Standing at the Trailhead of Winter

I'm learning some days there will be less pain in my leg and other days there will be more pain in my leg. It's kind of like a crap shoot. Although, I am realizing the nights I don't sleep well do have a negative effect on me the following day. Last night I didn't sleep, and today I feel like I'm right back in the first weeks of this herniated disc. It sucks. I've tried not to go down the rabbit holes about herniated discs, but it's hard. I want to know as much as possible about what it is and what can help to heal it. Unfortunately, there's not much that can be done to help it heal other than time, and from what I'm finding, time sometimes doesn't make any difference, which is scary to think about. There are moments I'm scared that this is my new normal for the rest of my life. I truly hope it's not. I am able to get out and mow the lawn. It takes me two or three days to do the whole yard, but I'm okay with that. It's not like I ...

Wednesday I received the all-clear from the doc to return to whatever activities I wish. He seemed pleased with my healing and said to check in in three weeks, so I bounced out of his office, happy, happy, happy. My mind since then has turned to getting back on the bike, but I have three more weeks of school, family obligations sometimes come first (actually all the time come first), and the weather is up and down, making getting on the bike a bit difficult. I was able to ride to work Friday, and it was just so pleasant. As I passed the crossing guard at the elementary school, as the kids were arriving for the day, he checked his watch and called, "I'm timing you!" I replied that my speed was a constant slow. He laughed and waved. On my return later that afternoon, he called, "There she is! I'm still timing you!" I was still just meandering along, in no hurry. Yesterday, I had hoped to get out for a 10 miler, but the trip to Chicago for a birthday lunch ...