I’m just posting something quick this week, because I’m already running late today & it’s already Tuesday – since yesterday marked the end of the long Labor Day weekend.

We had a full weekend: 100-mile ride on Saturday, which I followed with a 20-minute run. on Sunday, we drove out to Assateague Island and looked at a camp trailer that we might end up ordering (it’s hard to get them second-hand). We also had the dogs with us, so we let them play on the beach. It was hot that day! On Monday, we each put in solid two-hour or so workouts. Mine consisted of a 1500-yard swim, followed by a one hour, forty minute run. I also participated in a “protest” of sorts. A bunch of us held up signs on a street corner to spread the word about giving cyclists three feet of clearance; it’s the law in Maryland, but most people don’t know it. It was in honor of the woman (Trish) who got hit and killed on her bike almost two weeks ago, as well as another man who was killed earlier this summer. We need to keep working together with motorists to understand each other and share the responsibilities of the road.

That event, and the news on Monday that my husband’s cousin was hit by two deer while riding his motorcycle –putting him in the hospital with serious injuries– is what has me thinking of faith today. I don’t talk about it much, but I do believe in God & I pray all the time. I always try to realize that you can’t take anything for granted. And when things like this happen, it’s so hard not to scream “Why???” and feel such desperation. As Craig and I embraced and kissed each other goodnight last night, it was hard not to think of those who suddenly could not do that with their loved ones last night. How tragic and haunting. All we can do is have faith and try to believe that it is all part if God’s plan. Somehow tied to this in my mind was also Diana Nyad’s triumphant swim from Havana to Key West this weekend. I think that was part of God’s plan also. After trying to do it four other times and meeting such great obstacles, her experience and Mother Nature conspired (with God, I’m sure) to make it an incredible success this time. It was grit and determination for sure, but I have to think that faith was in there somewhere as well. She proved something to all of us and shared great wisdom about following your dream.