saying yes to my vitality

Five Covid Tests later, I’m happy to report I’m finally testing negative, but I was disappointed when I realized I wasn’t going to ride in the Bike MS City to Shore Ride this past weekend. 

One week before the ride, in the wake of realizing I was feeling achy and unwell, I tested for Covid and 15 minutes later, after surely believing it was allergies or a cold, the test results were clear– I had Covid. 

The irony is I was delaying getting my Covid Booster shot out of concern that the booster shot’s side effects of soreness and exhaustion might damper my training regime. Without a clear sense of when would be the best time, I just pushed off my booster shot, figuring after the Bike MS ride, I’d get my vaccination. 

And so after many long rides, sessions at the gym and an excitement to extend myself, I had to face the truth– I had Covid and it was time to rest. 

• I’m not one to couch potato and not leave my house for days. 

• I’m not one to sleep for 12 plus hours.

• I’m not one to eagerly await when I can take my next dose of Tylenol to ease pain. 

But I had to lean into the truth. 

• That for my vitality I needed to rest and rest more. 

• That for my vitality saying yes to pain relievers was an act of genuine care. 

But one of the biggest truths that I had to tell myself was that after a few days lying on the couch without any training, even if I was testing negative the day before the ride (which didn’t end up happening), even if I was feeling “fine” – that for my vitality I needed to back out of the ride.

Because I knew that one of the most important things to do after being hit by Covid, especially where scientific literature encourages rest as a key to recovery and avoiding physical and mental strain as much as possible while sick and in the weeks that following , was to not go on a physically demanding journey and bike 75 miles.

I knew the hard truth– that saying yes to my vitality meant not just hopping back in the saddle and pretending that everything was like a week before when I was healthy. My body and my heart were demanding I not charge through. 

For my long term vitality, I have to pace myself and accept a gradual return. 

This wasn’t the journey I thought I’d be on this past week— of embracing grace with myself for resting, but it’s been a vital one.

Perhaps its Covid, illness or disturbing news, that’s changing your plans. I hope that you give yourself the grace honor your vitality and understand that there’s great strength in accepting your limits and not pushing through them. In your own time, you’ll be back in the saddle. I know I will be too.

Wheels up, 

Ellen 

PS: While I didn’t complete the ride, I am proud to share together we raised over $720 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society! Your support can still go the extra mile today, by making a gift today.