Getting ready for an endurance ride feels a lot like having a second job. I constantly think about hydration, nutrition, and where I’m going to ride after work.  Add to this the personal need to perform better each time I hit the trail, and I have been turning into a stress ball.

I was in need of a little inspiration last Monday after whacking my knee on a rock.  The cut from the fall wasn’t bad, but my knee swelled. I put on a good face after the fall and told myself to suck it up. But an hour later during a climb, my knee was aching with every pedal stroke. So I finished the course, then went home to ice my injury.

Perhaps a swollen knee was a good excuse to sit on the couch, because I didn’t ride again for the next three days. Instead of riding I went home and sat on the couch. I ate, watched TV, and surfed the Internet. On the third day, while my boyfriend was out riding 22 miles, I happily stayed home to watch “The Fighter.”

A good night of relaxation was what I needed. I’ve been pushing myself too hard. My level of expectations have been too high during every ride. After making the slightest mistake I would be convinced that I wasn’t doing well. This attitude sucked the joy of mountain biking.

So I rebelled, acted immaturely, and took three days off. During the third day, when I actually relaxed, I had a good time. I finally had a day off from biking where I didn’t feel guilty about staying off the bike, even while my boyfriend was logging a 22 mile ride. Instead of joining him, I cleaned up the apartment, ate dinner at home, and had fun. What’s that called? Oh, yeah, work, ride, life balance.

In addition to watching “The Fighter,” inspiration also came from a Tweet I received Monday after I posted a photo of my knee on Twitter. @GirlBikeLove sent me to her blog to read this story that I didn’t get to until my relaxation time Thursday. The blog post was an interview with Wendy Skean, a 66 year young mountain bike racer. Here’s a fitting quote from the post:

“I just wish more women would [mountain bike] and believe that they can do it. There is still a lack of women at races and out riding. Its all about believing in yourself and your equipment.”

After reading Wendy’s interview, I’m surprised I didn’t berate myself for allowing a little fall to derail my training. But Thursday night I was inspired. A great movie, partnered with an inspiring rider helped me get back on my bike the next day.

Finally, I enjoyed a 15.5 mile bike ride at Big Cedar on Friday.

Saturday, Dave and I headed to Cedar Hill State Park for three laps, totaling 36 miles. This is the longest I’ve ridden a trail outside of an event.

Lap one was primo. I had forgotten that this trail is fun to ride. The trail stewards keep the berms in great shape, so the trail flows.

Lap two also felt good. My legs were a little tired on some of the climbs, but I quickly recovered.

Lap 3 was a bike-polar experience. I started the third lap confidently. I wasn’t bored of the trail, and my legs were holding steady. We both were tired the farther along we got on the trail, but we still felt good. Dave and I joked about pain being weakness leaving the body. I was proud to be riding my third lap – and happy that neither of us had quit.

Thirty minutes later the story changed. I’d put ice in my water bottle during out last refuel. With each bump I could hear it sloshing around. Stopping to take a cold drink became an obsession. We were riding switch backs on the hardest part of the trail, so I didn’t have a chance to grab for the water bottle. The more I thought about the cold drink, the less I thought about riding. Eventually I just wanted to put my foot down because I could. When I stopped, Dave asked if I was okay. I told him I was fine, so he kept riding. Read the rest of this entry →