Time Has Come Today

4 months since "Hip Day".  It both seems like a long time and a short time.  It sure wasn't a good time. But it hasn't all been bad.  An injury like this certainly forces you to focus on the immediate future and take things in smaller blocks.  It also makes you realize how much you miss the simple things we all take for granted.  Running, how much fun it would be to just be able to trot after the dog in the evening.  Getting through one day without thinking or talking about the injury (I'm sure The Lovely Wife would agree with this one).  Not measuring your steps.  Being able to go and do what you want is such an incredible gift.

Clay Ride

My first time on the CX bike since Hip Day.  I was terrified.  Every little root or rut made me pucker. As long as we were on a road of some type I was ok, but as soon as we got into anything resembling single track I almost stopped breathing.  Anything down hill made me ride the brakes.  We did another clay ride this past weekend and I felt better.  Still sketchy on the down hills and around other riders but I had a better time.

I had my usual spot in the back of the group last Sunday as we rolled out from Bradley's when this gray haired gentleman came back and rode up beside me.

"That bike looks new" he says.
"It's a little over a year old" I replied.  "I've been off it for a few months".
"How old are you?" he asks.
"Almost 60" I tell him.
"Ha!" he says, "I'm the oldest on this ride, I'm 64!"

Us old guys are like dogs when it comes to staking out the "oldest guy on the ride" trophy.  It isn't often I don't win the prize.  I guess I should be insulted that he thought I might be older than him.  I forget how I look.

The Woods

I've really been enjoying Munson lately.  It's easy, doesn't scare me, and it's pretty out there this time of year.  It just feels really good to get out in the woods.

I Was So Much Older Then, I'm Younger Than That Now

Three months and a week since I broke the hip.  I can finally walk (if you could call it walking) without the cane for sort periods.  I can MTB two days in a row without searing pain.  I am making progress.

My PT had me start doing one leg exercises last week which showed me just how weak my injured hip still is.  It's amazing how the body compensates.  He put the leg lift on 5 pounds and told me to lift it with just my injured leg.  I figured that would be no trouble, but it was.  Things get weak pretty fast at 59.  I only have one more PT visit then I graduate.  It was well worth the time, pain, and money.

On the MTB I have suffered through the mandatory "getting dropped" on group rides.  Nobody has much mercy on me except The Kid and Dr. Sworks.  I don't care, I'm just happy to be out riding my bike.  Well, maybe I care just a little bit.

The Kid

Speaking of The Kid, it's funny how our roles are now reversed.  He stops and waits on me, and looks back whenever he thinks he's dropping me.  Kinda like I used to do for him until he got all cat 3 on me.

He just got back from CX Nationals in Asheville N. C. where he raced with Team Florida Cycling.  It rained right before his race.  I don't think he's ever ridden in mud on the side of a hill.  He seemed a little bummed at his results (61 out of 80) but perked up as the weekend progressed.  When I talked to him after he got back he said he wished he was still up there.  I know that feeling, don't you?

The team after finishing 8th in the relay

The Next Page

Anyhoo, I hope I have learned something going through this injury.  This has been the first real challenge I've had to face (physically at least).  I can't say I've enjoyed it.  It has taught me to take things in smaller doses.  I keep reminding myself to enjoy what I get to do now.  When I get back to training (and I am looking forward to that) I will need to keep the memory of what it is like not to be able to train.

I know it's a classic joke about old people breaking a hip.  I don't want to do it again but you can't live life like that, at least I can't.  So many people are shocked that I even got back on a bike.  Life's too short to be afraid.  Of course that doesn't mean I'm not scared when I'm riding but that feeling gets less and less every time I throw a leg over.

So here's to another start of my cycling hobby.  May it go on as long as I want it to.