With lots of time to think, rather than ride, work on the house, or work in the yard, lots of random stuff tends to zip around through the cerebral synapses. Of course the question remains how much will be remembered once the bones, tendons, ligaments, and skin have finished healing.
One thread in the milieu of thoughts has been of goals, short-term and long-term. The accident has had a great impact on many short-term goals and objectives. All remaining racing related goals for the year were immediately pushed into the mental bin marked ‘unattainable’, at least for this year. Who knows about next year. The Wife and I had a goal of doing some riding outside the US this year and had been planning on some MTB riding in South America to meet that goal. That, too, was swept into the ‘unattainable’ bin. Many more things will be pushed off this year’s calendar or seriously delayed. What comes back onto the calendar for next year remains to be seen and will be determined, in part, by how well the recovery is coming but also, in part, by considering and weighing the risk factors.
The long term goal thread has been dominated by concern about how accidents like this might impact what I want to do in the future. At some point in time, probably at the time I drop out of the day-to-day workforce, I want to take a few months and just meander across the country sampling a bit of the craziness that exists in this nation. Might want to try a couple of others, too. But to do so I must be healthy enough and able to physically stand the daily grind of pedaling many tens of miles. Got some other long term goals on the mind, too, and in general I need to be healthy to meet them.
So now I am sitting here with some work stuff cranking and waiting to finish so I am musing on how to balance staying active, doing what I would like to do, but staying healthy enough to continue to work towards what I want to achieve both now and down the (cronological) road. No answers at time, just part of what ye olde brain is trying to sort out at the moment.
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August 4, 2008 at 3:52 pm
girochatterbox
Oh, I thought this post was going to be about your right leg, which is now 1cm shorter than the left.
Yes, these are the things I keep mulling over, too. What are the greatest goals, and how can other goals avoid getting in the way. For me, I think the thing I love more than any other is travel touring. I want to make sure we are healthy enough to do that. Therefore, any undue risks that might interfere with that should be avoided. But, maybe your priorities are different, and we will have to compromise some to come up with something that works for both of us. In any case, I love you and can’t wait to have my riding partner back!
August 4, 2008 at 7:23 pm
chris
I would just keep doing what you are doing. To me your wreck seemed pretty exceptional. My worst wrecks have been non-racing related. I think anytime you get on the bike you are at risk. If you want to keep racing in some fashion, maybe you can do cross or TTs where you are less likely to get totaled in an accident.
August 4, 2008 at 10:10 pm
hernando
rick,
i would really consider trying something like gym climbing or aikido. something you could work on agility and overall body strength/agility - but in a safe, non-impact way. let your body adapt back and get straight and strong.
pilates is the best, i hear … but very structured and not as interactive and varied as the two above thoughts.
there is also the idea of dancing. salsa or even some classic stuff is very, very good for rebuilding straight.
hope these suggestions might pique your interest. if not, i’ve got some others if you ever want to yak.
m
August 5, 2008 at 4:50 am
Groover
Goal setting is good. Just keep them S-M-A-R-T. Good luck with it and all the best.
August 5, 2008 at 10:39 am
Sabine
yeah, I’m doing that sort of thing too. This crash scared me like no other prior crash has…I think the thump to the head is why…thats just not a part of my body I am willing to let get scarred up, ya know?
But, I’ve decided not to decide anything.
Also, when I think about healing and want I want to do, it is also traveling and riding. Except for me its trails and mountain biking. But same difference. Thats what gives me pure joy and its what compels me to get back on my feet again.
August 5, 2008 at 11:07 am
CyclistRick
Ms Chatterbox - we will work on the details. I have the same top priority as you, and we will work to ensure that is not compromised.
Chris - cross thoughts will have to be deferred until the shoulder is healthy. But I think there are places that I can still race with lower risk.
Hernando - my friends who do aikido usually get a few bumps, bruises, and occasional out of whack back; seems to be enough impact for some occasional damage. And my right knee shows the damage of climbing, though my climbing days were pre-climbing walls. We will find something to help, along with the yoga/pilates. to get back to some semblance of normality.
Groover - yes, we will take a bit more measured approach for now, with lots of thoughts about the possible consequences. Looks like you are back in the goal setting mood these days, too.
Sabine - I may have to do more trails and off-road once I have healed sufficiently. Do not want any additional concussions, and not a big fan of messing up my joints, either. I will not decide anything soon, but since I have the time I will be musing on the possibilities.
August 7, 2008 at 6:25 pm
twinkiepatissier
may i suggest mellow surfing? water is more forgiving for the crash (wipe-out) impact. scuba is not much of a sport, but it’s hella fun, too. swimming? well, that’s too much work…