Dear Blog-ary,

Have you ever felt as if life had a twisted sense of irony?  Day one of Septembers 6-Week Training Session started off a little differently than I had anticipated. My typical eagerness and enthusiasm was dampened considerably around three thirty in the afternoon when a migraine hit. Just as I was simmering a pot of lentils for a batch of my favourite carob/lentil power balls, I felt a twinge in my right temple and noticed sunny blotches in my vision, typical of an oncoming migraine. Before turning off the stove, I set down my wooden spoon and went for my emergency supply of migraine meds. I've learned the hard way, that I need to keep them close at hand. I've been a chronic migraine sufferer for years, getting my first serious headache when I was 12 years old. I've seen many different doctors and specialists over the years, visited a number of emergency rooms and used a rainbow of prescription drugs to aid me in finding reprieve from my pain. It's been a journey with many ups and downs and I could easily write an entire blog on my migraine history alone.

Determined to show this monster who's boss I then lay down, buried my head deep into a pillow and willed it to pass. I knew that if everything worked as it should, the aura I was suffering would diminish and headache hopefully averted. Perhaps it's just plain stubbornness, but despite my husbands reluctance to see me go, at 5:15 I walked out the door and headed to class.

The after effects of drugs always leave me feeling groggy and unfocused. Loreli picked up on it right away and we decided I would take things slow and easy. Power walking instead of jogging through the warm up, I would rest if my head began to scream at me. 15 minutes in, so far so good. I could feel the encouragement of my fellow trainees around me and appreciated both Trainers (Loreli and Sarah) checking in on me throughout the workout. By the time I had finished one full round of kettle bells and core workouts, I had pretty much shaken all the cobwebs out of my brain and was really enjoying myself. There is something about the sea breeze at the base of Mount Doug that feels therapeutic!

Heeding Loreli's advice to keep hydrated, I came home after stretching and refilled my water bottle, before gratefully accepting the plate of dinner that was set aside for me. I couldn't be happier with my decision to go to class tonight. If I had decided to stay at home, I probably would have slept through dinner, and woken at bedtime feeling hungry and wired. Now, I am feeling happily exhausted and looking forward to a deep and restful sleep tonight.

Despite it's rough beginning, I'd say it's been a very successful Day 1!  .  .  .  Kirsten Wolf