Thank you to Kathy for riding along with me today. She sent me mellow chill vibes to start the day calm cool and collected. A perfect match to the beautiful scenery of the Clearwater river that we followed through the mountains all day. Also a shout out to the YMCA Zumba class for your support- thanks y’all. I channeled your energy and support through some tough times.
On this day I was very present to the gift of my community, friends and family, my support team, coaches, my fellow riders and guides. This day was hard and I will say hard, like labor hard.
I hit a wall, started feeling unwell in the 90 degree heat at mile 88 with 30 more to go and a steep climb starting at mile 100. I wanted a ride in. I didn’t want to push, knowing the hours of pain ahead. Andrew was basically my cheer squad, my labor coach and made me repeat affirmations. Scott offered me shade, a cool drink, time to rest. John lead us off with a knowing that we could all do this. George and Brent kept an eye on us and shouted encouragement and at the top a running push. What many women no doubt feel after that final push, the relief, the release, the disbelief of what our bodies do for us, what we are capable of, our strength and capacity to endure. It’s a lot. So, of course catharsis, crying, ugly sobbing happened.
Then a crafted down prime rib and a humongous baked potato not caring that sour cream was smeared on my lips, that I hadn’t showered yay and was in need of ice packs to sit on. Labor does that to you. It breaks you open and exposes all the ooey, gooey mess of life, the joy of beauty and marvel of nature with a steep price to pay to get there.
Amen
Day of rest comming up