Ouch!

VIEW AT BROWN COUNTY STATE PARK

I had the past two day off of work since it is the high holy days and I work at a Jewish based organization. So, i decided that I was going to workout hard and enjoy some paid time off. My journey started off with a 9 mile run from my house down the canal to Butler University where I then proceeded to do stair intervals and 400 repeats on the track. I had my ipod on and was having one of those "effortless" runs. Those don't come often, but when they do come; I go with it. It felt awesome and it was beautiful outside.

I woke up on Wednesday morning (without an alarm clock) and my friend Cheryl and I headed to Brown County State Park to ride the mountain bike trails. Cheryl and I learned how to mountain bike at the same time 2 years ago. We had so much fun and rode for 3 hours! We didn't have any major wrecks and the scenery was breath taking. We then rode a loop around the park which was full of really steep grades. These are the hills that you dream of! They are hard, long and turn your legs to jello. One of the hills hurt so bad that I was actually crying on the way up. I really wanted to laugh (because Cheryl was cussing), but I couldn't find the oxygen, so tears came out instead. We got back to the car and I was trying to practice some technical skills and I was so tired I couldn't even pick my front wheel up.

Cheryl and I are going back down to Brown County next weekened for the Brown County Breakdown. It is an epic mountain bike ride that hits all of the trails and fire roads in and around the park. I am sure it will take us all day, but it will be fun. It will also be great training for my upcoming adventure race.

So, why did I title this blog Ouch? Well, because I can't walk this morning because my calves are one big knot. I think it is from the stairs that I did at Butler on Tuesday. In addition, my throat hurts and I feel like I need a 5 hour nap. It doesn't help that I have to be at work at 6am. Oh, and it was flipp'n freazing outside this morning! I am not ready for that. I like being warm, I like the sun and I hate winter. So, I am a little bitter body this morning because I hurt, I am tired and it is cold. I just soaked my legs in the hot tub at work and it was absolutely amazing. It did help to brighten the spirits a little. I look forward to 2:30 when i get to go home and take a nap!