To say the past month has been an interesting one is an understatement! I went from being on a total runners high at the end of my season, to this ... oops!
The beginning of November I had my final XC race of the year - the weather was beautiful (I got to wear capris and we had no snow!) and it was on a new course. It was hilly, tough and ugly; but I loved every minute of it.
But let's face it, being injured sucks.
The beginning of November I had my final XC race of the year - the weather was beautiful (I got to wear capris and we had no snow!) and it was on a new course. It was hilly, tough and ugly; but I loved every minute of it.
Then we took a trip to the mountains for the Winterstart Night Race and my husbands birthday. It's one of my favorite trips to the Rocky's because we have so much down time to ride, run and have fun! The Winterstart Night Run is one we've been doing for years; it's a 5 mile out and back route that happens, you guessed it, at night. It's pitch dark, with only glow sticks to guide you and it's a blast!
This year marked my best year yet as my Littleman joined me for the entire 5 miles! He did so good and I was practically in tears the whole time running beside him! Serious Mama pride!
The days post race were filled with wonderful family rides on our favorite trails. Including one where we got caught completely surrounded by a huge herd of elk. Following the trail, on the watch for bears I all of a sudden looked up ahead and yelled stop. Elk flanked us on all sides; it was beyond awesome!
Slowly, slowly making our way out as to not entice the daddy elk to charge we finished our trail ride on a serious high! Our other adventures? We hiked, ran and ate ... our favorite things!
The week following our mountain adventures officially started my off-season, and since we had no snow we decided to head out on a Sunday morning to ride our favorite family trail close to home. A nice easy ride, right? Then it happened.
How did it happen? Well I stopped peddling; and we all know what happens when you do that! I was out for a nice easy mountain bike trail ride going over some bridge features and for some reason decided to stop at the highest point. And guess what, I fell over! I fell over onto a straight out-stretched leg and sprained my knee. I spent a week on crutches and a brace, had x-rays and got all the ligament tests done (thankfully nothing serious!!) and for the past weeks have been rehabbing like a crazy person.
This year marked my best year yet as my Littleman joined me for the entire 5 miles! He did so good and I was practically in tears the whole time running beside him! Serious Mama pride!
The days post race were filled with wonderful family rides on our favorite trails. Including one where we got caught completely surrounded by a huge herd of elk. Following the trail, on the watch for bears I all of a sudden looked up ahead and yelled stop. Elk flanked us on all sides; it was beyond awesome!
Slowly, slowly making our way out as to not entice the daddy elk to charge we finished our trail ride on a serious high! Our other adventures? We hiked, ran and ate ... our favorite things!
The week following our mountain adventures officially started my off-season, and since we had no snow we decided to head out on a Sunday morning to ride our favorite family trail close to home. A nice easy ride, right? Then it happened.
How did it happen? Well I stopped peddling; and we all know what happens when you do that! I was out for a nice easy mountain bike trail ride going over some bridge features and for some reason decided to stop at the highest point. And guess what, I fell over! I fell over onto a straight out-stretched leg and sprained my knee. I spent a week on crutches and a brace, had x-rays and got all the ligament tests done (thankfully nothing serious!!) and for the past weeks have been rehabbing like a crazy person.
I mean it really
sucks. For me thankfully it doesn't happen very often (*knock on wood*) because it makes me a
very, very grouchy person. I'll admit it, I'm not pleasant to be around. However, if there was a good side to this lovely knee injury it's
that it happened when it did. I am very thankful it
didn't happen beginning or mid-season.
That being said, over the last weeks I have worked very hard to rehab and strengthen my knee.
I was good and didn't run (with one minor exception, where my stubborn stupid self just had to physically see if I could run - it was not a happy ending). I progressed to some "run walks" at a very slow and pedestrian pace, in a controlled environment (i.e. the treadmill - my personal hell) to see how my knee would handle it. This past week I was able to get in two successful runs (although slow), and even a cross-country ski! The knee held up good, and I enjoyed every lung sucking step and stride!
As I look to 2016 and what goals and races I'm planning for, I'm grateful for my health, my family adventures and everything else in between! I'm looking forward to crushing some races in the New Year - assuming I can keep the rubber side down!
That being said, over the last weeks I have worked very hard to rehab and strengthen my knee.
 |
| Single leg cycling - not fun. |
I was good and didn't run (with one minor exception, where my stubborn stupid self just had to physically see if I could run - it was not a happy ending). I progressed to some "run walks" at a very slow and pedestrian pace, in a controlled environment (i.e. the treadmill - my personal hell) to see how my knee would handle it. This past week I was able to get in two successful runs (although slow), and even a cross-country ski! The knee held up good, and I enjoyed every lung sucking step and stride!
 |
| Happy run face! |
As I look to 2016 and what goals and races I'm planning for, I'm grateful for my health, my family adventures and everything else in between! I'm looking forward to crushing some races in the New Year - assuming I can keep the rubber side down!
