Two weeks after I busted my elbow (riding single trails in black diamond with Hart) I finally am back for training. My doctor said “8 weeks until you can bike again.” What's six more weeks? As D was putting bikes on, I came downstairs, I wrapped my arm in several towels, bandage, tape and an arm warmer on top.He was like "what the hell is that?" I was like "elbow padding?" He found no amusement NOR –damn this is girl is tough…Instead he made me stop at big five and buy real elbow pads. so I bought a soft volley ball elbow pad and then hard skateboard elbows pads that I put on top. This was all in case I fell, and I did have a plan B - if I fell to use my head to break the fall. We rode iron horse trail. Total 16 miles and it was an hour and forty five minute ride. I thought D would have some words to keep me from biking but all he said was "Don't go slow." I had an easier time clipping in out then before. I’m so clickity clickity. On this ride I wasn't being dangerous or reckless... My arm feels great except a few movements are hard to do.
Side Note -I no longer feel bad about the break. There was NOTHING one could do. It wasn't even like I didn't know how to click out, I didn't even know I was falling. What I do know is I can't balance a bike at zero miles per hours.
Back to the ride -Up hill (it was only a 2.5 percent incline) we were averaging 8 or 9 miles an hour. Down, I used the hardest gears and we never coasted, so it was a good work out. Downhill 16-19 miles an hour... No fear for a girl that has *BE (and I’m not sure that is fast)
*Broken Elbow. –ha!
It rocked. I'm back (well I was only out for two weeks, can I hardly ever say I was gone? Or have I ever really been in?)
I have The Beast race 4 with D and RVG. I have 24 hour bike in Moab (same place where RVG almost died from heat stroke at the Primal Quest). They took my cast off now (did you know that?) I have this unrealistic expectation (or WANT) to do things.
Today Aug 9th -I left out lots of training since last entry (two).
I Rode with D 24 miles. Hard gears. Legs were wobbly wobbly wobbly. D likes to grind the quads. I am missing quads.
August 12th. Ran the 13 mile Cougar MT Series. Steep tough climbs! At the nine mile aid and food station I seriously stopped 10-15 minutes. There was so much food. I think their goal was to grab it and go. I couldn’t stop eating. I felt like it was the end of the race.. . I am pissed (where was RVG my TA ANGEL). Immediately after the station I fell on my arm, mile 9 – it didn’t help I still had food in both hands and my gut was full and my body was zombie-like from the food intake. My knee was in so much pain the last four miles. I dragged my leg and arm out of the trails like a character from a Tennessee Williams play. When I would scrape too much dirt I would lift my leg and start a fresh.
The uphill climbs were gnarly (as well as my time 3:37 minutes). Down hill was like cliffs and my knee hated me. When I finished I had a tall bud-lite and waited for my friend Joanna. They almost took out search and rescue team for her but instead sent out five sweepers. All the finishing stuff was gone and I made a make shift finish line with long pink ribbon to run across. Easily breakable -the same material the police tape ribbon/tape is made "DO NOT CROSS POLICE" And we all know how easy that is to break… She was so weak (after a 6 hour time) that the ribbon tape was stretching to this triangle shape not break and I already double checked for any give. I'm like, "use oomph. Strength! Run. It’s your finish line". She looked like she could use the thin tape as a hammock. Oomph was not much option.I yelled again much louder, "you finished! Use Strength" and she plunged through. I had water, bagels, hat, socks all given to previous timed finishers that I asked for before the sponsors packed it up.
Today August 12th
I went for a bike ride with D for 8 miles at Tolt McDonald. Despite what seemed like small distance (8 Miles) it was tough. The climb was brutal. I fell again… what the hek? This time I rolled like a beetle bug on to my back. It was a great tuck and roll –I must say, but my bike stayed on its side and didn't go on top of me pinning my leg. I whimpered loudly. Louder! Finally Dan came to get me out. Damn I'm sore. Mentally I feel GREAT.
I am at 3 percent where I want to be. By end September I promise to be at a solid 10. It’s going to keep on rising. I will be unstoppable!
2 comments:
Nicely done. Is that bruise a result of your 'beetle roll'?
I feel bad for your friend. I've always wondered if it's tougher to run a three hour marathon or an eight hour marathon.
no. all from first fall. my beetle roll was nothing injured except it hurt when my leg was caught.
have you seen litle miss sunshine? it was so fun and painful. i loved it. TOP FIVE!
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