Just 99 miles to go

Sunday, September 20, 2009

That was a dumb idea.

Didn't have alot going on Saturday.
Watched the kid play soccer early in the a.m. Grass didn't really need cutting.
With the weather being premium, I decided to take an enjoyable ride at Cedarville.
I enjoy being out in the woods. I've missed that for the past few months, I haven't taken the time to enjoy the forest. If for some reason I couldn't ride, I'd probly turn into a hiker. I'd probly carry an axe and scare the shit out of other users, just to keep it fun. But, I'd still be out there.
Although Cedarville is more or less the joke of the MTB community, if you stop and look, it really beats other local places for scenery. It is built around low lying swamps, which makes for an interesting scenary. Wildlife and vegetation.
So I do a normal loop at a casual pace.
This give me time to think. Uh-oh. Nothing good ever comes from that.
I think about some of my buddies who are training for tri races or some of the Exterra races.
I'd love to try these, but I can't run. Arthritis in one knee.
I've heard that trail running is easier on the joints, and I can't remember the last time I tried to jog.
What better day to try?
I go back to the truck, change shoes, and lock the bike up.
I make sure I'm far enough in the woods that anyone who might be lurking at the trailhead can't see me. I start my jog (or the Tommy shuffle as its better known).
The legs are confused. They know they're used for spinning a bike or walking.
What the hell is this?
I can feel every joint below my stomach complaining.
I slow my speed down to 1mph, oh yeah, that feels better.
I could keep this up for a while.
5 minutes later my hip (just the right side) starts sending out signals for me to stop. Hip pains are totally new for me. I ignore it. It'll loosen up.
Well it didn't loosen. It got worse. I mean it hurt like a mutha.
I finally gave in and walked. Immediate relief. I gave it 5 minutes and tried to jog again.
Nope, not going to happen.
Defeated, I gave up and walked back to truck.
I WILL try it again.
I can't figure it out. I can ride a bike for 100 miles, but can't run 1/2 mile.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I'm the same way. I get shin splints 5 minuntes into it. I'd really like to try an adventure race. But the trail running don't jive with my shins.