Yesterday I visited my friend Dr. David Mruz at Eastside Chiropractic. He has been a huge help to me over the past two seasons. His support has gone far beyond just keeping my body straightened out! This visit was one of my better ones.

When I got back from the Ride for Mike, I called him up and requested a visit. I was all messed up. Thing is, I had been pretty messed up for several months and we had been working to manage the issues I was facing.

Thank you, Eastside Chiropractic!

Not long ago he would have me lay on my back and hold my arms straight up. He would tell me to put my hands back-to-back and lock my elbows. Then he would take my arms and try to pull them apart while I resisted him. I couldn’t do it. Hardly any pressure at all would have one of my arms giving way.

The same thing would happen with my right leg. When he tested my ability to resist my leg would give. When he would have me extend the leg in comparison with the left leg there was a noticeable difference.

He could give me some immediate relief and improve my range of motion, but it seemed I was always going back to the weakness. Dr. Mruz would advise patience and rest. However, during the season I kept pushing through trying to get back to my previous abilities.

Then it was time to train for Ride for Mike. Jim Cunningham, my coach, had me start doing more tempo training. Up to this point I had been training for the frenetic pace of criterium racing with its high wattage, sprint type accelerations. Typically, this would have me turning a bigger ring at higher revolutions.

Now I was holding a very steady tempo no greater than 260 watts  in a medium sized ring at my t-cadence — about 85 to 95 rpm. I was beginning to feel improvement in my right leg and hip even before starting on the Ride for Mike. I was amazed how I had absolutely no pain in my hip upon finishing the 220 mile event!

Having been off the bike for a week now, I am finding that the little quirks I have had are starting to iron out. Yes, when I first went to Dr. Mruz after the ride my neck was a mess! However, my legs (which had caused me problems all season) were doing much better.

Then yesterday I was pleasantly surprised that I had made great progress in the last week. I had only one area of weakness when the good doc tested me. It was great to hear him say, “Good” when he finished testing my right leg. I didn’t even need to hear it… I knew.

There is nothing wrong with a little rest. I’m finding my body is reacting well to the time off the bike. I’m also able to catch up on some off the bike stuff that has been put on hold. Getting some of that sorted out is also going to help me mentally.

The time will soon come when I’ll mount up again, but I’m not going to do it until my body gives me the signal.