Kerri On Down The Road

 I have been spending much more time in the saddle this summer and have really enjoyed bringing cycling back into my life.  It has been such a great way to reconnect with friends, and myself, while taking in gorgeous scenery and delicious coffees and snacks.  I started to notice some discomfort on a longer ride a few weeks ago, and when that continued and seemed to be causing issues off the bike as well I decided that I should probably see someone about it.  Riding a bike is not complicated - you simply need to move those pedals around and around; what can be more complicated is the geometry that goes along with riding a bike efficiently and without pain.  I had a feeling that in the four or so years since I was first set up on my ride some things had changed.   Time for a bike fit. I find the whole process of a bike fit to be fascinating in its simplicity.  The technician who works with you utilizes the simplest of tools to measure your body's an...

 Spending more time in the saddle this past season has meant that I have also spent more time pedaling my bike uphill.  Hill climbing is one aspect of cycling that brings with it varying levels of sentiment - some feeling very strongly about the sense of accomplishment that comes with cresting a climb, while others dreading the moment that their front wheel starts to tip upwards. I will admit, I do not hate climbing hills.  I do not always enjoy climbing them, either.   What I have grown to appreciate is the commitment that hill-climbing requires.  As you see the incline looming ahead of you, part of your brain starts to decide whether this is going to be a hard and sharp experience or more of a long grind.  Next is deciding on gearing and how to approach the start of the climb - for me, this is art and science and I feel a sense of pride when I get it right, and a sense of "maybe next time" when I get it wrong.   As the incline begins, it is...

I have a confession to make, I am not someone who enjoys clothes shopping.  I do not delight in visiting store, browsing the racks of clothing and then trying on outfits.  I can remember the last time I did do this, it was 2020 just months before COVID struck and I needed to buy clothes for a new role I was starting.  I went to one store and decided to make a go of it.  I started to pick out just one or two things and then someone approached me to ask if I wanted them to put things in a change room for me to try on.  I hadn't considered that I could just load up a bunch of things at once and then go through the whole trying on phase of the experience in one fell swoop.  So I did just that - I picked out armloads of things and shrugged and made my way to see if there was anything in the collection I had created that might suit me.   I share this experience because I am realizing more and more how much this practice of trying things on for size also...

 I find it interesting how simple phrases can mean so many different things.  For example, the phrase "go with the flow"; in my mind this felt like being told to go along with things, to stop being difficult, to give in and stop questioning what was going on.  As time has passed, I find myself interpreting this in a much different way. This change in view became evident on my run the other morning.  I was going along a stretch that I often cover and was running at a pace that was a bit faster than my usual pace.  Although I was moving well, there was an underlying sense of constriction or struggle.  It wasn't like I was in an all-out sprint or anything of that nature, and yet I still felt awkward in my movements.  The word "flow" flashed in my mind, and I started to feel a greater sense of ease come into the picture and could feel the awkwardness dissipate.  I was going with the flow.  As I continued along I kept repeating "flow" and felt how...

 Earlier this summer I underwent a surgical procedure to remove some scar tissue from the cornea of my right eye.  I had been experiencing blurred vision for some time (read - several years) and had been putting off doing anything about it.  Finally I deiced that enough was enough and booked the procedure.  It is funny how nonchalant I was in the weeks leading up to the surgery, dismissing the whole thing as being not a very big deal and gratefully declining any offers of help or support.  I wonder if this was my way of trying to make myself feel less stressed - simply downplay it and convince myself that it was not worth getting too fussed about.  Surgery day came and I was actually glad - it would be great to have this taken care of and potentially have my vision returned to where it had been before this became an issue.  The procedure was a success; I was given a regimen of drops and guidelines for aftercare and a fancy pair of super dark sunglasses...

 The other morning as I was out for a run, a man rode past on his bicycle wearing Bermuda shorts, a spring jacket and a huge smile.  He gave me a big hello and wished me a wonderful day.  I returned the greeting and the rest of my way home was running with a big smile on my face.  It is not the first time that our paths have crossed and both times had the same effect - a lightness in my steps and a real feeling of happiness.  As I reached my home and came inside I was struck by just how much of an impact that short interaction had on me.  It then made me think about the ripple effect that we each have in the world and how important it is to acknowledge and to be aware of our impact on others and the world as a whole. Just like dropping a pebble into a bucket of water, each interaction we have creates ripples that spread from us outwards.  These can carry positive or negative energy and vibrations and carry much father away from us than we may realize....

As you read this, I will have just completed my very first university course!  When I graduated high school I was terribly intimidated at the thought of going to university - the large class sizes, the less personal experience (versus high school), and honestly the idea of not being able to handle it all.  So I took some time off to figure out what direction I wanted to go in and then went to college for ECE.  I really enjoyed the course and felt like it was the right decision for me at that time, despite the fact that I knew I would never work in the field.  The decision to not attend university was one that felt right at the time, but came back to haunt me years later.  I noticed as I moved through my career that I started to wonder if I had made the right decision after all.  Perhaps I should have pushed past the feelings of concern and went "for the life experience" as so many had advised.  Instead I carried around a sense of regret and a feeling o...