« you may or may not notice... | Main | New Burger King Ad »
May 17, 2005
I feel human again
As I lie on my couch trying not to cough up a whole lung, all I can think is how wonderful it feels. Blood is pulsing through my veins at a rate I haven't felt in 6 months. I rode my bike to work today for the first time since I hurt my knee November 2, 2004. This morning it felt so good to have the cool air blowing through my hair, my eyes watering and tears rolling down my face, scared to death going straight down Madison to Western (damn those streets are steep). Of course that was the easy part, after slightly struggling up to the top of pill hill from 12th and Union, I don't think I even had to pedal the rest of the ride. I though for sure I would have to walk a good portion of the way home (afterall, it is pretty much straight up). I planned out my route (Western to columbia to 1st to cherry to s. main to 5th s. to s. jackson to 12th s. to union to home) by choosing what I thought would be the least steep, not shortest distance. Much to my surprise I was able to make it the whole way home without getting off the bike. I was passed by every other bike rider on the street, wanting to shout at each one, "I just had knee surgery, this is my first ride in 6 months!" to justify my extreme slowness. The feeling I have now makes it all worth it though. I may feel like I'll never catch my breath (imagine if I hadn't stopped smoking), my legs are made of jello and my body might collapse, but I finally feel normal again. Yippee, Yay!!
Posted by meloknee at May 17, 2005 06:01 PM
Comments
Congrats! That's awesome. What a great early birthday present.
Posted by: chase at May 18, 2005 11:58 AM
I remember my first time up Madison, though I myself took the "back door" (aaaawwwwww, yeah). Needless to say, it was hard. To make matters worse, everyone was there to witness my extreme slowness. But hey, Madison likes it slow, baby. Especially when it's by way of the aforementioned back door.
Posted by: jlg at May 18, 2005 02:24 PM
awesome!!
Posted by: christie at May 26, 2005 08:21 PM