Turning Point?

March 2025 Trail Race

As I continue my recovery from my mishap on January 31st, winter is still lingering. During my recovery I have managed to stay relatively active with Zwift trainer rides, home PT, and PT at Richmond Physical Therapy. Overall, things are going well although I have not done much running since before my slip and fall on the ice. As someone who really enjoys trail running and has big trail running goals, being sidelined has been less than ideal. I have also not been able to continue the strength training routine that I had going before my fall. 

But today I had a good road run. My shoulder did bother me pretty much the whole time but the running part went well. The rest of my body seemed Ok, my pace was decent, and my running fitness has not fallen off too much. It was a relatively short run of 5 miles but I felt relaxed and I was able to let the pace come to me. 

Could this be the day I turn things around? It could be. I have a 10 mile trail race in just over 3 weeks. I was worried I would have to skip it but after today, I feel like maybe I can slowly build my mileage up and participate in the race. The excitement of toeing the line often gives me momentum and drives my motivation to do more. I need to get back into strength training, Pilates, etc. I am hoping the positive run I had today acts as a motivator. And it looks like warmer weather is coming to our area soon. Hopefully the trails will open back up and I can get back to my favorite activity which might just help keep me motivated to participate in the less glamorous aspects of training (weights, mobility, better eating, etc). Time will tell. 

Groovus Interruptus

Not to sound like a broken record but winter training can be challenging. The colder temps, grey days, and less sunlight can lead to motivational challenges. It is nothing new but Winter has become a sort of Groundhog period for me. I lament each year yet somehow find ways to get the workouts done. 

After the Snowy Owl 10 miler and some short recovery time, I started to look forward to the upcoming race season. Sometimes simply visualizing competing in races and events can motivate me to lace up and get the workouts done. After all, I do enjoy working out but sometimes, it is like going down a slide. Climbing up the ladder brings nervous anticipation and once at the top, I sometimes need a little push. 

One of my goals for the new year was to add more strength training into my routine. To that end, I subscribed to the NPR Life-kit Newsletter which offers advice and inspiration for exercise and healthy living. Following the science, I added a strength training routine into my weekly workout schedule. I also added in weekly yoga to compliment all my running and biking workouts. I was rolling along pretty good, running trails a few times a week, doing cycling workouts on my trainer in Zwift, and getting in some consistent strength training. I was getting into the groove nicely!

Just as I was getting into the groove, Mother Nature decided to intervene. Our area got a big snow and ice storm that put a damper on doing anything outside. Roads and sidewalks were impassable so I was confined to indoor Zwift workouts. That was not so bad but I had to be imaginative to stay motivated to ride the trainer every day. I was doing pretty well until I had a little disaster. 

After spending a Saturday afternoon driving all over town looking for a nice metal shovel to remove the several inch thick coating of ice around my car, I finally asked friend if I could borrow a shovel from him. Jackpot, he loaned me a real nice flat blade metal shovel with a fiberglass handle. It was the perfect tool. As someone who enjoys removing snow, I got right to it. I was making mad progress when all the sudden, I slipped and fell on the ice. When I fell, I hyper extended my shoulder and found myself in the worst pain I have felt in a very long time. Was it worse then when I broke my clavicle in a bike crash during Ironman Louisville in 2015? Maybe. Was it more painful when I had a chest tube inserted with no anesthetic (including rib spreader)? Maybe so. It hurt so bad and I was now on the ground, lying in the fetal position on the thick ice. My phone had fallen out of my pocket but thankfully I was able to retrieve it and call my wife who sprang into action to rescue me from the ice and take me to the ER at VCU Health. 

I was in immense pain. As I waited in the ER, I was moaning in pain. I felt like a child but could not stop moaning. As I waited for intake and triage, then x-ray, then treatment, I started to shiver and shake. Was it from the cold or something else, I am not sure. I tried to keep myself calm with deep breaths which helped. I also thought of my brother John. He had been through so much and was always able to endure. I tried to visualize the end state of being treated and the pain going away which helped me not totally freak out.  

After what seemed like a very long time, I was wheeled into a room and given IV medications which helped relieve the pain. The doctor then manipulated my humorous bone back in the shoulder socket. I felt instant relief. It was really uncanny how quickly the pain subsided after the manipulation. I was released not long after that with a sling and prescription for some meds and physical therapy. All told, I was in the ER for about 5 hours. Not terrible at all really. But wow, the pain, it was intense. 

Since that ordeal last Saturday evening, I have had a follow up and have my first Physical Therapy appointment scheduled for next Monday. I still can't drive and do certain things like tie my shoes. Melissa is stuck doing all the daily chores and taking care of me but each day I am doing a little better. I am hoping to get back in the groove but have adjusted by expectations for spring races. My A race for the year is not until September so I have lots or time. I am hopeful that I can race a trail race that I am signed up for in March but I will have to wait and see how PT goes. 

Be careful out there folks. A simple slip and fall can be disastrous. Thankfully I have Melissa to take care of me. Looking forward to getting back in the groove, maybe in March. 

Let the Games Begin! Snowy Owl 10 Mile Race Repot

Sunrise at York River Stare Park

2026 is now officially in full swing. For the last few years, I have been making the Snowy Owl 10 Mile trail race my kickoff race to get the year rolling. Snowy Owl is produced by Happy Cat Fitness, a small local race company that puts on wonderful, friendly events in and around the Williamsburg area. This race takes place at the beautiful York River State Park which offers hiking and biking trails for all abilities. Happy Cat races accommodate runners and hikers so there is something for everyone at his race with a generous 4 hour cutoff. 

Last year I had a PR at this race so going in, I wanted to be competitive but did not think I would be up for another PR effort. Here is a snap of me at the starting line (red shirt and blue visor). 

This race is mostly on single track mountain bike trails which means nothing is flat and there are numerous roots, rocks, leaves, and technical up and downs to navigate. It is custom made for me as I am 'Rudy the Rabbit' (old movie reference) and enjoy the challenge of scurrying through the trees and doing my best not to fall on my butt. 

After some wide open double-track at the start, the race quickly moves on to the technical single track I so love. My goal this year was to not go out too fast. I did a little better than last year in that respect but it did not take long for me to get annoyed with running on other racer's heels so I put in some efforts to get around some folks so I could better navigate the trails. I prefer to make my own mistakes and not rely on other people's lines. 

The race was pretty uneventful which is desirable. I did not stumble, I did not fall. There were a few moments when I questioned my sanity and wondered why I bother running at all. Tempo efforts can do that to a person. But I persevered and tried to keep the gas pedal down. In the end, my finishing time was good enough for second in the 50-59 age group. Whoo hoo!

I was happy with the race and enjoyed meeting up with my friend Tyler who also has been doing this race each year. He calls it the "Holiday Humbler". 

The day after the race, I was appropriately sore and somewhat tired. Since I did not have to go to work on Monday (that's a story for another day), I slept in a bit and then went to one of my favorite parks for a recovery walk in the woods. It was quiet and peaceful and I saw a number of cool woodpeckers on my walk along the creek. 

A few miles walking in the woods does a body good. And it is good for my overall well being. The park was quiet and I only saw a few people with their dogs so I got to contemplate my navel and take in some wildlife. 

So far, 2026 is off to a great start!