Ireland had one season today and that is the one with mosquitoes, shorts and tank-tops. My windows let in a warm breeze, the sound of a tractor and the uncoordinated chorus of lambs down in the field.
"Today is the day for a bike ride. I know it!" I said to myself in the morning. After a few planks, tidying up around the house and replying to emails, I ventured to the shed to release my bike. Along the way, I scratched behind joyful Roy's ears and danced with his energetic self. Around the corner, the trusty shed decided to be stubborn with me. More elbow grease than I thought and some careful calculation was needed to open the metal container. Alas! The light shone around my bike and I took her out. Smiling past Roy, I heard horses stomping around in the upper field to my left. When I squeezed my tires to get going, I realized one was flat! Plan B: Blanket in the grass and nap while listening to the birds and distant ice cream truck.
In the midst of Plan B, my phone buzzed and encouraged me to walk instead of bike. Why hadn't I thought of that? Plan C is a better idea. And so, I packed up my blanket and grabbed a back-pack instead.
The curvy road displayed new colors at every corner. Bright orange flowers on bushes, butter yellow gorse creeping over the countryside and a sprinkle of white daisies at the feet of a dandelion army. Maybe I missed my turn up the trail because I was distracted by the view. Or maybe, it was the curious black cat that said hello, or it was simply my lack of awareness. At any rate, I walked an extra kilometer! Eventually I returned to the right track. I had too many options along the path, but I went with my gut.
At the end of my trek, I was rewarded with a hug, tea and carrot cake. Good deal? Good deal. Walks don't always have to be perfect or go as planned. There is no right way to exercise, so long as you can clear the mind and feel the work the next morning.
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