I had a recent “setback” that actually turned out to be an amazing reminder of something that I haven’t done in a long time, but love. I was having foot issues and—while I didn’t go to a doctor because who does that?—I’m pretty certain I was dealing with a bit of extensor tendonitis in my left foot. To give my foot a rest, I cut back on miles and decided to hop on my road bike for the first time in years to maintain fitness and training load.
After one slow 15 mile ride to Eldorado Springs and back from my house, I knew I was in trouble. I couldn’t wait to get back on the bike again. There is something so joyful and childlike about being on a bike and I hadn’t experienced that feeling in much too long. I went on a two hour ride the next day and the feeling didn’t go away.
Entrance to Eldorado Canyon
Now I’m trying to figure out how to get a ride or two in while maintaining a schedule with at least 4-5 hours of running per week. I had one day that combined an hour of cycling in the morning with an hour of running with my wife—something we haven’t found time to do in way too long—later in the morning. It’s typically pretty hard to find an hour during the middle of the workday, but that’s just a matter of priority. How important is it to me?
Something super interesting to me is that, while I’ve been on my mountain bike more than a few times this year, I didn’t experience the same rush that road riding brings. I don’t think it’s the speed. I don’t think it’s the sustained cardio. It’s just something else. Some reminder of riding in your neighborhood on your Huffy with your friends. There are just deeper memories there for me I guess.
As far as I can tell, my foot is better. I went on a 13 mile run over the weekend with no pain, so it can’t be in too bad of shape. I guess I understand how runners become triathletes now. Luckily, I still have no interest in swimming. For now.
