The off-season was not kind

The first time I visited U District it was to take a ski conditioning class. I loved the pain (and the healthy endorphin rush) so much I convinced a few friends to join me for a couple more rounds of classes and we pretty much decided there’s no better way to get your tired butt back into shape in no time flat.

Then, a few years ago I got in a car accident, a bad one, and was out of commission for a while. When I was ready to not feel like a creaky old lady anymore, I went to U District for some repair work (they’re a full meal deal – from rehab to performance training). Took six solid months but they got me back into fighting shape and I was able to get into some distance running and cycling and stuff, and, as is my habit in all things recreational, I overdid it. I spent what I like to refer to as “the off-season” (otherwise known as the season of no races and way too many parties – between October and January) suffering with a gimpy knee, a busted hip and a way-out-of-whack shoulder. Running hurt, so I ate and drank instead. Some days my shoulder hurt too bad to get out of bed, so I popped pills (legally prescribed by my doc, so don’t freak out) instead. I was, in more ways than one, in bad shape.

This morning I woke up and decided enough was enough and I called U District. Turns out they think they can fix me – again. I’ll let you know how it goes. But until then, take another look at that photo up there …  it illustrates the reason I keep coming back: No matter how bad it hurts they always make me smile (while reminding in subtle ways to align my shoulders and hips, plant my feet firmly and engage my core).