In 2024, at age 64, I made a commitment to myself to conclude my 30+ years of fairly regular mountain bike racing and Cross Country ski racing by completing what I have called the “Big 3” of races during my 65th year. The Peak2Peak, Iceman and Ore2Shore mountain bike races and the White Pine, Noquemenon and Vasa cross country ski marathons. With only the Noquemenon to finish my quest I suffered an upper right led nerve condition that caused me difficulty walking, at times excoriating pain, and likely inability to train for a ski marathon.
I came to Northern Michigan Sports Medicine and said to Jeff, “Jeff, I have only 3 weeks(!) left before the Noquemenon to prepare and need you to be my Personal Trainer (Savior!) to get me to the finish line.” After a laugh or 2, we began a regamine of stretching and strengthening. Between February’s super cold weather and the leg injury, things were not looking good! As this race had been canceled the previous “year”, thus postponing my “final” race, it was my final chance.
Jeff and his staff did it! I was not only able to finish the race (-17 degrees real temp at start), I finished 1st in my age group! As Jeff would attest, having raced the same day, it was pretty grueling to say the least. But my rehab regemine, recovery and SISU pushed me to victory!
Thank you again Northern Michigan Sports Medicine, Jeff Smith and his Staff for enabling me to finish off my 2 year long quest. I definitely couldn’t have done it without you!!
Scott Redman
