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Dec 31, 2017

2017 Recap - Detroit Runner or Biker?

Hey all, long time, no post.  For those that have followed me on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, you know that I was injured at the end of June this year.  It took some time to heal (and I purposely took off more time that I needed) and, in the meantime, I didn't just sit around and do nothing (Well, not everyday at least).

I moved to biking in July and started using my old road bike and my old mountain bike.  I used to ride my road bike thousands of miles years back when I was in school.  The injury was both a blessing and a curse.  No running but lots of biking.  And by the way, biking costs so much more!!!!
My 25+ year old mountain bike
I wanted to run again however this time I couldn't.  Fortunately I fell back in love with biking and bought myself a cross bike.  I figured I'd ride my old bike until I was sure I was going to get into biking again.
Specialized Crosstrail - an awesome all around bike!
I was able to get my endurance on the bike up to 50 miles and was pretty happy with that.  I even rode to work in the Summer several times.  Given the distance you need to cover on a bike to make it equivalent to a run, I got to explore some new places and some great trails and parks that I never would have seen from running.  I even did a bike race as well as a tour this year for the first time and it was so fun!
Beat the Trail group ride - a 34 mile course through Detroit (and it's awesome)

Tour De Troit - did this with a couple friends and was super fun
Then I liked it so much, I decided to buy a Fat Bike.  This was not only so that I could get back onto the trails that I loved running but also so I could bike all year long.  I had a little mishap at the end of October and fell on the bike and bruised some ribs.  Wow!  It took me out for 4 weeks - no running or biking of any kind for the majority of November. 
Addison Oaks mountain bike trails
It's been quite an adventure but I love having the option of biking in the Winter.  For those of you that have not tried it, it's really a fun sport riding on the snowy trails.
The Specialized Fatboy Fat Bike
I also added snowshoeing into the mix to help do some cross-training.  I really plan to focus more on cross-training this year to help keep me from injury.  Not only is snowshoeing really fun, it's a great workout as well.
The snow has been plentiful for snowshoeing this season.
Finally, I also got back to running but only December has been a little more regular.  I've built back to about 3.5 miles per run and continue to get stronger everyday.  I hope to be back to 100% by late Spring/Summer.
Finally some running too
I ended my year with 1,442 miles on the bikes and 786 miles running.  I'll take it for a year when injury was the theme.  The best thing that came out of this was that I now have two primary sports to focus on for next year.  Maybe I should start to swim?

My goal for 2018 is to get back to more regular running and get my distance back to the half marathon.  I'll likely not run a marathon or longer distance again but I do love the challenge of the half marathon and I can do the training for this while still being able to ride the bikes regularly too.  I've missed out on a lot of running races this year so hopefully I'll be back with a few reviews for some new races next season but we will have to see about that next year.

Hope you all had a great year.  With my injuries, I'm very happy 2017 is over and am looking forward to a much better year in 2018.

Have a great day and.....Keep Running!!!! (and Biking!)


3 comments:

  1. I'm sorry that you've had to deal with injury over the last year. It was a bummer not to see many running updates from you, but I loved seeing all of the great photos from your rides. I'm glad you had a good perspective and were able to find something else to do while you couldn't run. I'm glad it wasn't just something to get by while you couldn't run, but something you truly love to do. Very cool that it helped you rediscover a love for biking! I hope your return to running continues to go well and that you have a great 2018!

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  2. Welcome back! You are hard core for getting out there in the snow. When it's winter I ride on the trainer. =)

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