Wabi Sabi

I heard the words Wabi Sabi the other day for the first time. Then I saw the words written just this morning, browsing through the top new childrens' books of the season. One is called Wabi Sabi. And then, today, during my glassblowing session, the words popped up again.

Wabi Sabi.

The beauty and profundity of nature, the natural transience of things. Imperfection. I like this, this wabi sabi. Wabi sabi is my theme song of the moment.

Last night and today I was with the PR director of OCNA (Ovarian Cancer National Alliance) sharing with her my story, my wishes for the ride, my highest hopes. I am spent, exhausted, AND thrilled, excited, energized, deeply moved at all that is transpiring. All that has transpired. And all that will.

Today we met with four different people no planned meetings (all the planned meetings got canceled - the universe, no doubt, watching out for us, knowing that traditional meetings would have been boring and staid. These meetings, in contrast, were filled with truth, emotion, love and honesty. These meetings contained more directness than any I might have ever been in. Faryl is young but smart and knew what she needed to know and stood up to the big boys and girls.

Faryl is my newest guardian angel.

I had set everything up. I had it all worked out. I had a plan. And then all of it fell apart. Things changed. The Executive Director, who was supposed to come, couldn't. Our big meeting, which I had been working so hard to do, shattered. Oh well, I tried to console myself, what is, is. This, this that IS, must be right. For it IS. I was not convinced.

But, in fact, what was WAS perfect. Faryl had individual meetings with four key players here and four new relationships have started and four new alliances have formed and all of them are on board with me and the ride and we WILL spread this message and it will matter. It is no longer just in my head. Others are now really a part.

And now, now, I can go sleep.

I'll be in touch.

4 months and counting

Oh my! Yesterday was the 4 month mark. Which means that four months from today I'll be riding. I'm trying REALLY hard to stay on track. Suddenly this week all of what needs to happen is creeping up on me. I have to get a grip! Judy, who has done this ride before, says I'll be fine. I've been collecting opinions on training and eating and resting and that sort of thing. Everyone has an opinion - which is good. But I need to filter them all, sort them all, decide what I am going to do, and do it.

And that IS what I'm doing.

My current training regimen is:
Ride on Monday - a long-ish ride.
Go to the gym on Tuesday for core strength work.
Have a Pilates session on Wednesday - again, core work.
Blow glass on Thursday. Not exactly aerobic, but strength building - and fun.
Nothing specific on Friday.
Saturday is a work day.
And on Sunday I go for a long ride.

I'm thinking of adding a spin class on Wednesday and maybe on Friday too. Now that the time has changed, afternoon riding is a bit tricky.

And then there is the food part. I am adjusting my thinking to include better nutrition. Got any advice? I may be about food at work, but that does not mean that I am a great nutrition expert.

In fundraising, I am about to cross the 16,000.00 mark. And this month I am going to contact some corporate sponsor prospects.

It's all good!!!