Week 19 was a GOOD one! Vacation!
Really tho, if it wasn’t a vacation spent with family, I don’t know if I could have handled being away from the dojo so long. I’m going on just about 3 weeks away. And I don’t like it. The vacation was great, and I did okay atsticking to my workouts. However, after Friday, I did fall behind on my push ups, sit ups and kata.
It wasn’t that the bike ride took too much out of me, it was more that I was really immersed in the culture of the ride for those three days. After cycling 100 miles on saturday (my new one day record – the old record was 96) I was ready for FOOD… massive amounts of food… and rest. I was pooped, but still intended on doing my push ups and sit ups at the very least. But really, I had to take it all in. Saturday night the cyclists and supporters took over the LaGrange campgrounds. 15,000 cyclists and thousands more volunteers and supporters were all packed in. It was a very cool feeling to be surrounded by all that energy. Walking around amongst a bunch of people who had the same funny tan lines, sported the same spandex-is-cool style, the same helmet head thing going on, the same short-strided, slightly sore-muscled walk… I just took it all in.
Then Sunday morning was another amazing thing. Picture that many people with bed head standing in line at 6 am waiting for their plates to be piled high with pancakes dished up by volunteers who were all about wishing you well and reminding you to put on the sunblock. I’m telling you, you should all do this ride. Two days of riding down mostly rural roads where normally there’s not much going on. Except for those two days there are cyclists stretching out for 20+ miles. Farmers are sitting on the tailgates of their trucks holding up signs saying thank you. Barren hillsides suddenly lined with well wishers and balloons and signs. In the small towns and on the outskirts, there were people in wheelchairs or with canes holding signs that said “Thank you for riding for me!” Touching doesn’t begin to describe it. I can’t wait to do it again.
I’m a bit anxious about catching up on my push ups and stuff, but like I said, I have a plan. I should be good to go by the end of the month. Double up on everything for a week ish and I’m back on track.
Sometimes I need to be less rigid about routines and just breathe in the experience that I’m having. I need to work on finding and fostering that balance.
Time to start carrying out some ideas for my community service project.
Can’t wait to get back to the dojo!