Brian’s fitness journal after a brain stroke
Some mornings hand you a packed agenda and dare you to keep smiling. Today was one of those mornings, and I’m pleased to report I made it through with my teeth cleaned, my legs exercised, and a box of cupcakes in hand. Let’s call it a win.
I walked to the dentist, as I almost always do. One of the quiet joys of living in Nashville is having my doctor and dentist both within easy walking distance. There’s something deeply satisfying about a medical appointment you can stroll to. Because it feels virtuous even before anyone pokes around in your mouth.
I left a little early to pad the schedule, which turned out to be wise (or lucky — hard to say). There was a scheduling hiccup on their end, and I ended up waiting an extra fifteen minutes. To their credit, the office made it right with a Starbucks gift card. Unexpected, appreciated, and honestly a little charming.
Then came the cupcakes. Every time I visit the doctor or dentist, I treat myself to cupcakes from my favorite spot on the way home. It’s my personal reward system, and I stand by it completely. My wife, as always, graciously declined when I offered to bring her some. She keeps a watchful eye on her sugar intake because her grandmother and aunt both dealt with diabetes. So she’d rather not tempt fate. I admire the discipline, but I also admire the cupcakes.
On the walk back, I noticed the crosswalks were being worked on, which made sense, since we’d discovered they were missing entirely when we strolled to the growler refill store on my birthday. Nashville is apparently catching up on its pedestrian infrastructure, one intersection at a time.
A quick but important scheduling note: now that the Nashville heat is properly arriving, I’ve shifted to my summer running schedule. That means lacing up first thing in the morning rather than waiting for later in the day, because waiting means melting, and nobody wants that. So far, the new routine is clicking right along.
There’s always a moment when I see a full day ahead of me and feel that familiar flutter of mild anxiety. But today, I ticked off the run, the appointment, the cupcakes, and the walk home without incident. Tomorrow brings two more appointments, though thankfully no lawn mowing and no required miles. A full dance card, but not an overstuffed one.
I’ll take it.
— Until next time, may your waiting rooms be brief and your cupcakes be plentiful.