Repeat

We made our way back down to St. George last weekend. It was another delightful trip. It was warmer on the first day which was nice. We did almost the exact same trails too. Day one we did the race course, zen, barrel cacti, bear claw poppy, and back again. Then we drove to barrel roll and black brush. I pushed pretty hard and for the 4:45 hours we rode, my heart rate average was 157. This included a couple of stops where Chris provided me instruction and tips. He is convinced that I can be faster by being more efficient. I know I can be more efficient.
Day two included riding Coral Canyon bike path, under I-15, Church Rocks, Prospector, up to Red Cliffs Recreation, back again and then another lap or two on Church Rocks. It was shorter, but by the end of 3:30 hours we were spent. We then headed home.
Besides this trip I have been a bit lazy. I went snow shoeing once. It was fun but I ended up with some crazy blisters on my heels. I have been riding for an hour most mornings before work. I have not gone running like I should during lunch though. I don't know what it is this year, I can't get motivated to do it.

Snowshoeing on Bonneville Shoreline

I have an excuse/rationalization though. They are refurbishing the floor I sit on at work so I have a temporary home. It is freezing. I have to put my winter coat on for periods of time to warm up. I have a difficult time being that cold in doors to go outside wearing less. I did not say it was a good excuse, but I really think that is the issue. Like today, I stayed at my desk eating soup instead of going for a run. I know if I just suck it up and do it once, I will be find. It is just doing it. Maybe tomorrow.

St. George Pictures

Chris checking out the trails below Zen

From Zen

Chris on Prospector

KC on Prospector

Recovering from Trees

So I have been trying to recover all week from the trees in Moab. I got clipped or more accurately I clipped two of them. The first was on Porcupine Rim. I hit this tree with my left arm about half way between my elbow and shoulder. It knocked me off the bike, but really just some bruising. No big deal. The thing that stood out the most on this was seeing Chris' front wheel coming towards me, hoping he would stop in time. He did.
Then on the way back from Pothole Arch, I hit my left hand on a tree. This too dropped me. I landed squarely on my right shoulder. When I landed all I could think was "Oh, no!" It hurt so badly. I was not sure I would be able to ride again. Luckily the pain seemed to subside quickly. Chris was ahead of me at the trail head, working on his bike. I stopped next to him and told him what happened. It was then that I realized, for the first time really, that I had hit my left hand and it was bleeding. I took off my glove, but did not think much of it.
While my left hand looks the worst, it really has not bothered me. There is lots of bruising, abrasions, etc. My right shoulder is pretty swollen but no bruising. Similar to my right thumb which is still bugging me. I am a mess.
So I have not done much riding. This really has less to do with how I feel and more my schedule and the weather (cold temperatures) and lack of light. But today we rode the St. George race course, Zen Trail, Bear Claw Poppy, Stucki Springs to Barrel Roll. Then we just rode the dirt back to the car. It was a little over four hour of fun and fairly pain free.