Pain, Pleasure, and Peace

I guess you could say I've had a little of them all this week. I probably should wait until I am in a better mood to write this post but I need to get it all out before I forget!

It's been a week. I walked into the pool Weds and Kathy was there! It was so nice to have her back swimming with me. Weds night I went over to Austin's with Jennifer for some home cooked meatloaf and sweet potatoes. While it cooked, I got in a good 3.5 mile run. It was HILLY!! Ugh but it was fun to hang out but my poor legs were toast.

Thursday morning was a good workout and I headed out of work early and spent the afternoon with Pam and the kids playing in the park. What a wonderful afternoon! I had dress rehearsal that night for the Good Friday service and I was picking Chelsea up at the airport at 12am. In between, I caught up with Kathryn who was home from her mission trip!

Friday morning, I was meeting Alex, Valerie, and Ellen at the pool! I was tired, excited and nervous. I hadn't ever swam with Ellen and the last time she saw me in the water, I was still struggling to breath right. I made it through the workout and we all were meeting up for lunch. In between, I was getting my oil changed before our big White Lake trip on Saturday. I was bending over cleaning out the front seat when I felt this blinding pain. If I was a cartoon character, there would have been stars going around my head. My back had given out. But me being me, just kept moving and figured it would work itself out. By time I got to lunch, I was miserable. It was so sore.

I slept the afternoon away and alternated between heat and ice. I headed to the Good Friday service and I was in so much pain. I had to walk up four stairs to speak and that was so painful and awkward. After church, I skipped on the outing with the group and stopped and got some more medicine and a hug from Pam. I was so upset and mad. All I wanted to do was ride on Saturday. We'd been planning it for months. Why did my body choose that moment to give out?

Saturday morning came bright and early. I was stiff and sore and still wondering if I would even be able to ride. But I was going. I packed up the car and loaded my bike and off I went to pick up Alex. I was kind of cranky too- sorry Alex!

We had a good ride to White Lake and to make a long story short, we meet up with a group from Raleigh who were riding the same route. They were great! They helped us find a place to park and it was nice to ride in a larger group-12 total. Just by looking at them, I knew there were some fast riders. My goal was to pace myself and leave something for the last 15 miles. One of the guys, gave me this stuff like biofreeze to put on my back and use along the ride. It helped and I think my back liked getting stretched out.

It was an amazing ride. I found some peace and comfort on the back of the bike. It was a good pace, beautiful scenery, sunny, and very flat. There was some wind but nothing more then a mild day on 150. Considering my back and this was our longest ride this spring, we made amazing time. I did leave something for the last 15 miles and I rocked them! I held nothing back. My last mile was as good as my first. The people we met were great! Alex and I had a fun day together and I am so proud of her! She was great on the bike! She is so ready for White Lake!

Reality and the pain in my back returned on the way home. I can't get comfortable and every day tasks are an effort. It frustrates me. I feel unwhole. I don't like this feeling and it stresses me out. I have less then one month til White Lake. I don't need this right now. Boohoo! Ugh!