10 years ago, I realized that I wasn't invincible anymore: I had a terrible crash on a training ride, which ended up with me getting the "mother of all concussions" that took a bunch of visits to an outpatient brain rehab center, tons of time off of work, and symptoms that lasted at least 16 months.  If you glanced at my helmet, you'd wonder how I even survived the impact with "just a concussion."  

The problem is, I just keep injuring myself.  I've had, in the last 15 months; broken ribs from a mountain biking mishap and a badly sprained ankle from a road run in the early morning gloaming, when a car ran me off the road and I hit a dark curb.  I hurt my left knee whilst trail running in 2022 and now it regularly pops on every pedal stroke. Add to this another ankle injury in a trail running incident a month ago, that is just now feeling 80% better. This wasn't just a run of the mill strain, but a level 3 blowout that kept me hobbling for weeks. The injury also put me off the bike for at least two weeks and I haven't been able to trail run in a month. This was supposed to be a huge part of my training program this year, so I've had to completely readjust, in the process buying a smart trainer. At least I can see my lowly FTP?

In a somewhat depressed state after my latest injury, I was thinking that maybe I should just call it a day and start playing pickleball. 

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What's the secret to staying injury free as a 50+ athlete? 

I don't think my desire to race criteriums helps in that category, but its a focus for the year. Staying safe in them is an iffy proposition. But I love them deeply, and life isn't worth not doing something you love. I'll try to keep the rubber side down. 

What I do think we all need, and what I've been focusing on again, is strength training and time in the gym.  My training plan also calls for doing long, Zone 2 rides in hard terrain, mixed with some difficult efforts in the hills. I almost did 70K on this past Sunday; it was a solo ride and exactly what I needed both for fitness and for my ankle recovery.  

I'm on target, kind of?   

My first race is a criterium in St. Louis in late March.  I just tested my FTP again and it's climbing, around 200.  My whole life has been about one thing in general, and that is perseverance and success is generally measured with not "flash in the pan" brilliance, but perseverance. 

Perseverance.