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The Dirt In Front of Him...

Saturday, 11 May 2013 01:10

By Bonnie Fortitude

I sipped my coffee in smooth satisfaction as the sweet smell of roasted, chocolate covered hazelnuts billowed up against my nostrils. Life was good. Like a gentle hammer, I set my cup down on my cubicle desk and picked up the list I had just finished compiling. In my hand, I held 2013 like a prized ribbon. I paused for one last satisfied glance at my race schedule then rose from my chair to pin it to the fabricated wall. Pain flooded over my knee cap, reminding me that not everything is in my control.

Last fall I celebrated a great training and racing season with a solid bike ride. It was one of those days where the wind threatened to snatch the roof tops right off the houses. Being slightly demented, I was enjoying the agony as I cranked down hard on the pedals, pushing my way home. But I made one mistake. I locked my knees while in a standing position, riding as hard as I could into the...

wind in my toughest gear. Up until that day, I had never had knee problems. When I returned home three hours later, I knelt down on the living room carpet to catch my breath. It was a solid effort and I was glad it was over. I tried to stand. Nothing. My knees were totally locked up.