Twin2 Planning

Thanks to Carol & Perry for starting this blog! Here's my current preparation in progress:

1. Keep practicing the Bach Ciaccone to perform in recital for my students on 3/24 and with my teacher on 4/7. This is an important milestone, knowing thereafter that violin practice will have to play second fiddle to spending time and energy getting stronger as a cyclist. I started working on this in 2004, with three years off for good behavior and to develop other skills. Now I'm back in the traces, preparing for a big demonstration of heart and soul supported by technique and endurance, all in service to this glorious music of J.S. Bach.
2. Keep going to physical therapy to manage the RSI injury I got at work from using the computer mouse too much. Try not to let the elbow injury make the violin shoulder suffer any more than it already does. Keep it all in balance.
3. Keep up with my job while continuing to document how to do everything that I do, so that my tasks can be handed off to other people while I'm gone.
4. Ride my bike once in a while, when schedule allows!
5. Keep on running over glass so I get more practice changing tires, as I did last night (practice changing in the comfort of my own home.) This will all be much easier in future, using a right-sized tire (1.25) instead of the 1.5" tire my dear husband accidentally bought for me. Still, getting the rear wheel back into the drops with the fender and rack stays took both of us. I look forward to eventually being able to change a flat on my own. The sooner the better for my training rides home from work.
6. Keep relying on my teammates to tell me what to pack. So far I have been collecting sunscreen, travel sized shampoo & toiletries, and lists of what kind of panniers and etc. to buy. Will buy a super warm & lightweight sleeping bag as soon as the REI coupons come out March 22nd. Will try to find a good price on a Big Agnes pad to ensure good rest after hard days of cycling. Try not to worry about any of this until after the recitals. Trust that the right smart phone & solar charging device will become apparent through friendly advice.
7. Keep gratitude in my heart for this opportunity to have a lifetime dream come true, and let go of everything I have to renounce when I start this journey. (Hair is already getting shorter, and will be extremely short by the time I leave.)

Do we have cheerful affirmation for this ride? I'm thinking, "To infinity, and beyond!"  But once I get to Bar Harbor, I'll be ready to come home to Edmonds.

~ Margaret