The pace of life here is ummm wonderfully chaotic. My weekend was full. My week is looking just as full. I feel energized by the pace.
I've been working with my local bike shop to get my bike ready for the gran fondo ny. Eighty five gloriously uphill ish miles, on May 19th. The couple that run it are super nice, very good at what they do, and queer. The run the kind of business that is about doing right, not cranking out business. My bike is down to a last few set of tweaks. I am going to upgrade pedals and shoes. We've mutually decided the brakes need to be bled again. It happens. The course has a 2 mile downhill I am going to need brakes for. Serious brakes.
Low-key the race prep is a kind of metaphor for transition. I started with a huge problem-- what do I need to know, learn, do, experience, and be to complete the race. Little by little, the race details are clearer. I have a nutrition plan, for example. In-race nutrition is a must. I've learned to eat and drink at-speed, ish. Yeah, training. The size of the problem of getting to the finish is smaller. I can't control everything or even plan for every scenario. I can lose my race by someone else's carelessness. I am gonna be fairly ready though. Oh.. ready but learning. There is a lot I don't know and I am learning on the fly.
hmmm
Saturday I went to training and joined "Speak Out Boston", the oldest LGBTQ+ speaking bureau in the country. I am developing my initial "story"-- "the twelve words my manager said to me that changed my life". I was impressed by the training, the stories I heard, the people. I need to shadow some engagements and then I can 'go live'. I am energized thinking of it. After training I scooted to cousin's birthday party. A few hadn't seen me yet. Seeing me was a non-event for me and for them.
Sunday? 55 miles on my bike - 2 loops of twenty and a 15 thrown in because why not. I am a little amazed-- I had so little leg fatigue last night. Shoot, I got my 50 in then did laundry and cleaned the apartment. I feel fine today. Hoping to get an hour or so to ride the "quick hill" loop late in the day. I am trying to get more fluid standing, and the quick hill loop is a good vehicle for that.
The week? I have the pre op support group tonight, followed by a call for the non profit board. Tuesday is electro day. Weds there is an NB group a shy friend wants to go to, so I told them I'd go. I am going to need to figure out when to get my Weds ride in. Thursday the over 50 group... Friday more electro and a the queer cycling groups "friday 20". Next weekend? on the hook for a 60-65 mile prep ride.
shhh. I love it.
Happy Monday!
~Jenn