My Spring Break

Triathlon Forum
1

This past Wednesday, I got to take off to take the family (wife, 8 yo son, 1 yo daughter) to Knott’s Berry Farm. Knott’s has turned into a miniature six-flags amusement park and we had to go on nearly all the thrill rides. The first one, Silver Bullet is a suspended coaster with 5 upside-down moments. That’s what they say. I really don’t know, I was quite green afterwards. I’m finding while approaching 50, I cannot handle the odd G forces these rides put you through as much as just a couple years ago.

My kids also made me ride Xcelerator. This sled shoots you to 85 mph in 2.3 seconds and then flings you up 175 feet and over a hump where you experience zero Gs and then straight back down. It took several minutes for my stomach to make it back down and catch up with me.

Next was Perilous Plunge - a water ride that essentially drops you over Niagara Falls. I believe it is the tallest and steepest water drop in the world. I don’t doubt that. It’s really quite fun, but the best part is at the bottom where water is used to brake the boat, creating a huge wave that envelopes everyone and completely drenches them.

Rode others and finished the day with Ghostrider. This is a huge wooden coaster. It’s very traditional, much like the Big Dipper in San Diego, only waaaay longer, steeper, faster, and bumpier. This ride knocks you about so much, your vision is impaired for many minutes afterwards.

Oh, and two rides I won’t ever do at Knott’s: Boomerang - did it once a year ago and had neck and back pain for a week. Riptide - never done it, but I watched those that did. I never saw one person get off that thing with a smile on their face. They looked like victims walking away from a train wreck.

Why is this here instead of the Lavender room? Here’s the association. The next day was a scheduled ride-the-bike-into-work day. I hadn’t recovered well from Knott’s and the bike ride was kind of scarry. I was all over the road. I almost fell down at a stoplight, putting my foot down, misjudging the distance to the ground. So here’s a hint… take a day off training after a day in the amusement park.

2

You probably have some lingering effects to your vestibular (inner ear) system that are still affecting your balance, i.e., giving you some slight vertigo. As a tactical aviator, I had the same issues sometimes after a flight with lots of violent manuevering in it. Also, you’ll note the same thing after being on a boat. A day later you still think you’re rockin’ and rollin’.

3

More likely than inner ear affect is old age affect, eh? Time getting near for bifocals/progressive lenses?

Just a little fun at your expense, seeing you finally approach the age apex. You know, I heard once that when you finally get over the hill, you begin to pick up speed…

Neil

4

Hey… watchit!

I’m actually getting younger. Just the other day after swim workout, I pushed hard off the wall and did a 36 sec 50 yd breastroke. That’s my H.S. freshman time. I figure in a couple of years, I’ll be down to my 11 or 12 yo time. See? I am getting younger!

5

So that means eventually you’ll be back at OCC for swim lessons again. I still remember my Mom dragging us kids there with us fighting it all the way. Then I met your brother and sister, who set an example of how much fun it could be. Changed my whole family’s direction in life.

6

And they claim those things do not do any harm to children?

On a more serious note:

I do not think vertigo or equilibrium problems a day after that are normal. Maybe you should get yourself checked by a medical professional. What you describe could be a hint for a lingering problem (Blood-pressure/Infection, etc) or even an inner ear injury.

At least do yourself a favor and don’t ride a bike as long as your symptoms persist…