Those who can, do, those who can’t…practice?

Cold mornings make it difficult to get out of bed, especially if you are getting out of bed to go swim. I dragged myself out of bed at 4:30 a.m. It was one of the coldest mornings we’ve had this year. I put on a swimsuit, bundled up with sweats, packed my work clothes/gear and headed to L.A. Fitness to get in a good 30-minute swim. After checking in and putting away my work/shower stuff in the dressing room, I notice the sign. “Pool heater is broken. Water is cold.” It’s on the door of the dressing room and on the door of the swimming area. Can I do this? Can I make myself get into a cold pool and attempt to swim laps? Or, should I just go to Starbucks and get my coffee now? I’m tempted. However, I notice that someone is already in the pool. Usually I’m there alone at 5 a.m., but, today, I watch as another swimmer brilliantly laps a lane. He’s too busy to notice my pathetic attempts, which is a good thing. I will say, however, that I swam from one end to the other today without having to stop a few feet short. Another swimmer joins us and the three of us silently work out in water. I tell the third swimmer later that she swam well. She liked hearing it. Maybe, someday, way off in the future, someone will say the same to me.

My morning became even more special at Starbucks after the swim. Upon driving through to get my drink, I’m told that the car ahead of me has paid for my muffin and coffee. This is not the first time it has happened to me. It made my day a good one and it wasn’t even 7 a.m. yet. Pay it forward? I definitely need to do so! After all, those of us who can, like me, should.

You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.

Okay, so a surfer didn't really say this. It was the American Buddhist teacher Jack Kornfield. I found the quote while "surfing" the Internet for surf quotes and liked the way it sounded. In my quest to be a surfer, I definitely need to understand the waves not just in the ocean, but also in life. Little things can definitely put a crimp in my plans, but I'm ultimately responsible for how I let them affect me. 

I continued my training today with a lunchtime workout session on the new stationary bike at the Fitness Zone.  The stationary bike's attached screen allowed me to cycle with others on a paved path along a beach. The FZ bike doesn't offer the same configuration as a real road bike or spin bike, but it does allow gear changes as well as a computerized program that provides a speed and heart rate. I worked through two of the programs, which gave me about 35-40 minutes of a good workout on the bike. I definitely felt it in my legs. I had a rather crazy afternoon, but the lunchtime activity prepped me for it perfectly. Tomorrow should be a much calmer day at work, and I'll definitely get a good workout at my spin class after work, but, ultimately, the outcome of my day is up to me. 

That which does not kill us makes us stronger.

Nietzsche said it first, but I was thinking it Saturday morning as I left Bike Barn for my weekly Saturday ride. Although it was warm at the start, weather reports indicated that by mid-morning cold wind out of the north would push through. Fortunately I packed arm warmers and wore a vest; though getting caught in a north wind and, possibly, rain, didn't sound like fun to me. My cycling club quickly decided that we should ride to the San Jacinto Monument since, in this rare instance with the wind out of the south at the start and shifting mid-morning, we should have wind at our backs in both directions. Once at the monument, I thought I would turn around  so I wouldn't have to take the Lynchburg Ferry and then cross the Baytown Bridge to get back. Long story short, I didn't want to turn around alone. Peer pressure took me to Baytown and back.  It rained twice, but none of us melted. A great ride! A great day!

Cycling will remain not only a passion, but a great way to get in shape for my upcoming surfing adventure. After all, isn't balancing on two wheels, crossing high bridges and weaving in and out of cars on busy roads as close to surfing as I can get right now?