Three months of solid training is vortexing down the drain. I broke some ribs last weekend (and messed up my thumb royally) at the Temecula race. In lap 3 at 22 miles my front tire started to wash out in some sand, I tried to correct it and the wheel crabbed under, driving me straight to the ground where I sort of landed on my handle bars with my ribs and rammed my hand into the ground bending my thumb completely backwards.
Of course, being the idiot that I am, I got up and road another 6 hours and finished with 81 miles in 9 laps, barely holding the bars with my left hand and screaming in agony from my jumbled ribs bouncing around on the descents and technical sections. My buddy, Tan, drove us clear back all night to the Bay Area and I had to pack and move back to CO the next day. Been a fun f-kng few days.
I can ride but it hurts to breathe, which I'm doing a lot of (more like gasping) with my bed situated at 8,600 ft elevation. Mentally, I'm out of it and about ready to give up the season. I keep telling myself what I tell all my athletes I coach who get an injury or sickness, It's not the end of the world, or season, for that matter. Ride it out and ease back into it and everything will fall into place quickly enough. Tough to handle when I'm the one actually having to listen to myself. All I know is that broken ribs are the worse broken bones I've ever had and I've had a lot. Pity party ended but I'm still eating the cake and drinking the leftover beer.
Here's a video I took from the pre race lap ride the day before. Enchanting. Best viewed at youtube in HD setting.
Grab your boot straps & get a move on!
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Bummer Tim. Apr 13 is a long way off in rib/thumb healing time. Let that thin CO air be your training for a bit and rest, rest, rest.
ReplyDeleteDude. I feel for ya, the twin pangs of pain after you hit the ground: A) I'm hurt! B) I won't be able to do stuff!
ReplyDeleteAnd then trying to figure out what exercise to do that doesn't involve breathing.
On my best days riding hurts... I can't imagine doing it jacked up. Hopefully you will heal quickly!
ReplyDeleteTake a deep breath (ok, a semi-deep breath) - it is January. Leadville is still a good bit out. You really should try to have a little less fun at your races though ;-) Seriously, recover well and get ready to destroy Leadman! You living in Nederland...?
ReplyDeleteThe first race of the series is still half a year away. Suck it up, push through it, and realize you have time to come back. Don't let this crush the dream. I planned on seeing you walk away from me during Leadman....don't let me down. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments! Yeah, Leadman is a ways away (June 29) but I do have other races before then and Leadman is going to require a deep base of fitness and then specific training. I'll ride this little setback out and then make adjustments to my goals, if needed. Like not doing both silver rush races and/or just focusing on finishing the series. It's just racing, so I'm trying not to stress too much over it.
ReplyDeleteBuck up, Tim. Just rub some Vi on those ribs.
ReplyDeleteTime fixes everything.
Activate kitty blanket power!! I *allegedly* broke a/some ribs after a bad jet ski crash at the lake. Couldn't serve a volleyball overhand for 5 months. Terrible bones to injure. Feel for you. A little.
ReplyDeleteaw man. sucks.
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