Page 34 - Muscle & Fitness (December 2019)

A S C By Jeff Tomko

RIDIN’ COWBOY MORE

Follow Smith
NFL Hall of Fame EMMITT
on Instagram
running back @emittsmith22.

EMMITT SMITH
is pedaling his way

to a fitter 50.

FL legend Emmitt Smith
may have lost some of
his competitive edge
the day he hung up his
N cleats in 2005. But by
no means has the Hall of
Fame running back given up
on challenging himself
physically at age 50.
These days, however, instead
of using his feet for getting into
the end zone, which he did
175 times during his 15-year
career, the NFL’s all-time lead-
ing rusher is now pedaling
more or less on cruise control,
thanks to a workout regimen
based on long-distance—and
relaxing—cycling rides.
“I’ve had my competition help alleviate some of the
mode,” Smith says. “I’m soreness and take out some
done with all that. I find self- of the lactic acid and all the
satisfaction just being able to soreness that was actually in

get on my bike and ride.” your body.”
Several times a week during says. “I want to see if I can do it. Back in his football days, it
the early morning hours, I’m trying to get to that place, was anything from massage
Smith can be found tearing but for the most part I’m just therapy, hot tubs, and cold
through—or just casually cruis- riding to stay healthy.” tubs to regular chiropractor
ing—his Dallas neighborhood Along with the personal visits to stay game-ready. Now
anywhere from 45 to 60 miles. and team accolades—Smith it’s long-distance pedaling
“One time I woke up at, like, rushed for 18,355 yards and that’s become his therapy,
3 a.m., so I just jumped on my won three Super Bowl rings although Smith says he’ll be
bike, and I rode for, like, three with the legendary Dallas adding more to his workout
hours,” he says. “I put my Cowboys teams of the ’90s— routine, such as weightlifting. M I K E F I A L A /A P/ S H U T T E R S T O C K ; T O N Y G U T I E R R E Z /A P/ S H U T T E R S T O C K
helmet on, I put my lights on he has also suffered multiple But for now, the Lone Star
my bike, and I’ll ride until the broken bones, knee injuries, icon and his two-wheeler have
sun comes up.” and shoulder surgeries over taken to the streets with very
There is one challenge, the span of his career. little commotion, and that’s all
however, that’s keeping “Playing football was like right by him.
Smith’s adrenaline running at being in a car accident every “No one’s said anything to
top speed: He hopes to hit a week,” Smith says. “Your me yet,” Smith says. “They
triple-digit mileage mark. body was going to be sore, probably wouldn’t expect to

“The goal is 100 miles,” he and [you’re] doing things to see me out that early.”

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