[Yo Sake]

a week ago I hit my pinky toe hard against a tree or rock on a tight corner while MTBing. I have been limping and of course haven't been able to run at all. Today I went over a handle bar riding wet/muddy condition and hurt my rib. It is extremely sore but I don't think it is broken.<br><br>
I'm pretty bummed. Obviously I don't have the basic skill of using the front disc brake properly. Getting used to a high speed (to me) is dangerous wo solid bike handling skills. I'm not sure how much fear grows in me when I get back to riding singletrack.<br><br>
Probably no swimming for a while. The pinky toe is too sore to resume running. I don't know what else I can do with this sore rib. Even driving is difficult. Luckily I havent signed up for any running races this fall, though I was training for a half.<br><br>
I'm not sure these injuries are just from lack of skills/ bad luck. Or an indication of being too tired (thus less concentration, brain not working as fast as I should) or I'm not mentally sharp & physically quick enough (getting old)......<br><br>
Thanks for letting me whine. I was looking forward to trying cyclocross this fall but my challenging spirit has deflated......<br><br>

 

[pcsronbo]

<p>It's time to rest a bit. Get that rib checked out, if it's painful to drive it might be worth a quick Xray.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>However, this need not preclude you from Cross.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Spend some extra time with the family and recover for a week or so. It won't kill you, you're way too strong for that.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I've been spending the last few weeks focusing on offroad form and trying to ride with others. there's a LOT to learn, OMG and so much is style but one thing that's clear? TIME out there. If you're pushing too aggressively with DH then maybe you need to tell him to slow down or ride apart?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>p.s. the toe sounds like bad luck. In my 4 weeks doing this I cannot even count the number of cuts and bruises. I even took out a tree (and it took me down) but got lucky on that. 15mph to 0mph is a pretty fast stop </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Go have a glass (bottle) of wine and rebuild. Work on the house or something. Then get back on the wagon in a week.</p>

 

[jenotter]

<p I'm sorry!!! Sending you big hugs!!!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I agree with Ronbo...rest, focus on something else, and you'll be on the mend in no time.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hang in there!</p>

 

[Flip]

<p>Awwww, *big hugs*!  Sounds like you might need a bit of rest?  </p>

 

[1Topodope]

<p>So sorry you are hurt.  Sounds like the others have it right - rest. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I found that bumps, bruised and "endos" are part of the mountain biking process.  It will get better!</p>

 

[Yo Sake]

Thanks guys. The painkiller which I rarely reach for is helping a bit. Coughing and sneezing are the worst. It is the nature of the sport - I m lucky it is nothing serious. A few female riders I know has been hurt one time or another seriously - like ambulance-serious.<br><br>
The up/downstairs hall ways have been recently painted. So I'm working re-decorating them. Hard to pick framing-worthy kids' artworks!!

 

[ksurp]

<p>Hang in there ! I do empathize with you.</p>

 

[jroden]

<p>cross will help your mtb skills because you get to try the same turns more than once in a safe environment, if you slide out its usually no big deal.  You do get more of those pesky bumps and suck from the mtb.  I use a tire called the WTB Velocaraptor i think for the mud, something with big knobs and a flexy sidewall at super low pressure seems to work best in the rooty stuff.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Tubeless can be a headache to set up but allows for lower psi's which allows the tire casing to flex and hold the rocks and roots</p>
<p> </p>
<p>you use the rear brake a lot in mtb, it can straighten out your bike, which you sometimes want and sometimes don't, the front can cause a slideout.  Cross will help you develop the ability to quickly get your foot out and stop a fall</p>

 

[Thor]

<p>Sorry to hear. But hey, you can choose to look at this as something that sucks, or you can choose to look at it as a way to spend more time doing something else. Because as RonBo mentions, you will be back, that there is no question. So maybe use it as a time to learn something new, either bike handling skills, or if that's not possible maybe something else entirely. Good luck. And you won't be down for long. I bet you're back out there going hard again in a week.</p>

 

[AdCo]

<p>Wow, sounds like you just keep having the bad luck. I went over my handlebars a bunch of times on the MTB and lots of bumps and bruises.  I'm with Ronbo.  Drown your sorrows and enjoy yourself. </p>

 

[pcsronbo]

Yosh how ya doin?

 

[Yo Sake]

<p>Thanks for asking Ron.  This injury STINKs big time.  I thought the pain was subsiding, then it has come back.  Also, now a slightly different area gives me a discomfort - it started with right underneath of my left chest, now under the left armpit. There isn't much fatty padding in that area and I must have got the areas hit really hard.  I really don't like take pain meds but I need them.</p>
<p>I can't swim, bike, run, or Yoga.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I was talking to a friend of mine who did quite a few Xterra races hard this year including Nat'ls the other day.  He said he wouldn't be doing Xterra any more.  The reason?  Hurt himself too often (and many close calls to more serious injuries).  Something to think about, for me, after this experience. </p>