Archives for July 2011
soup de jour
I had no idea how much I’ve had cycling on the brain until today. While attempting to read a work-related article heavy in acronyms, I was hard pressed to train my brain to recognize the acronyms for what they were meant to signify. TDF and TdF are not the same. Nor are SRM and SRAM alike. But, try as I might, I simply could not manage to get my brain to pull the intended meaning while doing this background reading.
This is not the first time I’ve been drowning in acronym soup. Having written about it on a few other occasions, it is clear that this soup de jour is a favorite on many industry and non-industry menus.
Rest Stop
Normally, I wouldn’t dream of removing my shoes and socks mid-ride. Normally, I’d take on that hill no matter how painfully slow my fitness required. But there is nothing normal about today.
I have Saturday’s downfall (twisted ankle during a run) to thank for the foot and ankle pain I’m feeling today. It’s on my “good” side, which is probably a blessing but is depressing nonetheless.
Fortunately, I am able to manage the flats without a whole lot of complaint. So after peeling off my sock to check for bruising I changed directions and pushed hard on the flats instead.
I also had to some good company on today’s ride which was another thing to be thankful for. Although I think we were both disappointed that we couldn’t enjoy the beauty that seems to be prevalent in the hills and almost non-existant in the flats, it was still a good ride.
My outing with Running
My relationship with Running remains strained. We hooked up for a short trail outing. Initially, I was quite out of breath. My discontent with the entire thing was obvious but I did not give up my efforts. In the meantime, Running showed his support by simply staying with me at whatever pace I could manage. Careful not to overwhelm me, he stayed silent – never once complaining that my thoughts were dominating the outing. His efforts were greatly appreciated.
About 20 minutes, or so later, I realized that I was finally at ease. My breathing was easy and my pace was acceptable. I smiled and let down my guard.
Over this hills and through the trees, we moved along side by side. Feeling quite pleased with our little rendezvous, I lost sight of my lets-take-it-slow plan and began to romanticize about a future together… Like a young girl doodling hearts on a napkin and practicing her signature (should she and the man of her dreams wed), I began fantasizing about my first ultra-marathon. Woodside, Skyline to the Sea, Quicksilver….they all were looking as appealing as a gold band to a girl-wildly-in-love.
It was obvious that I was getting way ahead of myself. One good outing does NOT make for a life-long commitment. I know this. But still, I let my mind wander. And that was when it happened….
woe-is-me-ailment
When I was a teen, the onset of menstruation was met with physical and mental protest. As far as I could see, there was just no good reason that women should be subject to nearly a week of being doubled over in pain.
Well, when childbirth came along, menstrual cramping seemed unworthy of complaint. Besides the fact that my body seemed to accommodate the change with a bit more grace, the pain paled in comparison to birthing a child. Marathons, for that matter, pale in comparison to child birth – at least in comparison to the birth of my first-born.
I guess I’ve been pretty fortunately that most months come and go without much whining. Yet, every once in a great while, a day will hit where I want to take a couple of Vicodin (perhaps do the unthinkable mixing with red wine), and either sink into a tub filled with hot sudsy water or into the fetal position and whimper. Today, is one of those days.
Why, you may ask, am I blogging about THIS? As if anyone really cares to read about it. You see, I am hoping that one or two of you will have some helpful hints on what might help relieve this pain. If there is an herbal tea I can drink, a yoga pose I can hold, or a certain way I could rub my tummy and pat my head to ease my woe-is-me-ailment, please leave a comment.