VIP treatment. Running is everyone on their own. W/ running, there is the challenge of getting ahead of the person in front of me. W/ triking, getting in front of a slow 1/2 marathoner was an not fair advantage. Even climbing the bridge, I was a bit faster than most of the runners. I have to use my right arm to add pump motion to my right leg when climbing hills. I met a couple from Cleveland, OH while climbing the bridge. They left yucky weather in OH and was thrilled w/ the picture perfect, cloudless, blue sky day on the OBX. W/ running, there is always someone in every direction of my body. W/ triking, there was me, Robert, & Chad. We stopped for about 45 seconds near the Wright Memorial for the men to use the "nice" restroom facility. They each took another turn for urine relief on the rest of the trip. I think I was on so many meds, I didn't need any breaks. W/ running, it is common to see runners relieving their bladders behind trees, on the sides of the course, anywhere, especially if there is a line at the port-a-potties. I missed that experience since I was triking well ahead of the full marathoners. W/ running, every step of the last few miles is a physical cry for the torture to end and the finish line to hurry up and appear. W/ triking, I never even envisioned the finish line - hadn't even considered it really. Suddenly, it was there. My escorts were gone and it was all over. I wasn't ready. W/ running, my body would be completely aching for food, hydration, comfort, sleep, etc. W/ triking, I was a little thirsty & determined to eat the celebratory bagel and orange slices (there was other food available).

It amazes me that people would want to drink beer after a grueling workout. They've just put their body into dehydration mode and then to consume beer adds to the dehydration. Doesn't make sense to me. The bananas, peanut butter, carbs, oranges (sugar) - those make sense. Gatorade, water, yes. But not beer.

Well, now to decide on my next challenge. I think the greatest challenge, personally right now, is to decide where to plant myself come Januaray 2010. Deciding on my next triking goal will be a little easier. I believe I'll work toward a 50-miler. I need to find the point where my body is physically exhausted. Hitting the wall. The 37 mile jaunt did make me mentally hit the wall. And I survived it. It will be very easy to settle into apathy. And that even sounds tempting. In the meantime. . .

Blessings Abound!

~A~