First Clinical Rotation

Today was the start of my first clinical rotation. I will be going out to Valley Physical Therapy every Wednesday for the next 4 weeks, although I am excited to finally be out in the clinic I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed to be going to not one but two out patient clinics. See I have been working in a out patient clinic for the past 4 years and on and off for the past 9 years. I was really hoping to get some more experience in other settings. But to my surprise today was GREAT! Now that I think about it, it may be that going somewhere I am comfortable for my first rotation is probably a blessing. I was able to jump right in today and not be the least bit afraid. The funny thing is the clinic I was assigned to is a place I have worked in the past. Although the therapist is different from when I was there (it was 7 years ago) everything else is still the same. My clinical instructor was great, allowing me to do many things I didn't think he would let me do on the first day. I was able to do massage, (which since I am a massage therapist I would hope they would feel comfortable with allowing me to do) joint mobilizations, along with some other modalities that I do on a regular basis. It was good to do some of these things since we have a check list of items we need to do before the rotation is over.

I am so excited to finally be at the point in my education that I am out in the clinics and getting my hands on real patients. Working on each other in the classroom is fine but for me to really learn it I need to feel it for real. The next few weeks are going to be exciting and probably at times a bit scary but I am really looking forward to learning as much as possible.

Finding Center

Finding center, a hard thing to do when life gets busy and out of control. Things haven't really been all that stressful in my life as of late but when they are I know I can always get on my bike and suddenly things get a whole lot better. The last few weeks have been spent more in bed coughing, puking or sleeping then on the bike and that has caused a bit of stress. The first two races of the cyclocross season were this past weekend and like I said before I spent maybe two or three hours on the bike over the past two weeks, so I was not looking forward to them. I was able to limp my way through the first race, I was feeling better but hard efforts were just not in the cards. I pushed as much as I could, the legs just didn't want to react the way they usually do. Like I said though, I got through it and not a whole lot worse off. Sundays race was much better, although I was a bit unsure of that after Saturday. I was pleasantly surprised when I started the race my legs had somehow come around. My lungs had even decided to show up to the race, LOL. The course suited my style of riding and things worked out pretty much the way I wanted. I came in second, which was good, not a win but much better than I had expected.

I have stayed off the bike since Sunday due to more coughing and sneezing etc. I got back on today and as I sat here tonight I realized just how much riding my bike does me good and helps me to stay calm, find my center. There is really no other time like when I am out on my bike, I am able to get out there, think about nothing or everything, whatever suits me. When I get done I feel better physically and mentally. I realize again how thankful I am to be able to ride my bike and enjoy it so much and have great friends because of it. I only hope there is never a day where riding my bike doesn't do all of these things for me.

Cyclocross Season Is Here

This weekend marks the first two cyclocross races of the short but fun season. Normally that would mean I would be very excited and yet a bit nervous. (Gotta love those pre-race nerves) This time however, I am really just nervous. See, I have been sick for a good portion of the last two weeks and now as the day creeps closer and closer I am yet to be at 100%. This week brought a nasty head cold that I just can't seem to shake. It started Sunday and has gotten progressively worse over the week. Today (Wednesday) was the first day I got on the bike since the weekend, the week before I got almost zero time in due to food poisoning. I was a bit afraid of getting on the bike today but in all truthfulness, I think I would have gone mad had I not got on the bike today. I told myself if I just went out really easy and listened to my body I would be fine. I told myself if you don't feel good in the first 15-20 minutes then just turn around, its not worth it. The first 15 minutes were a bit disheartening, sore throat and a bit of coughing. I thought, hmmm, 5 more minutes. I felt better by the 20 minute mark and kept going, easy. I was out for about 45 minutes and felt pretty good. I didn't do anything hard though in fear of making life miserable.

As I sit here tonight I feel pretty good, no worse than earlier so that has to be a good sign. I talked with my coach and told her of my doings, a bit hesitantly:) and she didn't seem to object so.... Normally this minor sickness would not be something I would blog about, or even really worry about, I would just not race this weekend and try again next weekend. This year though I really want to do well at cyclocross. It will be my second year and I would really like to win my category. Last year I won a race and came in second in the total rookie category. This year I will bump up to the 'women B' category and would like to win races as well as the season. So I feel like missing two races this weekend wouldn't really put me in a position to do that. Guess all I can do is go out and see how Saturday goes and then decide on what to do Sunday. Until then its drink as much water as possible and take those vitamins and keep my fingers crossed.

Misc. Pictures

Just a few pictures from my recent ride out at Farragut State Park

Hey, hold on a second, this isn't my bike.
Think I will be turning around NOW.

With the weather quickly changing to more fall like conditions, it is raining as I type this, I thought I would put up a few pictures of one of the last really nice days we had. I spent this past weekend on my bike as much as possible knowing that the sun would be leaving us soon. All of these were taken out at Farragut State Park. My mom and her friend were going out to ride their horses so I loaded up my bike and went along.

School is back in full swing and I have my first tests starting tomorrow. I can see the mileage I put on my bike slipping out of my fingers. I should be spending this time right now to study, but oh well, I will get to that in a few minutes.