2016 is underway and I am chomping at the bit to challenge the body and mind. The past few years have been filled with mostly swimming, biking, and running as I enjoyed returning to the triathlon scene after taking some time off. The time off was welcomed, fortunately not due to injury but a calling to take on some other challenges including hiking the PCT and traveling. Getting back in the water felt amazing and returning to long training sessions is always a treat. Since racing Kona in 2013, I managed to run a PR half-marathon at the Davis Turkey Trot despite a wet and windy course, and a PR at the Super Bowl 10k in February 2014. Both runs came after feeling a bit defeated from a scorching and blister filled marathon on the shores of Kailua-Kona. Following the 10k I had some tenderness in the heal of the foot. After weeks with no relief I found a specialist and determined I had been struck with plantar fasciitis; a swelling of the planter ligament. Almost a year later, and multiple visits to multiple therapists and specialists, I am still battling the issue. I have resorted to gadgets and gizmos, self-healing techniques, and just about everything under the sun but have learned that my foot anatomy is just a bit wonky.
All this being said, the soul is yearning for some mental challenge. Last Summer was filled with an incredible cycling adventure from Seattle to Alaska, but the small fire that burns within ready to awaken and turned into an inferno by competitiveness is hungry.
So I am accepting a new challenge. Melissa and I purchased some mountain bikes. I have owned many sporadically since college, but haven’t had access to the same beautiful trails I did while attending UCSC, so haven’t poured the same energy into the sport. I also have issues with driving to a trailhead, when I could simply hop on a road saddle and pedal out the door. This being said, trails are in striking distance and some new motivation has been found.
We both signed up for a mountain bike racing series where I will get an opportunity to test myself. Mountain biking is definatitely a different beast, and fitness is only a portion of the equation. Cycling has always been a passion of mine, and the feeling of the road beneath my hands, the wind in my face, and the sweat pouring down and dripping on the top tube is a welcome sign when pointing my bike of the steepest grades, but stomping on the pedals of a mountain bike requires more finesse, more patience, and a skill set that takes years to perfect. Confidence is built slowly, and over time, by simply riding trails over and over again and taking calculated risks.
So the road ahead is a bumpy one (don’t mind the pun) but sure to be filled with great views, sweeping single track, and a few dirt splatters on the backside. Keep pedaling. ~Justin
1 Comment
Taylor Nimon · January 30, 2016 at 6:06 am
Saw you on Tiny House.