It is time for me to come back to the land of the living. It is now November 2011. A rare day, actually, it is a palindrome, 11-02-2011. That date in itself should be enough reason to come back to life.
In order to clear the air, we can address a couple of facts and fictions.
The Pan Am Games have come and gone, and albeit it was a dissapointing end of the season, you can only move onward. Or once again, so I am told.
Fact: I did have a mishap before the TT at the PAG and ended up with a concussion. Concussions should not be taken lightly. No amount of road rash can equal the damage that can be done to the brain. A storm grate on a dark morning in Mexico and an impressive face plant may have left me with a couple of weeks of letting that brain rest and regenerate. Black eye? Sure. Broken heart? Absolutely. Resolve? I will have to find it.
Positive: I can learn from my preparation and experience, and I did not lose any teeth in the fall.
Fiction: After this I decided to stay in Mexico and live off of street tacos and rice pudding.
Fact: My sister did point out that my bruised face and body did resemble the fall colors of deep purples and reds. What are sisters for.
Positive: I think she hit that one on the head, pardon the pun.
Fiction: I intended to make my face look like the season.
Fact: I have so many people to thank for an incredible, challenging year, and I am bery humbled and looking to keep my priorites right, and my goals focused.
Positive: I am very blessed.
Fiction: I am going to give up.
Entering November. Time to reevaluate. Renew. Reset.
I continue to be humbled by the support, by the patience, and the sacrifice. Thank you for joining the mission.
Hey Alison,
My spectacular face plant did leave a few teeth behind. Try doing that in front of a crowded Denny’s in Santa Cruz. I had at least 14 instant MD’s telling me what to do. In the long run, I became a stronger, smarter, more attentive (storm grate, too) rider. I look for more things in front of me and don’t trust riders working in front of me to point out problems. What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. Hope to see you on the roads around Marin County. Mike
Yes yes…that’s what I hear…but even if the crash is spectacular, it is never ideal, right!? Did you at least get a Grand Slam breakfast after your crash?
I lost too many teeth to chew anything for a few days…
Don’t forget…you are one in a million!
Thank you!