Cooldown Count

The steep aluminum ramp from this afternoon left a solid, burning hum in my calves all the way back to the apartment. Sliding under the front door threshold, I skipped the usual perimeter check and marched straight to the quiet living room corner. I unhooked my championship strap, laying the studded leather flat across a clean linen mat. Dropping flat onto my back against the cool hardwood floorboards, I kicked both heavy boots straight up into the air, bracing my heels firmly against the flat face of a heavy brass bookend by the baseboard. With my legs elevated and arms crossed over my chest, I let the gravity work the stiffness out. Pure, disciplined recovery.