Free

I was released from PT yesterday.  It feels weird.  I think I'll miss the girl that worked on my shoulder.  She did a good job.  Am I 100%?  No.  My rotator cuff range of motion is probably only about 85% and the rest of my shoulder range is about 95%.  It's not bad considering how the I broke the device the doctor implanted in my shoulder and the bone popped up again.  But it still sucks.  Oh and the little device is still totally sticking up under my skin and still driving me nuts.  I see the doctor again on 12/1 to figure out how to fix that.

So what am I doing now?  Bike shopping!  Yippie.  Decisions, decisions.  Due to my amazing sponsorship, I'm definitely staying in the Trek/GF family and am looking at carbon race bikes.  Do I stick with the Top Fuel 9.9 full suspension, or do I go for the Superfly Elite 29er hardtail?

Isn't it funny that I've had both in the past and am still having trouble deciding?

What's Strange?

You know what's strange?  After a week or so of riding my shoulder is sore.  Not so strange huh?  It doesn't hurt while I ride, just the next morning and next day and next night.  And while I've been away from the gym, enjoying the trails, I've been neglecting my shoulder exercises and weight lifting.

Yesterday afternoon my shoulder was killing me.  So I decided not to ride and instead went to the gym and took a spin class.  After class, I spent almost an hour doing my shoulder exercises and lifting weights.  I increased all my weights and even added bench press.  How does my shoulder feel today?  Fantastcic!  In fact even last night, right after the gym, it felt great.

So even though I'm happy to be riding again, I'm going to need to dedicate at least four or five days a week to weight lifting.  I think it's time to buy some dumb bells.  Ooh, xmas wish list...

I Couldn't Do It

I went back to the scene of the accident again this afternoon.  The section of trail where I crashed was finally open.  The sun was blinding as I attempted the little rocky climb up to the drop that I crashed on.  When I got to the top, I stopped and looked.  I had no where near enough speed to roll through the middle that day.  What was I thinking?  That guy that stopped on the left totally blocked the only line!  It made me mad all over again.

So I backed up, tried to ride it, and I stopped again.  I totally chickened out.  Maybe next time...  So sad.

Joy = Speed

After two days off the bike, just taking spinning classes at the gym, I rode outside again today.  I went to Sherman Branch, an awesome local trail with amazing flow and swoopy hills.  The first lap (about 11 miles) was just kind of eh.  The second started better, which is normal for me.  But by the end of the second lap, maybe the last 15 minutes, I found that joy in mountain biking again.  Oh and I found my speed.  Coincidence?  I think not!

Back to the Scene

Of the crime?  No, of the accident.  Sunday afternoon I headed out to the Whitewater Center to do a few laps and face the little drop that caused such huge damage to my body.

And how was it?  CLOSED!!!  Apparently that section of trail has been closed for months.  Hmm.  I've been off the bike for months.  Weird.

Anyway, I had a good ride.  Definitely got a shot of the reality of how weak and out of shape I am.  On Friday I rode for just over one hour, on Saturday I rode for just over two hours, and on Sunday I rode for just over three hours.  And my legs / quads were burning, a good burn of course.  Maybe three days of riding in a row after taking almost three months off wasn't such a good idea.  Huh?

So I didn't get to face that little fateful spot, but I did get to ride with a great group of friends that held my hand the entire way.  Thanks!

Dirt Divas Year End Party

Our year end party is held at Anne Springs Close Greenway.  The trail there is almost 10 miles long and has some good climbing and fun downhills.  I rode with the advanced group as a sweep.  And boy did I sweep.  We did one lap in each direction and my legs burned.  My lungs were suffering too, but not as much as my quads.

It was a great ride.  I was definitely spent by the end after over two hours of riding.  I messed up on a couple things, but no falls or crashes.  And the borrowed 10 ton hardtail did it's job.

The party was a great success, and hubby and kid came out to enjoy the food and festivities.  As a city, Charlotte has two great attributes.  One, it has 10 local mountain bike trails in and around the city.  Two, it has a huge community of mountain bikers, with both a men's and women's club.

Tomorrow I plan to pick a full suspension Trek EX-8 from a co-worker at the Trek Store and re-visit the Whitewater Center where I had my accident.

Drum Roll Please

I can ride!  I am not only cleared to ride by the doc, but my shoulder works.  And get this, I didn't have some pain, or just a little pain.  I have no pain at all.  I mean none, ZERO!  That's crazy to me.

Today I rode two 5.5ish mile laps at Francis Beatty Park.  I had planned on trying a smooth course my first ride back.  But time in the day ran out and I had to ride local.  So I ended up at the rooty-est, most detested course in Charlotte.  It's where I learned to ride and love the roots, so what the heck.

And how was it?  Totally fine.  No pain, no odd feeling.  I was a little scared, a little nervous.  But is was no big deal.  No pain at all, really.  I type it here and I've said it so many times out loud and yet it's still so hard to believe.

I took it a little easy on my first lap and then chased some guys on my second lap.  I know, I'm dumb, but old habits die hard.

So I guess I'm okay.  I mean my shoulder is okay.  I can pick up my kid, I can ride my bike.  What else is there, right?

Tomorrow is the Dirt Diva / Tarheel Trailblazer Year End Party and I will get a chance to ride a long course with some good climbs and real descents in a group setting.  We'll see how that goes.  Wish me luck...