Sore

Written by cycleguy on May 8th, 2016

It never ceases to amaze me how I know something is going to hurt (i.e. make me sore) and yet I will do it anyway. You would think at the age of 63 I would be wise enough to say, “No!” and walk away from the pain.

But it is because I am 63 that I fail to heed the signs and wallow right through the mess.

Our weather has been stinky. Translated: lousy for riding a bike outside. I have already taken my bike off the inside trainer and unless a freak snow storm hits and lasts for weeks, I have no intention of putting my bike back on the trainer. So…I have taken up another way to whip my body (I wish into shape) but instead just to whip it. I have made more trips to the Y than I normally do this time of the year. Therein lies the problem. Forgetting I am 63 I go to the Y and subject myself to pain and agony with weights. When I go I tell myself to “take it easy” but when I am done it is like, “That was easy? What did you just do?”

So…over the past couple of weeks I have taken my body to extremes.  Incline bench presses. Upward leg presses (knees don’t allow squats). Dumbbell work. Cable work. Hanging leg lifts (I’m still searching for that 6-pack). 🙂 Then yesterday, I rode 16 miles for the first time in over 2 weeks.

Today? I’m not sure I have legs that will function or will even get me out of my chair. So I took it easy today, even though Jo told me I could ride. (What a wife! She says I could ride on MD!) I chose not to. You see, muscles need time to heal.

Muscle growth comes from stretching the limits, breaking them down, then allowing them to heal. Sort of like the Christ-follower. All growth comes from the struggles. Growth doesn’t come when it is easy; it comes when it hurts. Growth doesn’t come on the mountaintop; it comes in the valley and in the desert. I may not like it. I may not want it. But it is essential. Don’t begrudge the growth opportunities.

 

18 Comments so far ↓

  1. Ceil says:

    Hi Bill! Happy Mother’s Day to Jo!
    I hear you about the stinky weather. At least today was just beautiful, and I was able to get out to do some ‘mom time’. I shopped and then visited my mom’s gravesite.

    But I have a sore back, and I’m not quite up to walking again. So I hear you about the pain and the healing and then the growth. That’s what I hold on to, as I take Advil and take it a bit easier. We’ll get there Bill. In days to come, we’ll be the warriors.
    In the meantime, allow that healing, and slow it down.
    Blessings!
    Ceil

    • cycleguy says:

      Thanks Ceil! I think she had a good MD. our oldest gave her a Shell gift card for gas so she is flying high. 🙂 This Friday we pick up the grill she has been wanting for a couple of months. She loves to grill outside and ours is on its last leg. Despite what most books say, Jo loves those kinds of gifts. its ok by me since she is not a jewelry or makeup or clothes type of person. I will indulge. 🙂 Hope you had a nice MD. And on that healing…I’m hoping tomorrow will be have allowed enough time. Just hope your back issue straightens out.

  2. You have to switch it up some, right?

  3. Rodney Olsen says:

    Now I feel guilty that I haven’t been on my bike for a little while. 🙂

    A great reminder that there is a time for going hard but only if we take time out to rest. God has given us great capacity in many areas of life but he has also created us to need times to rest and recovery.

    I hope your muscles heal quickly and that you’re able to get out and ride again soon.

    • cycleguy says:

      Don’t feel guilty. This was the first time in a couple of weeks I was able to get out. it is Monday morning and so far my muscles feel a lot better after the full day off yesterday of doing no exercise at all. hope you can get back out on your bike soon Rodney.

  4. Pam says:

    Good advice, Bill–physically and spiritually!

  5. Betty Draper says:

    I have to be careful around my 35 year old crossfit couch son. He thinks it is for EVERYONE. Mom, he says, we can modify your workout, I say, Jared if I modify what I do anymore I will be stretched out on the couch all day. He just does not get it but I did not at 35 either when my body was strong and could heal quickly. I think it’s great you bike at 63 brother and I think it wise to take more time to heal up from it too. I tell women who have been hurt from life pain, it won’t go away over night but little by little using your spiritual muscles found in the Word spiritual muscles you will wake up it will be a memory that will not hurt anymore. Healing is a process and one God uses to grow us. Good post

    • cycleguy says:

      One of the most important things, Betty, is not giving up at a certain age. You are proof of that mindset. Keep it up!

  6. Linda Stoll says:

    Oh I know, I know.

    Take 2 Aleve and call me in the morning …

    Sigh.

  7. Ouch! I feel your pain, Bill!
    But you have given us all such sound advice when it comes to both physical and spiritual workouts. The changes come with the struggles, and we need to realize when to simply rest in the arms of the Father.
    Blessings!

  8. Sharon says:

    OK, Bill, you know that I am commiserating with the sore body stuff right now! Good for you, though, for working out so diligently. I admire that. Me? I pulled a weekend warrior sort of thing and that’s how I ended up falling off my bike (and yes, hubby and I wore helmets – maybe a *little* bit wiser at 62??)

    I like the correlation you made to the spiritual journey. Growing pains also happen on our way to maturing in Christ. Usually the biggest growth happens in times of trial and struggle. It just seems to be the way of faith.

    I also like how you stressed the importance of rest. That also is part of the walk of faith – learning when God is calling us to rest and wait on Him.

    GOD BLESS!

    • cycleguy says:

      As you know, I know of your accident. Glad to hear you wore helmets. Glad the lessons were heard loud & clear.

  9. cycleguy says:

    From a friend, Pearline Howald: Really needed to hear that just know. Sitting at MD Anderson Cancer Clinic waiting on David. Reviewing in my mind what all has happened. Then I read this. Thanks for the reminder the road will not be easy