I finally realize just how crazy most think that we are... We being cyclists, those that enjoy torturing ourselves over long miles to be rewarded with a skinny latte half way through the day. Only to spend that bit of valuable stimulant climbing the next hill to head for home.
I have been off the bike, or in recovery this time so long that I hardly remember how it felt. The end of a long day, always amazing, yet long and painful. A day of chasing away all that I am while pushing myself well beyond my comfort zone, proving to myself that I can do anything I set my mind to. It seems that the last 2 years have been blurred with injury, surgery and recovery. It also seems only proper that as the anniversary of the beginning of this downward spiral looms in the near future I am looking at traversing the long road home. The road back to where I was before I landed on my wrist Labor Day weekend 2009.
I have ridden about 20 miles in past 48 hours and I have struggled to do so. I have laid on the couch with legs that remind me of my first century after each of my 10 mile excursions. These same legs give me hope of centuries to come, although far away, they are attainable with some hard work. I refuse to let the world take this from me, This is the one thing in my life that has always made sense, and helped to make sense of the rest of life. 10 miles a day is killing me now and I understand why so many that don’t live this life look upon us so strangely. Had I not had the experiences past I would question my sanity at riding 10 miles a day, let alone over 100...
But I also know that today I walked up my stairs, unsupported for the first time in at least 10 weeks, and it felt amazing!!!!
