Just to let you all know that my knee has healed well and I've been cleared for takeoff by my doctor. I've been back on the bike and am feeling virtually 100%.
The Doc said I was very lucky that the metal shard tore through my tendon vertically as opposed to horizontally- as the fibers run vertically. Had I torn it horizontally, there would have been difficult surgery with the potential of life-long loss of power and consistency in that leg. I am very thankful for this status!
Time to celebrate with some intervals!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Winter Riding and Carnage
In preparation for Actif Epica, a winter fun race coming up this February in Southern MB, Mike and I rode the northern section of the route in order to get a handle on our available gear and to see how we work as a team. The route consists primarily of gravel and dirt roads on a section of the Trans Canada Trail also known as the Crow Wing Trail. We began in Niverville and looked to ride about 50km back to Mike's place in South Osbourne. The temp was a windy but balmy -5 as we started out after getting dropped off in Niverville. Spirits were high and riding pace was much quicker than expected due to a decent tail wind. 
Although technically not the ideal weather for training for a race that could get much colder and snowier, we did get some affirmations of our gear choices. 1. We did not over dress. So basically, even though it was as warm as Cuba outside, we were not drenched in sweat.
2. Our navigation seemed to be generally solid despite riding 4 miles out of the way at the very start in search of the trail head!
3. We over-packed. No, maybe not, but at least for these temperatures. Still a good sign considering the alternative.
4. We began with warm water and ended with slightly warm water. Simply put- our water sources were kept warm enough at -5 that there was no major change in temp and no issues with freezing. OK- so -30 will look a bit different- but at least its good to know we are on the right track.
5. We were well stocked with emergency supplies that ended up coming in quite handy.
6. We didn't end up like this deer did.
Windblown Snowpak- ride-able in places
Fun on the drifts!
As we rode the last section of the floodway before St. Anne's road, I slipped on the ice and slid on the ground, tearing a deep hole into my knee. Something had sliced the skin cleanly and it turned out to be a used Co2 cartridge which was frozen to the ground with the punctured end up. Despite the blood I was able to keep focused and get it gauzed and bandaged enough for us to get into the city. After 5 hours at the hospital i had everything cleaned up and had the opportunity to take a few photos of the carnage. Here they are- not for the faint of heart.
Monday, October 31, 2011
That sure is a big log-barrier....crack....ouch....
While KK might have had the most awesome wipe-out over the log barrier at Halloween Cross yesterday, I may have done the most damage to myself. I think around the 5th lap I landed a bit sideways and heard a loud pop from my right calf. I was sitting in 3rd place at at the moment and really didn't want to have heard that... I was worried I'd broken my leg or something but could feel no strong pain so I thought either I was totally ok or totally in shock. I slowed down a bit to see what had happened and, although I did feel something strange, I decided to keep going, eventually holding out against a storming Chris H. for 5th place. It is now apparent that I have a pulled or strained muscle on the side of my lower leg, probably the Soleus, Peroneus Longus, Flexor Hallucis Longus, peronius srevis. Ok- so I don't know a thing about muscles. At any rate- that may be the end of cross season for me- hopefully it's not a terribly bad injury. I've never done that before and don't have much of a frame of reference. That said, it ended on a fantastic note- the race was fantastic, put on by our friends at Red River Racing, and they did a fantastic job even after overcoming a venue change and make a totally awesome course. Lots of fun costumes as well! Very memorable.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
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