25 August, 2009
what a year
so many events - moved out on my own, got divorced, broke a couple bones and now may have additional hurdle or two. The sun keeps coming up, so will I.
18 August, 2009
A few things have happened
and I'm still not quite feeling the urge to write like before.
Master's Natz was one hell of an experience. I'm thinking I'll get out and do a crit or two next year if I can get my stamina and speed where it needs to be. I didn't ride much at the end of MN as I was working the crits. I had the month of July to pinpoint my focus and training for Natl Senior Games.
I was riding the Wed Fruit ride in the middle of July, which was hard and fast and has a tough hill or two. Then I learned of a training ride to JMF. They said it would be a "no drop" ride. Hadn't been out there since early April and that was only the second time ever. July 18 was a very cool morning, but the ride was fun with mostly familiar faces. We rode to Iroquois and took the first good hill in a neighborhood on the other side of the park. I am last up the hill, but this was the reason I went on the ride. Only way to get better on hills is to ride them. We head on out to the forest and the next hill is a tough one for me. I get to the top and only one of the others is there waiting. I was so happy to see him. He told me to be careful as we crested the hill. I didn't pay close enough attention. Wound up going way too fast, couldn't slow down. My rear wheel jumped to the left and I corrected. All was fine, but still going to fast. Then the rear wheel jumped to the right, my handle bars turned to the left and I went down on my right shoulder. Cracked my helmet in 5 places, broke my clavicle and scapula. The guys were great and called EMS.
It took 3 days to find an orthopedic surgeon and another 6 for surgery to be scheduled. I won't go into the next weeks of misery here. Suffice it to say that it has been difficult at best. My daughters have been wonderful and so many friends showed their love and compassion. I was overwhelmed. I am finally close to getting back on the bike and on the road. It will be 7 weeks since I've ridden on the road, only trainer.
I've learned a few things about myself. Several aren't very becoming and I'm not proud of my lack of patience. I've driven away a special person due to my self ego and pent-up craziness. That is the toughest thing. Attempts at "fixing" it has just made it worse. So I will stop.
The rest of this year is going to be self improvement (I hope!). Maybe it's just gaining a deeper understanding of who I am and why I do things I do.
My doc has said I can start to run, and even swim as long as it's not freestyle or any over head repetitive motion. I've sined up for a half marathon in November. This will be the first time I've taken a vacation alone. It's a scary thing to think about. There are moments that I think I am so foolish for trying to do some of this stuff at my age. But then all I have is time and doing these things is helping me grow my world of experiences and friendships.
Oh what an adventure this year has been and it's only September. :-)
Master's Natz was one hell of an experience. I'm thinking I'll get out and do a crit or two next year if I can get my stamina and speed where it needs to be. I didn't ride much at the end of MN as I was working the crits. I had the month of July to pinpoint my focus and training for Natl Senior Games.
I was riding the Wed Fruit ride in the middle of July, which was hard and fast and has a tough hill or two. Then I learned of a training ride to JMF. They said it would be a "no drop" ride. Hadn't been out there since early April and that was only the second time ever. July 18 was a very cool morning, but the ride was fun with mostly familiar faces. We rode to Iroquois and took the first good hill in a neighborhood on the other side of the park. I am last up the hill, but this was the reason I went on the ride. Only way to get better on hills is to ride them. We head on out to the forest and the next hill is a tough one for me. I get to the top and only one of the others is there waiting. I was so happy to see him. He told me to be careful as we crested the hill. I didn't pay close enough attention. Wound up going way too fast, couldn't slow down. My rear wheel jumped to the left and I corrected. All was fine, but still going to fast. Then the rear wheel jumped to the right, my handle bars turned to the left and I went down on my right shoulder. Cracked my helmet in 5 places, broke my clavicle and scapula. The guys were great and called EMS.
It took 3 days to find an orthopedic surgeon and another 6 for surgery to be scheduled. I won't go into the next weeks of misery here. Suffice it to say that it has been difficult at best. My daughters have been wonderful and so many friends showed their love and compassion. I was overwhelmed. I am finally close to getting back on the bike and on the road. It will be 7 weeks since I've ridden on the road, only trainer.
I've learned a few things about myself. Several aren't very becoming and I'm not proud of my lack of patience. I've driven away a special person due to my self ego and pent-up craziness. That is the toughest thing. Attempts at "fixing" it has just made it worse. So I will stop.
The rest of this year is going to be self improvement (I hope!). Maybe it's just gaining a deeper understanding of who I am and why I do things I do.
My doc has said I can start to run, and even swim as long as it's not freestyle or any over head repetitive motion. I've sined up for a half marathon in November. This will be the first time I've taken a vacation alone. It's a scary thing to think about. There are moments that I think I am so foolish for trying to do some of this stuff at my age. But then all I have is time and doing these things is helping me grow my world of experiences and friendships.
Oh what an adventure this year has been and it's only September. :-)
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