You guys are awesome! Thanks so much for the emails, Tweets, Facebook comments and messages – it really does make a huge difference to my emotional and physical well-being. This past week has been a trying one.

The good news is that this flare is so far very mild. This is the tricky aspect to it all. I feel pretty good (apart from wicked stomach pains) and the typical symptoms. My energy levels are still excellent. And really this flare is not “impacting” me that much. This is why it’s hard. My body and brain want to get out and ride, run and do all I can – but I need to be careful – dial back the intensity and just ride and run for the joy of movement.

If I’m careful, maybe, just maybe this flare won’t take over like has happened so many times before.

I’ve switched up my diet to be very simple – smoothies for breakfast and lunch, fresh-made juice thanks to my super juicer, steamed vegetables for supper – hopefully this will help and keep things from getting out of control.

Along with this I am still riding my bike. I’m riding to work (only working three days a week now). I’m getting out on my mountain bike for some fun in nature. I started doing some gentle running again (calf muscles are very angry). I know some of you will think I’m crazy and that I should stay home and “rest” – but really this is not the solution. I feel good and I need to move my body. Sitting at home and doing nothing will only make me depressed and this will definitely not help me get out of this flare. I’m not doing anything crazy or anything that will put me at risk – I’m riding but no intervals, I’m mountain biking but not racing, I’m running but very gently. I’m also going to add in a home yoga practice – I was going to a great morning power yoga class with Eryn and I thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from it – but early morning yoga or any yoga class is not really “flare friendly”…

I’m optimistic that this won’t get nasty and that the summer will still be a good one. I sincerely hope you’re having a good weekend and are smiling and having fun. Enjoy and follow your passion because this is what it’s really all about.