A Brave New Week

Yesterday, I laid out two large plastic tubs and three smaller ones on the guest bed. I carefully folded my wetsuit and placed it in one. I pulled my Goody team cycling kit, the windstopper jacket and my favorite running hat and tossed them all on top. I put the heart rate strap in one of the small tubs, along with my Garmin power plug and favorite lap watch. I lined up a bottle of electrolyte pills and Hammer gels in another small tub.

Why?

Because I'm...

GOING TO WISCONSIN,
BABY!!!

Yeah!!!!

I'm jumping for joy at what was -- a mere week ago -- a given. I'm jumping for joy because I spent hours (and I mean HOURS) laying in bed wondering if I would make it there. Wondering if my back would sabotage my efforts, as my body tends to do now in it's thirties. I ouched and grimaced and moped and slugged my way through the week. And even by Friday afternoon, it seemed as if I would spend August explaining my injury to those amazing donors who have supported CPL and those unexpected and irreplaceable friends who have come along for this journey with me.

And I went to bed on Friday night with a glimmer of hope, because I hadn't needed aspirin for over 6 hours. And I cozied up to my heating pad and reminded myself that Tuesday held this hope for me, only to be dashed the next morning.

But, Saturday morning came. And I could reach straight up in the air without wincing. And I would rotate my arms all the way around without hurting. And, even though my back and shoulder sounded like a garbage disposal full of popcorn, I was standing there in my living room without pain.

Unbelievable.

Absolutely NOT what I expected to happen. And the most blessed thing to come my way in a while.

Oh, and I am thankful, friends. Thank. Ful.

I'm not up to 100% yet, but I went for a 4 mile run yesterday and my only complaint was the heat! I have another run and a short bike ride planned for tonight, and I'm hoping to have the same experience. I'm going to keep up with the aspirin, heating pad and cautious stretching. And I don't think the pool will see me for a few more days at least.

But I'm on the mend. I am on the mend.

And I couldn't be more elated at packing some plastic tubs than I was yesterday afternoon.

One for race clothes. One for food. One for electronics. And one for bike gear. A copy of the bike elevation chart sits next to this display, with careful notes taken when I watched Stu's video journal of the course. And my running shoes laid out for the next session.

Know why?

Because I'm going to Wisconsin, baby.

Watch out, cause...

HERE

I

COME!