This morning I am spending time watching gear for Team Lipstick as they execute their final brick workout before their target race June 19. As I am a mere 2 weeks out of surgery and really WANT to ride my bike but can’t just yet, I am being moral support and spending time with the dog. He doesn’t often get to just be out for hours at a time so this is somewhat luxurious for both of us.
Happy dog; ball, grass, bikes and outside!
Because I like to be an over achiever in every way, my rehab and recovery is no exception. Five days post surgery, I went back to my Ortho who marveled at my range of motion and my nearly full extension of my leg. Ten days after surgery, I paid a visit to my PT, Sonja Evers from Sports + Spinal Physical Therapy who was recommended by a friend. After meeting her prior to surgery (I’m a planner in all ways possible) it’s amazing that we haven’t crossed paths before. We have a lot of people in common and she lives on the Hill; it’s a small community. Anyway, better to have made her acquaintance now than never. Sonja was convinced that I hadn’t had surgery because she said when I walked in I didn’t look like I was only 10 days out of surgery. The tough part now is to strike a balance between over doing my recovery and not doing enough.
[man, I had a whole running thought process that I put here but it was eaten by the goblins in WordPress]
When I last had this surgery, in 2004 in my left knee, I granted myself permission to lay low for a week, and ease back into rehab 3x per week for 3 months. I am already past where I was the last time by weeks. This might have something to do with the fact that I (a) had surgery 3 months after the trauma, not 10 years, and (b) my right leg has been the stronger, more dominant leg for a long time. I was also very prepared for this surgery, doing what I could to strengthen the quad and hamstring prior to surgery.
One other reason I’m impatient is my overactive husband who while I’ve been recovering has run, biked, swam circles around me making me feel even more lazy than usual. He just this morning rode 90 miles in preparation for a ride (not a race, mind you) that will take him over 16k feet of elevation in Western Maryland in a few weeks. He swam 3 miles last weekend and biked home, 20 miles. Rode on Friday 70 miles with loads of elevation. He’s in training mode while I am in rehab mode…it’s frustrating to say the least.
Another reason it’s frustrating is that this year I am more attached than usual to biking since just prior to surgery I was riding to work at least 4x per week and we were using our bikes for predominant mode of evening transport as it’s cheaper and more fun than any other mode. So easy to take one bike down, strap on a back pack, some lights and a lock and head out for an adventure to the SW Waterfront, the Nats game, or just dinner on the other side of the Hill. Because of my quick recovery, he expects that I’ll be back on the bike in no time…I can bike but not at the effort or ability I was 3 weeks ago. It will take time to regain my full range of motion and my strength to be able to ride the fixie when and wherever I want.
I have loads of projects I need to be focusing my effort, including but not limited to: redoing my resume and shopping it to find a new job that doesn’t give me hives (I broke out in really amazing hives the same day I went back to work; coincidence? I think not), working on planning and recruitment for the Luray Triathlon and building my business Double X Endurance, and getting back to my duties as Secretary for the USA Triathlon Mid-Atlantic , and finishing the exterior doors since the frames still need to be painted.
I need to map out my Summer because it’s already packed and it’s only the first week of June. Aiming to do a reprieve of the Aqua Velo at Chesapeake Man and maybe place 1st in my age group vs 2nd, 2.4 miles swimming, 112 miles biking. Got a lot of work to do.
