February 2006 Archives

It's been more than two years since I last biked to work, and I knew there were hills for most of the 36.5km, but I guess my body forgot how to deal with them. My recent 20km rides have a few ups and downs, but I usually end those feeling rather good. Today on the way to work, I had to shut down my mind and all other non-essential organs just to make my jello-filled legs* keep the crank turning.

I somehow made it to the end, and I'm sure someone eventually will tell me that it did me some good. Right now though, I just want to go home and sleep. The trip home is even worse due to the afternoon humidity, but my car is expected to be ready today and I'll probably be able to shave about 10km off the return trip.

* the muscles had long since liquidated.

I had a tangle with the bus-time continuum yesterday and lost 4 hours.

Well, it wasn't a complete loss, as I did get some entertainment out of it. One guy on the bus, with windblown hair and wearing shirt and shorts that looked like they had been through several small wars (having not survived any of them) sat with his head in a book the whole way, alternating between yawning and chuckling. It takes all types. In my defense, I only managed around three hours of sleep the night before, and Terry Pratchett is a funny man.

With my car still in the workshop for a couple more days, I've all but decided to brave the summer heat and bike the 37ish km to work tomorrow. I'll try to get plenty of sleep tonight and see if I feel up to it.

"Mmm, three!"

Three runs this week, and I'm still able to walk. While I do feel a hint of a shin-splinty type of pain along the shin bone, I feel none of the symptoms of the compartment syndrome that plagued me for so long.

I'm going to take it easy for a couple of days so that I don't overdo it and end up crippling myself, but I think it's time to work a long run day into my weekly schedule.

Wish me luck!

I just found out today that they've changed the Anzac day 8km run to a 10km run this year, so I need to train a little harder than I expected. Planning to be in Brisbane on April 30? then come join us. :-)

I sat down at my computer last night and half noticed a small bolt sitting on my computer desk. I dismissed it without a thought until I noticed a short while later that I was fidgeting with it. A brief examination left me puzzled when I discovered the letters "SIDI" etched into the head.

I've only ever owned one thing SIDI, so how did a bolt from my bike cleats end up on my computer desk? Perhaps it has started moonlighting with that glove that likes to get out and party sometimes, or perhaps I just put it there without noticing, and if so, what else does this nut get up to in his fugues?

The mind is a scary place. I don't think I'll go there - I'll just blame the glove for its bad influence.

Denial.

On a lighter note, the shins are feeling fine after another run of my local 4k residential road circut. I may well be able to squeeze in another run this week if they stay that way. Yay me.

and other bruises

I love that so many years ago my doctor was able to make a house call in the dead of night and save a small boy's lung. I love that I can get up early in the morning and go for a run instead of hooking up a respirator. That whole "sliding doors" thingum was kind to me.

I loved my run this morning. Life is simply bonza.

Clever me, I kicked a chair this morning while running to the alarm (yes, running!). It seems I did a mighty fine job of it, because one of my toes is swollen and purple.

I had been looking forward to running this morning. It's not going to happen.

Next time, I'll charge toward the alarm head-first. Nothing to break up there.

My Wednesday afternoon running partner, who is new to running, is experiencing shin troubles similar to mine. He's made the wise decision to cut his Wednesday runs until further notice. So, I'm going back to doing all of my training runs in the morning before work - at least for now.

My shins were in real trouble on Saturday's run also, so it's probably a good thing that I can be more flexible with planning my runs around how they're holding up, rather than trying to mesh with the schedules of other people.

I'm really enjoying the training. This shin condition is still holding me back, though. If I could just get rid of these legs I'd run a whole lot better...

... Okay, maybe not.