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so the last *actual* post was just me venting and being all negative and bitchy, and I apologise for that. Sometimes people just get me down. I'm off today, however, so I only have to interact with people with whom I *want* to interact. Hooray.

Just a few quick comments about the psychology of physical therapy. I find it much easier to get my stretches and exercises done now because I know *why* I'm doing them. They are not mindless repetitions that will lead me to some arbitrary level of fitness. I know they are meant to strengthen certain muscles and (hopefully) allow me to continue doing the things that I love. I do better with my workouts when I'm "training" for an event, as well. When I have specific goals to work towards, everything makes sense and I can stay so much more focused and committed. Heaven knows I can use blinders once in a while... :D

That said, I (attempted) to go for a bike ride again this morning..again with total strangers. As it turned out, they were going on a very rocky trail that was pretty much *all* climbing--despite my original email stating quite plainly that I prefered something a little more easy going (I didn't know which trail we were riding until I met up with them, or I'd have never gotten up at 4:30am on my day off!). I bailed out early. My head was not in the game, as evidenced by the fact that I nearly wiped 20 feet into the trail on a switchback littered with softball sized loose rock...and then another 50 feet later in the creekbed strewn with what appeared to be sheets of nasty sharp limestone poking up at daunting angles. I rode about a mile before I decided that a major wreck was immenent--and besides, my knee was already starting to cry foul and we hadn't even gotten to the climbing bits yet.

I feel a little bad about bailing out, but then again the other three folk I'd gone with were so far ahead that I couldn't even have shouted out to them. On a trail I'd never been on. How's that for hospitality? To be fair, I'd mentioned the knee thing several times and told them I'd be taking it easy--that they should wait up only if there was a break in the trail so I'd know which route to take. We even discussed directions back to S's house in case I did decide to bail out. Still. I long to meet the folks that would have stayed with me despite all that--just because it's the nice thing to do. I rode with some fellas a few weeks back that have that capacity, I think, but getting together again has proven nigh on impossible, what with me having the shittiest work schedule on the planet and everything. I just have to keep trying, as Russell reminds me every time I try to bail on a ride. If I don't get out there, I definately won't meet my new friends!

so...yeah...