Day 17 – What a difference a day makes
Each day, I’ve made it a point to recap what happened, both the highs and the lows. The challenges I faced weren’t complaints; they were simply part of the day’s journey. I feel it’s important to share both sides because those challenges are life lessons—lessons that can be applied to recovery, to overcoming obstacles, and to finding resilience in the face of adversity. So, I tell the full story, the good and the not-so-good.But I want to preface today’s post with this: today was the smoothest day yet on this adventure!
It all started with breakfast with my oldest son, Ben. We shared a meal, and then I packed up the bike, ready to hit the trail. Of course, Ben is carrying about three-quarters of the gear in his car, which means I’ve got just the essentials with me for the day. That makes a big difference—light and ready to ride. And I could tell the weight difference every time I went over a bridge with an incline.
I started the day on the trail and a side road for the first 14 miles. And let me tell you, it was outstanding. The rhythm, the flow, everything just felt right. After those first miles, I hopped onto the bike lane on the road, and it was super fantastic. By lunchtime, I had already knocked out 18 miles! Wow!
After lunch, I hit the road again, and the fantastic bike lanes and trails continued for the rest of my 32.4-mile ride. And the cars and trucks were great in giving a buffer between us. Y’all—(yep, there’s the Southern in me coming out when I get excited)—it was such a good day on the trail! Now, I’ll admit, it’s tough to snap pictures when you’re crossing bridges and pedaling, but I managed to get a couple, which I’ll post later.
Beyond the ride, I also had some meaningful conversations with folks about traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Spreading awareness and hope is such a big part of what this adventure is all about. And today? It was a great day.
Now, as always, I like to relate these experiences back to TBI recovery, because that’s the heart of this journey. Look, I’m not a doctor, and I’m not walking in anyone else’s shoes. I’m not here to give medical advice or tell anyone how to recover or move forward in life. But what I can do is share what has helped in my own recovery.
So, how does today’s ride tie into recovery? Well, everything went smoothly today, and I count that as another win. Every day has been a win, really. The key is that I’ve been able to keep moving forward. Sure, not always smoothly, but forward is forward. Progress is progress.
Sometimes, you can actually see that progress, and when you do, celebrate it. Don’t let negativity creep in and tell you it was too easy or that a bad day is just around the corner. Beat back those doubts and be proud of your accomplishments. And here’s the thing: sometimes, you’ll have a great day—one that’s just plain good. And you know what? You’re the one who makes it that way.
