I am amazed at what I am learning as my nephew cycles across the country to raise awareness for prostate cancer. He is raising my awareness for more than prostate cancer. Researching where he is and what he might be experiencing has led me to all sorts of sidelights, like the discovery that cycling can become an addiction.

Cycling is exercise. Isn't exercise always a good thing?

Richard Benyo, writing on the subject of exercise addiction for the Road Runners Club of America, says that there is a negative side to exercise that gradually, insidiously, can take over the positive.

"In an ironic way, nature balances the situation when the thing obsessed turns on and bites the obsessor," he writes.

"Intense, high-achieving perfectionist individuals are particularly vulnerable to this addiction," says psychologist Sharon Stoliaroff, Ph.D.

Stoliaroff has developed a self-administered test to help cyclists determine whether they are addicted or not...

Rate yourself as honestly as you can below with the following checklist:

• I have missed important social obligations and family events in order to exercise.
• I have given up other interests, including time with friends, in order to make more time to work out.
• Missing a workout makes me irritable and depressed.
• I only feel content when I am exercising or within the hour after exercising.
• I like exercise better than sex, good food, or a movie -- in fact there's almost nothing I'd rather do.
• I work out even if I'm sick, injured, or exhausted. I'll feel better when I get moving anyway.
• In addition to my regular schedule, I'll exercise more if I find extra time.
• Family and friends have told me I'm too involved in exercise.
• I have a history (or a family history) of anxiety or depression.

If you have checked three or more of these items, you may be losing your perspective on running and working out.

I lay in bed this morning gazing out the window. The bright sun shining down on the leaves across the yard bring thoughts of missfortune. I slowly move my leg back and forth as I experience a dull pain on the medial side of my right calve. Cycling did not seem wise but the thought of putting off my departure for one more day made my stomach tie into a knot. Shortly thereafter my mother called wondering how my knee was doing. After explaining the situation to her she reaffirmed that she did not think it wise to continue to strain it for fear of permanent damage. The ever-wise lady suggested that I stay in Tigard and get some therapy performed on it while I still had a comfortable place to stay.

Taking her advice I began researching my options for Therapy. Since PTs and OTs generally don't work on Saturdays, I opted for a deep tissue massage and boy was it deep! I was in some major pain during the massage and it is very tender post-massage! I have high hopes that it progressively feels better all the way up to tomorrow morning. In the mean time I must go and ice my wounds to promote a speedy recovery!