No fracture- great news! After a week of not being able to walk, we finally scheduled the MRI. 8cm bone damage (medullary bleeding, etc) but no crack in cortex. Lots of vastus intermedius damage. So one way to look at it is that I am lucky the guy did not break my leg. I tend to look at it the other way- I am a rockstar that can handle a big tackle. Except I don't heal as quickly any more- as Dave likes to point out- I need to reverse my mindset of 23 to my real age of 32. And as perverse as it sounds, I am even more eager to go play another game.

I finally got to get on my bike a little bit today. I love my morning rides- this time of year it is easy and social. I have a small 4:55 am crew that meets for a few extra miles. McKee and I talk about our dogs the whole time and how much we love them. Every single morning we have a new "I love my dog" story.


Tim talks about how he doesn't sleep because he has kids, the kids were sick, the kids wouldn't take a bath, etc. Every ride I do with Tim puts me one more week behind in family planning. McKee and I interject from time to time with a statement about how great our dogs are. And we repeat these conversations every single morning with hardly any variation. Tim is tired, and McKee and I are happy with our dogs.

So the ride was doable. Obviously no running for a bit- I am a little disappointed to be out of the Road Race Series as I was starting to run well and ready to blast out a good half marathon. But I think I am going to come back around pretty quickly- maybe a late winter half marathon will be in the works.

Ugh...I am just delaying the inevitable with work. Off I go.

I haven't had a good Smithy picture post in a while...

I am often asked why I play soccer. I am asking you why you don't? You are foolish! Not only is it the best sport in the world (hence the World Cup), it has the finest looking men on the planet. And yes, I think Dave is extremely hot on the soccer field. (for the record, Dave said I am my hottest in my cycling shorts- who knew?)

But soccer and triathlon don't always go together.

For example, Smithy- hot on the soccer field. Dork on a bike. I so wish I hadn't seen this picture.

And apparently soccer and triathlon don't go well together for me either.

Last Tuesday I went into a tackle that looked like this. Pretend I am Smithy, and the guy in blue is a keeper getting ready to take my legs out. And it really did look something like this. Easy to imagine that I am injured. Again. From soccer. (every single injury I have ever had has been soccer related- I don't think I have ever had a true triathlon/running injury).

And as Kevy said, it is hard to have sympathy for me when I have soccer injuries because I know to stay off of the field. Ughhh.... I know. I was pretty sure my left leg was fractured. It in fact is probably not fractured according to x-rays but my femur is extremely bruised- and I am hurting. This has been my most painful injury to date.

I have taken 5 days off completely- haven't even gone into work, and I am still in pain. I have thrown everything at this injury: pineapple smoothies, arnica, acupuncture, nsaids, the good meds, epsom salt baths, B-12 shots (limited research on osteoclast production?), heat, ice, Lucia (she rocks), and complete couch rest. I have read 5 romance novels and I have also started Christopher Moore's Lamb (Awesome!). What I haven't done is train- and this was my first week back to structured training. Instead, I am winning the contest in the house for the chunkiest monkey (Roo was holding the title, but I now own it).

Great, so now I am not only in pain, I am out of shape. Shoot!!!

So Lucia asked me today if I am going to finally give up soccer. And I thought, why lie? If I say yes, I will just have to eat my words a year from now when I am back on her table asking for help from a soccer injury. But for the immediate future, yes.

So, what have I learned about myself through all of this? That it is really hard to get a lesson through my thick skull. :)

Happy Friday everyone- best of luck to Jarred, Tom, Billy, Jeff, and Mary in Ironman Florida this weekend!

Does anyone else think Kari has been exceptionally silent?

Looks like Drew Brees DID dress up as a quarterback for Halloween.

I am a gracious, winner, though. And I will let Kari decide if she wants to be a Saintsation or a Brees fan for her bike ride. The Brees earrings add a nice touch, don't you think?