Cycling

This Sunday, I attempted my first bike ride since the accident.  Actually, this week I've been easing back into training and it's amazing how my fitness is completely gone.  I couldn't even finish my track workout because my lungs were on fire!  That's the problem when my mind remembers what I could do, but my body hasn't caught up, yet.  This Sunday, the "JV group" cutoff and did the South Lake WA loop, while the rest of us did the 55 mile loop around Lake WA.

I've found that the rule of thumb is that after an extended time off, it takes two weeks of painful lung-gasping, muscle-burning, and waking up sore before things start falling back into place.  I think this is why New Years Resolutions usually don't stick.  Commitment and hard work fade without the faith that it's attainable in the present time.  It's the belief that "it will get better" that helps you give you the strength to stick with the training, and eventually break through.  Sometimes starting up again can hurt so badly that we can rationalize that our bodies just aren't meant to do it.  I remember when I first started running six years ago.  I was extremely out of shape from working long hours and not having an active hobby.  I read an article in Shape Magazine that said that you can go from walking to running in four weeks if you follow their plan.  No, I couldn't even imagine me as a runner, but I wanted the results I could achieve by running.  Just like a good scientist, I followed the plan exactly to prove that they were wrong.  I could barely run one lap (1/4 mile) around the track without feeling like I was going to have a heart attack.  I didn't outsmart the plan, I just did the walk/run intervals five days per week like they said.  I started with five 2 minute runs, interlaced with walking for a total of 50 minutes per workout.  The second week I had 4 minute run intervals.  The third, 5 minute; the fourth; 7 minute.  At the end of this I ran around the inside track of Greenlake (2.8 miles) without stopping.  Later that fall I ran my first 1/2 marathon.  I got stronger, fitter, and was able to complete another five full marathons.  So yes, with commitment and the desire to become fit, I was able to go from gasping at 1/4 mile to running 26.2 miles.

Yes, even though I didn't believe that I could do it six years ago, I was coachable and I learned that I can run.  Really, I had no exerperience running, it was silly for me to doubt the expertise of credible running coaches.  Now, I have the advantage...I already know that I can run, and each workout gets me closer to enjoying playing outside again.  I don't have to wonder if my commitment to hard work will be wasted.  I also have support around me to help me determine the difference between backing off/cutting short a workout because of 1) reluctance or 2) real physical damage.  Is it really that simple?  Do we just have to ask ourselves "how badly do you really want change," then roll up our sleeves?

Before reading on, please note that I'm going to go over the graphic details of my cycling injury.  If you get light headed when hearing about gore, injuries and surgeries, please skip this entry and wait for a normal one.

Okay, I totally feel like Rocky Balboa today.  I went in to see the Dr. and get my stiches removed.  She had to cut away all the dead tissue on my leg.  She'd pick up each small piece with a tweezer and ask if I could feel it.  If my answer was "no," then she cut the section out.  We continued that process until we reached the parts that hurt (that means they're still alive!).  The bad side of this is that the site really bleeds and it takes up to 10 minutes to stop the bleeding.  Fortunately, after "being cut" today, she used liquid silver to stop the bleeding.  (Thus the Rocky reference)  Then I found out that I have to stuff the "crater" with saline-soaked gauze.  No more non-stick bandages for me either.  We actually want the flesh to stick to the gauze and that will remove more small bits of dead tissue.  Are you still glad you ignored the disclaimer and chose to read this?

Of course, after asking about the wound care regimen, I had to ask when I can start exercising.  She laughed.  She basically said it depends on my goals.

1. If my goal is to heal as quickly as possible, I should wait two weeks.
2. If I need to do a big race, I can do it.  However, it will strain and tear the area.  This will make the healing process longer and messy.

This is where I have to weigh the risk of shortening my rest vs. focusing on my training.  I quickly emailed my running/cycling partners with my new, revised interim training plan.  I'll slowly start with upper body resistance training.  Then short walks to test my knee.  And then running.  Afterwards cycling.  Finally lower body resistance training.  I wasn't thrilled that I probably won't be able to bend my knee fully for another month...that'll make cycling difficult.  I'm getting concerned about my fitness level for STP, which is in two months.  I know I can do it.  Good training just makes the whole experience less painful.

As for training...10 days is basically 2 weeks, right?  The Dr. said I can exercise again when I can cover my wound with a regular bandaid.  Believe me, I'm taking my vitamins, staying seated when I'm working, minimizing my movement, performing wound care, and drinking a lot of water.  I'm just trying to put the odds of healing quickly on my side. :/

Yes, I am posting more photos at the request of my sick friends.  I'm supposed to be resting and keeping my leg elevated.  Of course, this means that I'm restricted to working on my computer, reading and making phone calls.  I've also been minimizing driving since it's pretty painful to move and I'm sure it's not safe to drive with restricted mobility.  I wouldn't forgive myself if I hurt someone because my braking response was slow.

So, I guess this is a "non-entry."  I haven't done anything exciting.  I was quiet and dull at Kristen's birthday BBQ.  On the bright side, I've been focusing on reading articles, continuing education, and some admin work that I save for when I have downtime.  I'm doing everything I can to heal quickly and this is making me realize how much training is part of who I am.

Right now I'm sitting in bed, trying to follow my Dr.'s orders to rest.  I have bronchitis and I fell off my bike yesterday during my ride with Mel.  I'm a horrible invalid, so trying to stay immobile is killing me!  Yes, I am a mess right now.  I tried to ask when I can go running/biking again and the Dr. wouldn't give me an answer.  He just wanted me to take it easy right now and not worry about training.  And here's the twisted thing, when I was in the ER, here were my thoughts:

1. What will I need to do to minimize the scar?
2. I'm so glad that I got a half marathon in before getting hurt.
3. Oh, I guess that 62 mile Skagit Spring Classic ride this Saturday isn't going to happen for me.
4. Thank goodness it's just the beginning of fall marathon training.
5. Don't worry, Bill, I can still run and train for the Hood-to-Coast relay this August.  I won't ruin our team's time for the 197 mile run from Mt. Hood to Seaside.
6. Ouch!
7. Yes, I need anesthetic before you clean the wounds.  I don't need extra credit for toughness.
8. Cool, both the Dr. and nurse both bike, so they don't think I'm crazy.
9. Wow, that stings.
10. Great, this is the same knee that I hurt before the Chicago Marathon.
11. I really feel nausious and the nurse just asked if I was going to fall off the gurney since I've turned green.
12. The Dr. looks pretty concerned...it's not good when an ER Dr. thinks it's bad.  It's only a flesh wound, right?
13. I'm so glad that I was carrying alcohol wipes and bandages in my saddle bag.
14. Are you sure I can't bike this weekend?  Oh, skin tearing would be bad.  Fine.
15. 13 stitches, seriously, I thought it wasn't that bad.

So, what happened?  Mel and I were just going for an easy 20 mile ride to get more saddle time before STP.  It was a beautiful day.  In the middle of the ride, I was going from the road to the trail and hit the curb at a very narrow angle.  That's when I knew I was going down and there was nothing I could do about it.  I also forogt my gloves, the palms of my hands are a little scraped.  The brunt of the fall was on my right knee and shin.  I tore through my sleeves and scraped up my right elbow.  Thank goodness I had a minimal first aid kit in my saddle bag.  Mel helped me bandage up.  A lot of cars passed and stared at me, but none stopped.  I thought it was funny that a cyclist asked if we needed help, but no one with a car did.  It was pretty obvious I was hurt and bloody.

So Mel offered to ride back and pick me up with her car.  Since we were 10 miles away from the car, it didn't seem like that was a good idea.  I'd freeze, sitting in my bike shorts and torn arm sleeves.  Plus, the "you're tough" comment gave me enough strength to get back on the bike.  It was actually good to get over my fear of the bike before I could think about it.  Plus, I felt tough with blood running down my leg.  We even cleaned up and decided to grab some dinner.  At the end, by leg was covered in blood (Mel has that photo and I'll insert it later).  I figured it wasn't normal to bleed for 6 hours, so I went directly to the ER.  I found out that the kind of deep wound I have where the skin is hanging need to be tended to within 3 hours.  Otherwise the lack of blood supply just kills the rest of the skin.  Ok, lesson learned.  I'm also I'm glad I went in because the nurse cleaned the wounds much better than I could.  It stung so much, that I couldn't get myself to scrub it well.  I actually had to have local antithetic before the clean.  Wow, that needle really hurt and it was a lot of pricks.  I'm really glad I opted for numbing because he really got in there.

 

So, some of you know that I have an undergraduate degree in Biology and I think surgeries are really interesting.  Well, I don't like seeing injuries on myself.  I guess I was green and the nurse was worried that I was going to fall off the gurney.  It was really grossing me out!  On a side note, I was at Overlake Hospital and I must say they were absolutely wonderful.  I got in right away.  They were very friendly and attentive.  My experiences in the past (yes, I have been to the ER before, unfortunately) are the reason why I decided to volunteer at the hospital.  Really, four hours per week is a very small part of my life and I'm helping a great non-profit hospital.  It looks like I won't be able to help escort and transports patients next week since my walking is hindered, though.  Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything silly like run a race this weeked.  I'm going to follow the Dr's orders.

Well, this made me thankful that I'm a planner at heart and I was fairly prepared.  I was wearing a helmet; I wasn't riding too fast or doing any tricks; my bike is tuned up; I carried alcohol wipes/bandages; I had a cell phone to call for help; I was in a non-isolated area; I was biking with a friend; I have medical insurance; and I went to see the Dr. when things didn't seem right.  Safety first.

Now I'm off to see the plastic surgeon.

Now that the Eugene race is over, my primary training is shifting over to cycling.  Well, I guess that's not entirely true since I'm spending more days running than cycling.  Let's just say that my fall marathon training is adjusting around my need to train for STP (Seattle to Portland in July, which is a 204 mile bike ride).  At least, I'm just doing the two-day ride instead of the insane training for the one-day ride.   I have to admit that I'm getting scared.  Cycling is a new world for me and I just don't know what to expect on a 200 mile bike ride; especially since my furthest ride was only 60 miles this Spring (actually that's my furthest ever).  So, the best way for me to tackle this fear is to dive right into training and hope for the best.  This time, it was the "JV Team," so was a liesurely 40 mile ride and lunch at the Redhook Brewery. 

Thanks, Jim, for forwarding these...