How?

How did I get from there to here?

I grew up in a wee town outside of Ottawa called Blakeney and the closest town was four miles away and it was a wee bit bigger but still very small by GTA standards.  Everyone knew everyone in Almonte those days, our high school had 500 kids, if we were lucky, and either you were athletic or you weren't.   My perception was there was nowhere in between.  I have suffered the tribulations of flat feet all my life and sore knees as a child thus I was able to milk this and not participate in gym from grade 6.  My dogs did manage to get me out for walks when I was in my twenties.

I meet this fellow from Toronto who had a mission of going to the gym two or three nights a week.  He suggested I join the local gym, which I did, but never really went all that much.  Eventually after two and half years of long distance dating I moved to the GTA.  It was then I started going to see a trainer and now my good friend Dan.  Dan helped me loose 30 pounds, got me into shape and encouraged me to run a half marathon.  The problem is I was so focused on reaching my goal of running that 21K that I did not pay serious attention to the pain in my ankle.  Once the race was over I decided I had best see a doctor and he decided it had best be put into a cast for six weeks and then physio started.  It was never right after that and my running came to a stop.  Then my friend Dan suggested I start biking and try my hand at pushing my fitness level by biking in the charity event.  Once I got back onto a bike I fell in love with it again. 

As a kid I took my bike everywhere I even used it as a means to walk the dog.  Dad & Mom would allow me to ride it into Almonte when I was in public school. Always on the way home from school I would stop at my cousins for a cookie.  They had a huge farm (beef & dairy) and I swear their driveway was the same distance as going home but I would always pop in.  Eventually "Uncle" Bill would throw my trusty little white bike it the back of the truck and would drive me home.   My brother showed me how to loop the dog chain around the handlebars so it would steer straight.  Then I'd hook the dog up to it and he would pull me around the block - no need to walk when the dog would pull me. My dog, Brandy, was pulling me around the block still when he was 12 or 13 and I was 21 or 22.  I can not say how many miles I put on that bike my Grandparents bought me but it was lots. That little bike is now red and yes I still have it.  I think my love of cycling was just natural as my parents were avid cyclists and their summer holidays would be to cycle from one bed and breakfast to another.

The ankle is less of an issue now.  I have Elaine and Kelly to thank for this.  It was these girls who suggested that I seek out the assistance of Dr. Jason . He has many clients who are athletes and understands our craziness.  I'm currently training for the 30K Around the Bay and as of last Sunday was at 22K and no pain in my ankle.  100% the doing of Dr. Jason.

I would say it all started with a love story.  The fellow I mentioned above is now my husband and I fell in love with cycling again.