First Time For Everything

Thursday evening I joined my drinking club with a running problem in a non-traditional run. One of the members of our group John Byrne is a firefighter who is riding his bike from San Francisco to New York to raise funds to purchase a hands only vehicle for his sister. We did a bike ride in support of his efforts and to raise money for him.

A dear friend of mine graciously donated biking apparel from the company he works for and I was able to present that to John to help him be comfy during his ride.

Another great local company FLUID has joined in support of www.laurensride.org and gave John products and advice how to use them along his 3500+ mile ride.

Friday I did my crossfit workout in the morning where I promised that I will own those pullups one day. Pullups still seem to be my most challenging feat and I refuse to use a band for assistance. Double unders come in a close second.

I then went to my chiropractor appointment where she tried a few new techniques and I felt a lot better as I left.

I wanted to get my bike brakes checked before my scheduled ride in the evening. A friend offered to take a look at my bike for me. I had a great time watching him have fun with my bike he even set my chain on fire. He made my brakes awesome too.

My evening mountain bike ride started out by meeting up with a new friend at the local college and heading to the trail. I have never tried to ascend the trail we started out on I've only descended it and I thought an ascent would leave me hiking my bike the entire way. Surprisingly enough I only had to walk one really long nearly vertical hill at the beginning of the ride. The mid section which happens to be one of my favorite downhill rides gave me a little challenge in a couple sections. I took one graceful fall to my left and hopped right back up. We then continued on a fire road where I walked another hill because my legs felt fatigued. Thats an understatement the sun was in my eyes and my legs hit failure. My only choice was to walk and stretch my legs before jumping back on to sprint to meet up with my friend at the top of the trail. This trail is one I've been wanting to try for a while even though I'm full aware it is most likely highly over my skill level and very far out of my comfort zone. I tell myself I wanted a challenge and I start riding. Oh my goodness the first 3/10 of a mile of the trail was so scary, but somehow I rode it. My friend pauses to ask me how it was and if I was scared. I respond yes as he quickly replies this is your chance to bail out. If there is one thing I've learned about myself it is bailing out makes me unhappy, but following through and conquering a challenge fulfills me. So I keep trying. I walk sections, I fall to the right on the trail into some prickly brush as I struggle to get my left foot out of the pedal. That upset me a little, but I brush myself off and continue. I hit a section of trail that had some technical rocky parts as well as rolling hills and I was having a great time. My friend then tells me most of the hard part is over and I'm relieved, but then more challenging technical trail comes out of nowhere as my friend informs me he didn't remember that part. I get out of the saddle and walk for a while then I jump back on and begin my ride I don't know what caused my next and last fall, but I do know that it's my third one and that saying is false it wasn't charming at all. At this point I realize I did my signature fall which is on my left knee and it hurts and I see my pant leg is saturated so I know I'm bleeding. As I pull up my pant leg I see a gash that spans my knee cap. I start crying, remove my t-shirt, wrap it around my knee and continue the ride. My friend was far ahead he never knew I fell. I take it easy the remainder of the ride. I walk the sections that intimidate me and I make it to the bottom where my friend is waiting. He then tells me he wants to try the eucalyptus park area while it's light because he's always ridden it at night. I tell him I'll take elevator that is the trail name although I wish it could have been the mechanical elevator. The first time I ever rode elevator I absolutely hated it the bridges annoyed me and the berms frustrated me, but now I love it. It's a rolling trail very few rocky parts and just gorgeous. I've learned to love those bridges. Last night was different I was favoring my knee and just knew I was almost done and needed to finish. I alternated between riding and walking and heard rushing water that was so calming. I crossed a bridge to look to my left and saw a beautiful flowing waterfall. That is where that soothing sound was coming from. I met my friend at the bottom and we finished the ride. He rode to his house and I rode back to my car even continuing up the steep hill on the road where I had parked.

As I got to my car I knew three things. I was cold, needed a shirt and needed first aid supplies. I opened my car door to find my mudmashx shirt that I had given to one of the guys in my running group months ago and he had returned to me Thursday at the bike ride. I was so happy to have that shirt.

I drove to the store to pick up gauze, tape and adhesive bandages.

I showered and got warm and toughed out the pain of warm water running over my wound as I was cleaning my knee.

I then set out to assess my injury better. I looked at it and came to the conclusion that if I went to the emergency room they would suggest stitches or just pack it and wrap it. I realize I want packing gauze and not gauze wrap, but I did the best I could with the materials at hand.

I learned a lot yesterday and despite the fall and knee wound I had an incredible time!

Take Advantage of Time Off Work

I took an unpaid day off work today to go be a part of a special chamber of commerce ribbon cutting for All-Out Events. It was to get publicity for my favorite event coming up in October. It's the third annual mudmash 5k and 10k run. I put my hair in pony tails with ribbons and sported my little miss sunshine outfit. My ultrarunner friend met me there to support me. He then asked what I was doing which led to me saying going running of course I asked if he wanted to join. Asking an ultrarunner if they want to run is like asking a fish if they're going swimming, I did 5 miles and it wasn't my 5 mile day. I wanted an excuse to push myself. That last mile I wanted to quit, but I wasn't going to let that stop me from success. Having my friend by my side might have something to do with the continued push.

I took a short nutrition break and embarked on a long mtn bike ride with a new friend. I was riding a downhill trail and a rider came up behind me so fast I had little to no time to react I just moved to my right into a bush. I was so excited I moved and didn't fall I kept riding down the trail. I ran into the slo dirt girls riding up the same trail I was preparing to go down. Those women are amazing! I then learned I had a flat tire. My worst fear is being on trail with a flat rear tire and having to fix it myself. I watched my dad for years repair my flat tires with a screwdriver, a patch kit, sandpaper and rubber cement. I took off my tire with a little help from my biking friend getting the chain out of my way. I took off the tire and got my spare tube out only to learn my spare I carried had a presta valve. Yeah my worst fear manifested itself and I faced it head on. I fixed that flat with a little lesson on the presta valve and an extra set of hands. Another rider even stopped to ask if I was okay and if I had everything I needed. He was so kind. I finished the last half of the ride without further mishaps or flats.

I had a really great ride and my biking buddy even snapped a couple pics.

Time To Recognize Improvements

Thursday started out with a fun little bike ride in cayucos that ended in a warning sign to beware of the attack frog. My riding partner said I could hop the fence if I thought I could out ride a shotgun. Forget that I don't know how big the frog is. We promptly turned around and cruised back.

I then made a little pit stop to donate blood. Last month shortly after my first chiropractic appointment I began taking vitamins and other nutritional supplements and it paid off in benefitting my health. My iron level was up enough so I was able to donate a double unit instead of one whole blood unit. This can benefit me by helping me to be closer to my ten gallon donor goal by the time I turn 40. Because of the one year deferral after I chose to get my first and last tattoo in 2007 I may or may not achieve that goal. I'll stick to my donation calendar and not worry about what ifs. I'm just thankful for the dedication to my health paying off. The really fun part about donating a double unit is the way the fluid is returned throughout the process it looks like I bled red, white and blue.

Friday morning I did my crossfit WOD. It was a 1-10 ladder of box jumps, shoulder presses and kettle bell swings. I love box jumps and presses, but kettle bell swings irritate my back, but I grin and bare it just to get through the workout. I finished that and did a little trip to Trader Joes and found a nearly paleo chicken salad, champagne grapes and blueberries. Yes I improved on that too. I used to dislike blueberries but ever since I went to Gaviota and picked them I really enjoy them as a little snack.

In the afternoon I went to bike ride Johnson Ranch and decided to try it clockwise as opposed to counter clockwise as I usually ride it. Monday the bridge gave me trouble, but Friday the bridge was easy. I decided if the trail is challenging one way ride it the other way and conquer it and that's just what happened. We can do anything we put our minds to including getting over bridges!

In the evening I met my friend and his dog for a hike up Bishops Peak. We had a great time. We met a young lady carrying her 60 pound pack preparing for an 80 day outdoor camp in Canada. She was inspiring!

There have been amazing things happening on the central coast with this gorgeous weather and I'm so grateful I've been blessed with such a great place to be!

A Bittersweet Time

May 5, 2003 I began my previous job as a civilian utility worker at Santa Barbara County Jail.

Shortly after I started I met an amazing officer who was so inspiring to me. Her 7 year old daughter was battling neuroblastoma cancer and she still did her job, maintained correspondence with many other parents whose children were also battling cancer and was an amazing mother to her daughter. A short couple of months later her daughter passed away. It's just two weeks away now from the time her daughter passed away.

Fast forward to 2011. My dear friend and previous co-worker learns she is expecting a baby. I hear this news and tears start falling down my face it's so bittersweet. Her last trimester she learns she has gestational diabetes and stays dedicated to the health of her unborn child. She had a healthy little boy about 4 months ago who honestly is one of the most gorgeous happy babies I've seen and I've only seen pictures.

I wanted to make a special quilt. I asked my friend what her colors are and she said blue and brown with a jungle theme and some green. I was in my kitchen using the table as my cutting and sewing station and the most quiet peaceful feeling came over me. I know this guy is a little angel just like his big sister.

I am so happy for his mom and I love the reward of just doing nice things for the nicest people. There is no monetary value in giving love, kindness and care its simply priceless!!!

A Time To Pass

August 1997 I met and began working for an amazing woman Patty who I have grown to love as my other mother. Over the years I have become close to her family and they have taken me under their wing on numerous occasions. One individual sticks out in particular. That is Patty's mom Linda. Linda would come to visit her grand children as often as she could, first only needing to travel a short distance from San Fernando Valley then in later years making the trek on various special occasions from Las Vegas. Linda never missed Grandparent's Day and her grandchildren's schools. In the beginning I learned to love a quirky little trait about Linda that I was reminded of today while at work. I took a filled glass that had been set aside and I emptied it and I laughed a little as I did it. Linda earned a reputation for never letting anything go idle without placing it in proper order. It became a little mission of mine to try to have the house in order before her visits, but without fail she would find my unaccomplished task and do it for me and if there wasn't a task she would make one and the cupboards and drawers would miraculously be clean and organized. I like to think I adopted this great trait. One Thanksgiving I was given the chance to travel to her home on a train with her two grandsons J.T. and Chandler ages 5 and 2 respectively. Linda was so excited for our visit and I'd never been so nervous as when I was asked to say grace over the meal. A number of years went by and I moved into the home of Nancy, Linda's youngest daughter. Linda's youngest grandson Kenny was born on my birthday. I just saw Kenny two days after his dear grandmothers passing. He's five nearly six years old now. I asked him his birthday and he told me the date and I said to him that's my birthday. He just looked at me and replied,"then how are you so much older than me?" I know his grandma was laughing in heaven at her little grandson's logic. Linda came to stay for two weeks following his birth to help Nancy get settled. Just over one year later I relocated to southern California to accept a new position as a nanny.  I was fired from that job and I remember Linda saying, Joanie it was God's timing. November 2007 Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer for a second time and underwent a bilateral mastectomy and was scheduled to begin chemotherapy. I returned to Santa Barbara to live with Nancy and care for her children so she could be with her mom for her first week of chemotherapy. Linda got through chemotherapy and beat breast cancer for a second time. Fast forward to November of 2008 I was faced with a life altering experience. Patty came to my rescue with her mom following close behind a month later on Christmas day. I had worked my night shift on Christmas Eve at the rehab facility that shared its quarters with the homeless shelter. I slept all day on Christmas. I felt so sad and so alone I hadn't heard from any of my family. I went into Pattys home and Linda was there with a gift for me. It was a set of pots and pans and she said it was for when I got a place of my own. She didn't know I was working on finding a place to move, but that was such a special kindness she shared with me. Linda was amazing that way she always knew what each of us needed to receive, to hear and to have. Fast forward yet again to 2010. Linda had some tests run and cancer was found in her bones. She had shots, radiation and chemo and stayed positive through it all. The last time I spoke to Linda was April 23, 2012 it was the day after my grandma passed away. Linda had posted a Facebook message to me and I was calling to thank her. Linda was on her way to a scheduled appointment for lab work, but she took the time to take my call and she wasn't thinking about herself, but she wanted to know how I was and to send my family her sympathies. That is what I will remember Linda for most. She may have been battling cancer, but she wanted to know how everyone else around her was doing and she put everyone in her life and their needs before her own. I learned she was born in a small town called Independence and she left this earth a short time after midnight on Independence Day. We all knew she would go out with a glow in the sky! Linda left an amazing legacy of beautiful people behind and I know I am forever impacted by her example of strength, kindness and love through all adversities and walks of life.

Mountain biking Time

I recently learned of a girls mountain biking group called SLO Dirt Girls.

I met up with a group of 5 girls to ride Johnson Ranch Thursday morning. The city finally improved the natural water table area and has made it possible to ride without getting off to push my bike across the two wooden planks.  I had a really great time and it's more fun for me now that I'm not afraid to try to ride up and over the cattle grates.  I literally used to hate that trail. It still isn't one of my favorites, but I really did enjoy my ride and building some new friendships.

Friday I volunteered up at Ancient Peaks Winery for the All-Out Events second annual Ancient Peaks Classic bike race. I had a really great time. I ran into an acquaintance I hadn't seen in over 10 years and I saw some of the people from last years bike race in Keyesville that got me interested in mtn. biking. I was even given a jersey that I loved because it was Red Racing and had the american heart association logo on it. I was also given some padded shorts (yes all this time I've been riding without padding). I tried them out today and I have to say they are very comfortable. The best part about my jersey and shorts is they are made locally by a company by the name of Voler.

This great weather sure makes for some great riding aka post 48 hour work shift therapy!

Too Much Time at Work and Play

The entire month of May went by without a single blog post. I suppose I was incredibly busy to say the least.

The month began with me moving into a small space of my own. Its a great little place built above the garage. It has a tiny bathroom off the bedroom and a cute little kitchen nook with built in benches.The greatest part about the kitchen nook is the stove is so close to the smoke detector in my bedroom that it becomes a comedy act every time I cook. There is a small living room with windows that look out to the West. On a clear day I may have an ocean view.

I had my interview with San Luis Ambulance and I wasn't selected as one of their candidates, but I'm okay with it and I'm moving on. I was selected to begin a CNA program in the middle of June, but that too did not come to fruition. I'm just staying positive that with all these disappointments there will come something positive out of it and something better will present itself down the road. I'm still lucky to have the job I do and the clients I have appreciate all I do.

I was able to volunteer at an adventure race and fix a few skin abrasions. The most entertaining part of that was the last team was unaccounted for and when they were finally located and brought down to my check point it turned out to be one of my previous tac officers from EMT academy and his teammate was his partner he works with who is a paramedic. His response to me was, "it's great to see you using your education."

The following week I participated in a ten mile mud run complete with numerous obstacles such as pushing barrels up a hill, a jump off wood planks into a reservoir, swimming, climbing over and swimming under kayaks, jumping from dock to dock, 6 foot wall climb that to this day is my weak point, 12 foot wall climb (thank goodness for that rope), hay bail climbs, monkey bars and a hill toward the end that I thought was never going to go down. I finished it in under 4 hours which was my goal.

In between all that volunteer work and playing I lost sight of a few goals. I stopped running consistently, I stopped going to crossfit regularly and I had a number of changes in my work schedule so I had to make a number of adjustments. I'm looking forward to more improvment in June and just seeing what lies ahead for me.