Fighting Sadness

For months today was on my calendar as the first day of BRAG’s STU. I was really looking forward to it because it was going to be the official launch into my 2017 cycling season. I was a little bummed when I realized that my employment at “XYZ Corp” would put the kibash on my going over to Rutledge on Thursday so that I could ride all three days, but that was alright. And then my stupidity a week ago last Sunday ruined everything.

I didn’t even attempt to get on my trainer last night, I was in too much pain.

Every time I think I have turned the corner I make a misstep, or turn my leg the wrong way, or lean back, and experience pain. It’s one shuffle step forward, one huge leap backward.

I am scheduled to drive to Auburn next Friday to ride in Bo Bikes Bama, another ride I was stoked to do, but the longer my pain lingers the less likely it seems that I will make that trip either.

I’m trying to keep the big picture in mind. I probably have another 20-30 years to use this unlovable bag of bones and want to use that time to its fullest. But I am going to be honest with you, it’s hard to look past my current situation right now and it’s getting to me.

Today I will be having lunch with some of my former coworkers. Due to my condition we’ll be eating at Tin Lizzy, perhaps the greatest non-medical beneficiary from my stupidity. I’m hoping a good lunch with friends will help some.

To insult to injury I am going to start dieting tomorrow. Let’s face it, eleven days of no exercise has not helped my waistline. Ugh.

May your Friday, and ensuing weekend be incredible.

Paulie [eatl/ga]

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9 Responses to Fighting Sadness

  1. steve says:

    C’mon Paulie! Plans change, $hit happens. Your summer of riding has not gone down the drain. You WILL recover.

    Another night of burning and it only got away from me a little bit. All that dry, high quality stuff burns hot! The ash pile from Wednesday was still full of coals.

    Today I was selected to be the decorating committee for Nicoles Bachelorette party, complete with condoms in the piñata and gummy penis candy. I am just the installer, not the buyer.

    Continue to get better and have a great weekend.

    -FP

    • Paulie [eatl/ga] says:

      Hard for me to be upbeat right now. Too many setbacks.

      Glad you didn’t set Luthersville ablaze. 😉

  2. Paulie [eatl/ga] says:

    Going to be a quiet day today…

  3. Barb says:

    Done with 28 miles. 2 training ride on SCT weren’t really much training. Couple good climbs. Sal is being an overachiever doing the 69 miles.
    So many cars here already, really wondering about tomorrow.
    Reading this on my phone is hard on my old eyes too.
    Paulie, you need to come out tomorrow that at least socialize.
    You need to get your new tshirt!

    • Paulie [eatl/ga] says:

      Bravo!

      I will be out there to hang out for awhile, not sure when or for how long however.

      • Barb says:

        We figure on riding the 40 tomorrow row, starting around 8. So, depending on how much socializing, I’d say we will be back 12ish or by 1 pm for sure

  4. HamWithCam says:

    Dude –
    Look, Life is a series of up/downs. For all of us.

    The trick is to have more ups than downs, net/net.

    Look around you. No, seriously, look around you.
    Everybody’s got problems, issues with which to deal.
    Demons even.

    Everybody gets knocked down.
    What counts is how many times you get back up.

    “If this job was easy, we could have gotten anybody to do it….”
    (Think about it.)

    Celebrate your victories. However small. Don’t dwell on defeat.
    We all lose sometimes. It’s how we…learn.

    I’ve run 25+ Peachtrees (even after I broke my hip), two marathons, hiked the AT Georgia to Virginia, and miles and miles in Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon and paddled the Chattooga and Ocoee, more times than I can count. In an open canoe. And the New, Gauley and all 249 miles of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. On a non-commercial trip I planned with 14 other folks.

    I’m no smarter than you, I can assure you.
    I’ve simply made more mistakes.
    And when I focus on a goal, I never give up. Ever.

    You’re a smart guy, still in his prime, that (one day “real soon now”) will be able to ride circles around any of us. At least me.

    And you have a new car, nice hair and a good job.

    It could be worse.
    You could be…me:
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/hamwithcam/2062891850/

    Stop your whining.
    There are a lot of folks that would eagerly trade places with you.
    In a second.

    The next time you feel down make a short drive here:
    Atlanta VA Medical Center
    1670 Clairmont Road
    Decatur, GA 30033

    Ask if you can speak with any permanently disabled veteran.
    Any one will do.

    Regards to all for a great (albeit h-o-t) weekend.
    73 de JG/HamWithCam
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/hamwithcam/

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