I've decided that I prefer my pain self-induced. I can control the amount, the frequency, and how it's delivered.

Today I went for a quick spin to work the kinks out of my legs after a hard effort yesterday, in preparation for a pre-race ride tomorrow. A couple miles from home a bee tried to fly into my mouth. I closed my mouth in time and was rewarded by a sting on the lower lip.

I've been stung on the arm, leg, abdomen, and chesticle region, and none of them hurt like this one. Ice is fine until it wears off. And the swelling isn't Angelina Jolie-worthy, either.

I'll be glad when this is done.