Kerri On Down The Road

One of the parts of cycling I enjoy the most is the time that it provides to reconnect with friends.  Until recently group rides were not an option, so it has been quite a treat to be able to start having rides in small groups again.  My return to cycling this year has been interesting, as it has reminded me how much I enjoy riding but has also at times started me down the path of getting caught up in the numbers - how far, how fast - and then comparing to where I once was. I was starting to notice the tell-tale signs of burnout cropping up...the lack of desire to participate, not feeling up to doing longer rides, and even considering putting it off to do other things instead.  I was a bit concerned as I had taken all of last season "off" and despite a happy return to riding this year, was already starting to feel like I was ready to hang up my gear again. On a ride a few weeks ago, I was talking with my girlfriend about these conflicting feelings and trying to figure...

Believe it or not, this post marks my 52nd one in a row!!!  Yes - as of today I have been writing a weekly entry for an entire year now.  I remember my decision to start this blog.  The mixed feelings of excitement, nerves and fear.  The worry that what I had to say would not resonate or be important enough for anyone to bother reading what I was posting.  Wondering why I thought that I actually had anything interesting to say anyways, and who did I really think I was to start a blog.  (Oh hello imposter syndrome, so nice of you to stop by - NOT!)  For so many reasons I am glad that I decided to push PUBLISH on that first entry and also decided to stick with it ever since.  Just having a place to put these thoughts, and to share what I hope are relatable feelings is comforting for me.  And I truly hope that something I post might help to provide comfort for someone who is facing a similar tough spot or bump in the road.  At the start ...

Have you ever noticed how a message for one situation can apply to so many others in your life?  I was reminded of this a few days ago as I turned on my tablet to do some reading.  The message that flashed on the screen said "Battery is Dangerously Low" and something about needing to plug my device in STAT if I was going to use it at all.  I found the message interesting as not only did I want to do some reading, so scrambled to find the charging cord, but it also struck a different chord.    My internal battery was also starting to feel dangerously low and yet I didn't feel like I'd taken any similar precautions or measures to replenish it.  I may not have had such a dramatic message flash at me in the bathroom mirror but I could feel the energy draining, slowly and steadily.  A sense of overwhelm at all that is going on in our world, on top of managing a household and work responsibilities while trying to ensure that I am also staying active and heal...

Over the past three months I have become an avid walker.  Most days I'm able to find time to fit in at least an hour or more and during that time I listen to podcasts, audio books, music or just the sounds of the city.  My walking routes are not terribly imaginative and usually default to streets around my apartment and often down to the Beach.  I find this time to be soothing as it allows me to put a clear end to my day and to reflect on ideas or sometimes just zone out for a bit.  One thing that I've noticed this spring is how incredible the lilacs are.  They seem to be everywhere and the fragrance is gorgeous.  I have actually found myself on more than one occasion stopping to stuff my face into these blooms in an attempt to breathe in as much of their beauty as possible.  I bought a candle at a local shop that promises to fill my apartment with the scent and was contemplating taking a cutting from a bush that I spied at a local park in an attempt t...

Picture yourself standing at the top of a hill or mountain.  It's a crisp winter day, sunny and peaceful.  You have skis strapped on  your feet and are looking over the edge to the valley below.  This is something that you have wanted to do, you remind yourself as the butterflies start to fill your stomach.  It goes against all of your instincts, and yet you know that in order to move forward you are going to need to lean forward on those skis, into the void and let gravity take over to bring you down the hill.  You take a deep breath, and go for it.  The exhilaration and sense of freedom are overwhelming and by the time that you get to the bottom, you forget why you were so nervous in the first place.  Anyone who has downhill skied has likely had a similar experience.  For the first few runs you think you are leaning forward, but your sore shins are a give away that you are sitting back on your heels.  In reality you are leaning in a ...