241 Days (Or How Great It Feels To Have Good News)

If you read my last blog post then you are probably aware of how disheartening of an experience I had getting my first physical exam last Tuesday.  If you carefully read the sentence that I just wrote, you'll notice that I used the word "first" to describe the experience.  I am happy to report to you, my dear reader, that my unhappiness with Dr. List's recommendation did not sour the whole week.

We have been recruiting for the 2014 team over the past month and, with applications due this past Friday, we had one last big push to get applications in last week.  I was scheduled to table in front of the gym on campus with Gilpreet, my dear friend and teammate, and she encouraged me to make an appointment at a clinic by campus.  When I realized that I had left my cell phone at home, she generously offered to let me use hers to call and schedule the physical.  After making the appointment, Gil and I walked together to the library so that I could print off the medical history form that needed the doctor's signature and was to be due October 1.  When I searched through my bag and couldn't find my printer card, Gil loaned me hers.  Not only did I leave the insignificant printer card and my cell at home, but I also left my incredibly important ID, cash, and debit cards at home as well.  Hope was not lost, though, because I had tips at The Cactus from my shift the night before.  Gil generously offered to loan me $20 to add to my tips so that I could afford the physical.  I went to the office, and was out in 15 minutes!  I know that this will probably be the last time I compare anything related to Texas 4000 to a "spa," but it really was the most pleasant experience I have ever had in a doctor's office in my life. . . even better than when I used to get lollipops for being a good patient.

I have my suspicions that training is going to kick into high gear this week (read: bikes), so let the spa times end and life begin.  Life isn't a spa, and training for the next 241 days will be a piece of cake compared to the 70 days that will follow.