Early morning in Courtenay, BC

With a cup of coffee in my system I make it to the deck of the pool where jumping in is always the hardest part. After a warm-up the coach Brian looks at me and says “you know in pool swimming you don't have to bring your head so far out to breath?” He actually has lots of tips for me – I love it. So far no coach has quite managed to get the wiggle out of me although all have tried. A couple hours later I come home to 2 little girls preparing for school. Their outfits are bright colors, absolutely not matching, layers of skirts, tights, shorts and frills. After a quick reading of The Bernstein Bears with them cuddled close to me on the couch they are off. My sister and I then take off on an “easy” run along the Puntledge river. Yes this is work.

Mid-morning ride San Francisco, California

After a quick stop at the local bike shop on Divisadero I have my route picked for hill repeats. I make my way through the Presidio to the Golden Gate Bridge and arrive at perhaps the infamous Conzelman Road to do 6 x 10 minute hill repeats – steady power workout. The view is phenomenal as San Francisco lies before me. I am not alone as a woman asks me “how many times you doing this hill?”. “Six” I say. Her response, “I'm doing it 11 times”. I know she was dying to tell me as I power past her with an encouraging smile.

Lunch at Swartz Bay Victoria BC

I am sick. I had been fighting it but eventually succumbed to the fact that I just couldn't ignore the burning in my chest feeling. I am in Victoria with my mom sitting on the water waiting for the ferry to Vancouver. While waiting my mom pulls out the picnic lunch of amazing goodness. Arugula salad with cherry tomatoes, avocado, feta and peppers, edamame hummus, carrots, Rebar chocolate espresso muffin, nuts. A whole day with my mom eating, sitting, talking and getting ready to embark on another journey. Best sick day ever.

Mid-afternoon snacks Hornby Island

It is Easter weekend and I am with my family on Hornby Island. We are staying at a home that sits next to Helliwell Provincial park. It is breathtaking and the type of place that even a person who can't sit still can just stare at the ocean and the distant coastal mountains for hours. Eventually we gather on the deck – glass of red wine, lightly sauteed oysters just picked hours earlier.

Early Evening in San Francisco

Noreen has done it again as she treats me to Alfonzo King modern ballet performance for the second year in a row. The artists/athletes capture me in their movements which of course look effortless. Toes pointed, gliding and bounding across the stage, holding legs and arms with grace. This is far from my mornings at the Velo SF with Matt Dixon where a grimace is normal and sweat pours off bodies leaving pools of water. The dancers are trying to tell me a story. The story I wonder though is how do these professionals make it? Do they too have an assortment of GU gels back stage? This question is fleeting though as I am once again absorbed into their movement and effortless power. That will be me in Wildflower – effortless power.

Evening

My body is tired as I stretch out on the couch. My quads are pulsing even though I am not doing anything. The veins in my arm I notice are popping out. I have a glass of red wine on the table and am completely absorbed into the The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. It is no wonder my taxes are not done and I am behind on my blog. I can't put it down and read and read until the late hour of 9:30 where I make my way to bed. The day is done.

To note:

When I am on the road people and businesses amaze me with their willingness to help. They make me feel important and this can be the little boost I need to get through another workout. Someone smart said that it is all the moments that make up ones life. It is so often though the people that make up the moments. Thanks does not quite do it.

Simon's Cycles, Surf City Cyclery, SRAM, VeloSF

Genki Bar (I can't tell you how many times my Genki Bars have saved me from gnawing off my arm!)

Noreen Beiro and Meredith Kessler for helping me get sorted in SF