Road Rash Chronicles

Since I began inline skating, I can't recall a time where I skated a long distance that would be somewhat similar to a half marathon.  Maybe while I was in TO and did that path with Michael Cole but I am not entirely sure what that distance was there and back. 

Either way, today, Greg and I ditched indoor practice and decided to focus on distance training in preparation from Montreal in a couple of weeks.  I did my first half marathon distance officially.  Greg and I jumped onto the parkway at the War museum and after a few warm up laps on the oval, we hit the trail and skated all the way to the Boat Club and back.  I didn't race it mind you, that would have been impossible and would have had me collapsing in pain a quarter of the way through.  On the journey, I had to stop or slow down about 5 times to stretch out my back as it is continuing to cause problems.  Twice I was relatively okay, but there were 2 times when I seized and could barely stand up.  I have a feeling I should be giving my doctor friend a call.  Argh. 

I score the paths about a 8 out of 10 today.  For the most part they are free of debris but from time to time you have to watch out for thick twigs and such.  Leftovers from the snow for sure.  But there are no rocks or gravel to be seen.  And that reminds me....since everyone and their dog is on the paths, I would strongly suggest that each person carry a whistle or noisemaker with them.  People are just not smart enough to know what you are doing.  It is almost as if they don't know how to react to inline skaters.  Bikes...fine...inliners and they go stupid.  So be warned and be careful.

And one last piece of good news.  I finally figured out what was wrong with the alignment of my skates.  Greg had pointed out that I was pronating on my left side pretty badly.  I had already heard that from Ray this past week...plus the fact that I could feel it too.  Upon early inspection (weeks ago), I had moved the frame as far in as possible but it didn't help.  I figured it was a design flaw of the skate and was ready to take a drill to the base to widen the slot.  Today however, Greg took my frame and inspected it.  We discovered that there was a "plastic material" build up in the track of where the bolt goes.  In other words, this material was preventing the bolt sliding fully over to the inside.  Digging this crap out with my car keys and a skate tool allowed me to move the frame properly to the inside.  Yah!  Hopefully this will make a difference....hopefully with my back too!  Such a small discovery can bring so much joy. 

I am hoping to get that distance in a few times a week before heading to Montreal. I figure with more distance under my belt, the more prepared I will be.  That logic is sound right?