The open road

Fortunately no couples on tandems passed me climbing back to the bridge today.

Over the past few weeks I’ve been pool running, riding the rollers, pulling the erg (rowing) and at home PT exercises. On Memorial day Monday (after attending a wedding where Halley Berry was a brides maid, seriously) I went for my first road ride since February. I darted over the GBB and back. I was plenty nervous! Everything went well. So after a week of the above mentioned routine I ventured to the end of the bike path and back. Again perfection. I think tomorrow I’ll roll along Paradise and hopefully work on my tan. Next week will be a week of spin classes and the start of Spanish class too. Riding before work is really easy when you haven’t been able to ride for 3 months :)

BTW how great in NBC Universals Live Giro coverage. Over by 8am. Another great California time zone benefit.

I almost felt like a stranger riding around today. Seriously why do tri athletes ride around w/ old race numbers on their bikes? At least some things don’t change.

Back on the bici!

This morning my OS gave me the all clear for some easy riding. Granted I can't walk well I'm really excited to ride a little. So after work I road the rollers for 20 mins w/ 2 stops! Even in super easy gear I could really feel it my left leg with al the atrophy. Pretty crazy. Tomorrow, the rollers, core class, some laps and pool running.
The Giro looks great this year love him or hate him Armstrong is helping the sport big time. I love the Giro that was launching point after in 88 w/ the Olympics. I wish I kept my Winning and bicycle magazines from those days. Velonews didn't come until later.

Arthroscopic knee surgery

Day one post surgery! The evening prior I had to stop eating and drinking so by 3pm the next day I was super hungry and dehydrated. I was extremely happy to receive my IV. I think there is something with a live time of athletics and hydration (always top of mind).My surgeon and his crew where first class. Best yet I had no ill effects from the anesthesia. I prior to surgery and post I’ve been eating very clean, brow rice, protein shakes, probiotics, veggies, glutamine and lots of water. My leg is quite swollen and the incision point hurts. Frankly I am extremely happy to have this done. The surgery is the first miles stone and now it is on to PT and recovery.

PreSurgery

Well the game plan was to work like animal, strengthen the knee and make PT EASY. Of course two week ago I strain my trap and neck while swimming pretty much eliminating all activity! It was my own fault I was overdoing it swimming way to hard w/ my pull buoy and lift a few times. The good news I can almost walk normally and my neck/back pain is almost gone. Surgery is in 7 days so I'm taking it easy and planning the come of the year.

Training March 29- April 4th

Sun: Pool Kick board 15mins PT DVD
Mon: Rollers 10mins
Tuesday: Pool Aqua fit 45mins
(to hard on knee)
Wed: Rollers 15 mins PT DVD
Thurs: PT DVD - Pool KB 15mins Pool Run 30mins
Fri: OFF
Sat: Core class Pool run 60min

TOTAL: PT 3x, Pool 2:45 Ride: 2x 25minsT
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Swimming and at home rehab

I still can't walk normally and my left leg is super small. My swimming is coming along but I need more rhythm. I start way to fast then just fade. It is sort of like going into mini Navy SEAL hell week swim survivor mode but for only 20 minutes. I don’t think they’ll be recruiting me anytime soon. The short swims are a not nearly enough to maintain fitness. I also think I'm over doing it with the upper body lifting because I’m starting to put some weight on. High Class problem :) That aside I still need my leg healthily for my surgery and the ligaments still need to heal. I just received my BodyworksMD CD and I have “Heal Your Knees” form the SFPL.org.

Disclocate Knee

I dislocated my knee two weeks ago. My first MD has me sitting out two weeks to see how it heals. While the second a sports med guy with signed photos from athletes around the office (a win) has me going into surgery in a few weeks. I have a follow up with my first MD on Wednesday. I still can’t walk correctly and my leg has already started to atrophy. I have had issues with left knee before and both MDs have concluded there is a high chance of this happening again. My objective is simple my leg will be at 100% by the time my surgery rolls around.
The amazing thing (for me) I don’t consider my self one dimensional with fitness I lift 2x per week and take an aggressive core class 2x per week. That aside I’ve been swimming with a pull buoy and lifting a bit. However only having one good leg really limits the variety. Today I concluded my swimming with some light kicking. I have no pain in my knee after and I think this week I try a bit more. It is super hard just swim freestyle using one’s upper body.
The good news; I am ultra motivated to ride, I’ll be a more balanced athlete and I now have swimming a new cross training tool!

Dog Cat Rat Man

Dog Cat Rat Man having some Froyo!