Frustration

This post could also be titled: "Why you should cross train."

This may sounds hypocritical coming off of this post written a mere two or three days ago, but I have something I just feel the need to complain about:

My back has been in pain for several weeks.

I could bore you to death with details about how I've figured these things out, but I have discovered that

1. I have a mid-back sprain/strain that hurts like hell.
2. I have not been working my abs enough, and my lower back is out of wack because my core is weak.

Because of these things, I only rode a grand total of 8.5 miles last week.  I then proceeded to more or less rest, and focus on stretching and core exercises for the next five days.  Monday came around, my mid-back felt WORSE than it did on Friday.  What gives? I literally rested all weekend.  I feel like an addict due to all of the pills that I've been popping. 

On top of just the fact that I hurt all the time and I can't ride, I'm going to be heading out to California in a week and a half for the Sea Otter Classic.  I don't think I will ever get this sort of opportunity again, and I want to enjoy it the fullest!  I want to be able to hang out and not worry about back pain, and ride a new trail every day.  I definitely don't want to worry about looking like a wussy because of my screwed up back muscles. 

I have been doing everything I can to get better, but it doesn't feel like any of it is doing any good. All of this has me incredibly frustrated.  I know, I know.  In the grand scheme of things my "problems" don't really add up to a whole lot.  But right now where I am and from my point of view, it hurts and it's frustrating and depressing.  That's just the way it is.

By the way, in case you were wondering why there haven't been any awesome riding photos lately, this is why.