Well, for a moment, there was hope. My doctor thought my knee(s) have just suffered from over use. He prescribed rest and a therapeutic dose of Ibuprophen. I rested and I popped pills like crazy. I went to physical therapy and accupuncture. But it didn't get enough better. Even just walking can produce a sharp pain.
So STP left without me yesterday. Sad.
I'm not sorry I tried, and I'm not sorry I went through the fundraising process. Reaching out to everyone I know and receiving such a heartfelt response was an amazing experience. And numerous people I know have been diagnosed or lost their battle with all kinds of cancer in these few months. It has been wonderful to feel like I was doing something to help.
But it's not what I wanted. And I'm not sure where to go from here. I'll keep you posted...
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Coming to Terms
So the knee outlook isn't good. After a week of rest, it is barely any better on a short test ride.
I'm not sure what to do. I wasn't expecting this. And it's not at all what I wanted. I have a special appointment for a Physical Therapist to do a bike fit and give me some advice. But I'm not sure what to think. The gnawing fear that STP might not happen for me is starting to become familiar, and might just be true.
Stupid knee. The rest of me is so willing and ready.
We'll see.
I'm not sure what to do. I wasn't expecting this. And it's not at all what I wanted. I have a special appointment for a Physical Therapist to do a bike fit and give me some advice. But I'm not sure what to think. The gnawing fear that STP might not happen for me is starting to become familiar, and might just be true.
Stupid knee. The rest of me is so willing and ready.
We'll see.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
The Hitch in My Get-Along
Finally, a great ride! 75 miles. Perfect 70 degree sunny weather. Pushing hard but feeling good. Working the momentum; cruising up the hills. Staying hydrated and fed along the way. Maybe I can do this after all. Maybe it will be as fun as I hoped. The french fries must be working! (Did I tell you about the new secret to my success? Seriously, Trader Joe's frozen fries for breakfast before a big ride. Seriously. Major carbohydrates.)
But in the last few miles my knee started complaining. And loudly. Ouch.
The next day, carried by the excitement I got out on my bike for a short follow-up ride (gotta finally start getting used to two days in a row). But the constant stabbing knee pain was still there, and I had to turn around. Grrr.
So I tried walking around Greenlake with a friend to at least move a little, but a vague muscle ache in my hip that I woke up with got steadily worse until I was limping around the last part of the lake. My friend noticed and told me I had a "hitch in my get-along", a phrase I found so charming that it was almost worth the pain and frustration.
But really?! Where did that come from? Can't I catch a break at some point?! And now the opposite calf is painfully tight, I think because of favoring that side. I finally do what I supposed to do and get myself where I'm supposed to be, and I am falling apart! How is that karmically fair?
Urrg.
But in the last few miles my knee started complaining. And loudly. Ouch.
The next day, carried by the excitement I got out on my bike for a short follow-up ride (gotta finally start getting used to two days in a row). But the constant stabbing knee pain was still there, and I had to turn around. Grrr.
So I tried walking around Greenlake with a friend to at least move a little, but a vague muscle ache in my hip that I woke up with got steadily worse until I was limping around the last part of the lake. My friend noticed and told me I had a "hitch in my get-along", a phrase I found so charming that it was almost worth the pain and frustration.
But really?! Where did that come from? Can't I catch a break at some point?! And now the opposite calf is painfully tight, I think because of favoring that side. I finally do what I supposed to do and get myself where I'm supposed to be, and I am falling apart! How is that karmically fair?
Urrg.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Too Darn Hot
New Rule: 92 degrees is too hot for a bike ride.
We did an amazing Monroe - Lake Stevens - Arlington - Granite Falls ride on Saturday. I knew it was going to be hot, but the weather reports were saying upper 70s for that area. So I headed out with the "see how far I get" attitude, knowing that Saggy Bill could rescue me if necessary. Turns out it was a good thing I was able to take care of myself because Bill and his able assistant Erin were plenty busy with the 4-5 people who did need to be extracted from the course. Yikes.
Just to give you a little background info... I am personally NOT good in any kind of heat. I am from rainy Seattle and start to get really uncomfortable and not able to function somewhere around 81 degrees. But I made it! (Although we took a short-cut and only did 73 miles instead of the whole 80 as it seemed like people were dropping like flies.) The key was drinking lots and lots of water! And some with a good dose of electrolyte powder in it. I put my mind to it and drank, drank, drank all along the way - which I am normally not good at. At least twice I started to get signs of the dreaded dehydration headache, but I listened to it as a warning and drank lots more. It's amazing what our bodies can do, even under adverse circumstances. Especially when we know how to listen to them and take care of them.
Yes, we did it and we are proud to have perservered and conquered. But how about something in between freezing wet and roasting? Spring - ever heard of it?! Now would be a good time for those 70 degree sunny Saturday rides I was counting on. (On the bright side it appears I've officially broken the rain curse...)
We did an amazing Monroe - Lake Stevens - Arlington - Granite Falls ride on Saturday. I knew it was going to be hot, but the weather reports were saying upper 70s for that area. So I headed out with the "see how far I get" attitude, knowing that Saggy Bill could rescue me if necessary. Turns out it was a good thing I was able to take care of myself because Bill and his able assistant Erin were plenty busy with the 4-5 people who did need to be extracted from the course. Yikes.
Just to give you a little background info... I am personally NOT good in any kind of heat. I am from rainy Seattle and start to get really uncomfortable and not able to function somewhere around 81 degrees. But I made it! (Although we took a short-cut and only did 73 miles instead of the whole 80 as it seemed like people were dropping like flies.) The key was drinking lots and lots of water! And some with a good dose of electrolyte powder in it. I put my mind to it and drank, drank, drank all along the way - which I am normally not good at. At least twice I started to get signs of the dreaded dehydration headache, but I listened to it as a warning and drank lots more. It's amazing what our bodies can do, even under adverse circumstances. Especially when we know how to listen to them and take care of them.
Yes, we did it and we are proud to have perservered and conquered. But how about something in between freezing wet and roasting? Spring - ever heard of it?! Now would be a good time for those 70 degree sunny Saturday rides I was counting on. (On the bright side it appears I've officially broken the rain curse...)
Monday, May 5, 2008
I Heart the Slow Group
I finally made it on another big weekend ride! Between volleyball games, being sick, and awful knee pain, it had been at least a month since I had been with the group. Now volleyball is finally over (we made it to the league semi-finals!), and I have actually be doing my physical therapy and finally able to ride 40ish miles at a time pain free on my own - so I thought it was time to jump back in with the group.
But I was scared to go back. I was not really confident in my reasons for not following the training plan as perfectly as I think I'm supposed to. I've didn't think our volleyball season would last so long (I've never coached such a winning team). And I have been really frustrated and humbled by my recent pains and injuries. In the past, I have had to learn to deal with physical pain during both chronic and isolated injuries. But recently my body hasn't recovered like it used to. So I don't know what to do and waste a lot of time wishing reality was different. I'm used to being pleasantly surprised by what my body can accomplish. I'm not sure how to deal with new limitations and not sure when to give up. (I was genuinely worried that I would have to send out a "sorry, just kidding - but thanks for your money anyway" notice.)
But I remembered I could ask for help (which then meant I didn't feel like I needed to). And I mentally repeated words of wisdom from you all like "just do your physical therapy religiously".
And I decided to ride with a slower training group. Apparently I've been pushing my knees too hard - my average rpms need to be higher. I've gradually come around to realize that despite my apparent need to prove something through imaginary competition, I don't have to prove anything if I don't want to. Really, this is all probably enough exercise without pushing myself all that much along the way. I needed to realign my internal compass. My real goal is to fulfill that dream of completing STP and feel connected to being part of a collective good - or as my college roommate said "connect to our humanity".
And the funny thing? I love the slow group. I felt more connected and had more fun with the people this week than I had in all the other weeks of flying at maximum speed. We had great conversation while we rode, laughed a lot, and stopped for pie! Yes, it may have been the pie that won me over.
We did 60 miles from Marymoor Park to Snohomish to Monroe to Ames Lake to Marymoor Park. Well, it was 60 because we accidentally took the long way (aka got lost). FYI: realizing the you are lost after riding 50 miles - 1/2 of which was in the rain - is not a great feeling. But we dug deep, figured it out, and made it. It took like 6 hours (including that pie stop and a few others), but we made it! And I have the sore muscles to remind me of my accomplishment all day long...
But I was scared to go back. I was not really confident in my reasons for not following the training plan as perfectly as I think I'm supposed to. I've didn't think our volleyball season would last so long (I've never coached such a winning team). And I have been really frustrated and humbled by my recent pains and injuries. In the past, I have had to learn to deal with physical pain during both chronic and isolated injuries. But recently my body hasn't recovered like it used to. So I don't know what to do and waste a lot of time wishing reality was different. I'm used to being pleasantly surprised by what my body can accomplish. I'm not sure how to deal with new limitations and not sure when to give up. (I was genuinely worried that I would have to send out a "sorry, just kidding - but thanks for your money anyway" notice.)
But I remembered I could ask for help (which then meant I didn't feel like I needed to). And I mentally repeated words of wisdom from you all like "just do your physical therapy religiously".
And I decided to ride with a slower training group. Apparently I've been pushing my knees too hard - my average rpms need to be higher. I've gradually come around to realize that despite my apparent need to prove something through imaginary competition, I don't have to prove anything if I don't want to. Really, this is all probably enough exercise without pushing myself all that much along the way. I needed to realign my internal compass. My real goal is to fulfill that dream of completing STP and feel connected to being part of a collective good - or as my college roommate said "connect to our humanity".
And the funny thing? I love the slow group. I felt more connected and had more fun with the people this week than I had in all the other weeks of flying at maximum speed. We had great conversation while we rode, laughed a lot, and stopped for pie! Yes, it may have been the pie that won me over.
We did 60 miles from Marymoor Park to Snohomish to Monroe to Ames Lake to Marymoor Park. Well, it was 60 because we accidentally took the long way (aka got lost). FYI: realizing the you are lost after riding 50 miles - 1/2 of which was in the rain - is not a great feeling. But we dug deep, figured it out, and made it. It took like 6 hours (including that pie stop and a few others), but we made it! And I have the sore muscles to remind me of my accomplishment all day long...
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Not a Fashion Show
I've been busy with 8th grade volleyball, so I haven't made it on the big exciting weekly ride for two weeks [gulp]. I've made it out on my own on the weekends, but not as far or as exciting. And my knee has hurt. So I'm feeling behind and a little worried. In the absence of exiting progress to share, how about a cycling fashion overview as promised long ago...
I remember when I was even resistant to wearing a helmet when riding across campus because the fashion risk was too high. Luckily I got over that. Hopefully I don't need to explain why I willingly sacrifice fashion and good hair for that one. I like to be alive.
Of course, we have to discuss the spandex. I'm sorry, but you just have to wear tight pants that stay out of the way of the chain. I learned that one when my chain ripped a hole in my favorite exercise pants. And despite the fact that it flatters only the most muscular of the population, spandex is a great material that moves with you and is comfortable wet or dry. And on any length of ride, you have to have bike shorts with the built-in chamois pad. Yes, it feels a little like a diaper at first, but really helps with comfort. (FYI, I'm not one of those women who could even try to pull off the skinny jean much less full spandex, so I have relatively tight pants that go over bike shorts which still leave a little to the imagination in cold weather.)
The bike jersey is tight because you don't want things flapping in the wind. And the pockets in the back are a fantastic idea. I, however, resit the standard short sleeve version because I don't want the tan lines, so I skip straight from long sleeves to tanks. I'm not sold on it having to be advertising something. As much as I can gather, it's just an announcement of hard core cycling. But it does look super cool when a whole pack of bikes wearing matching shirts goes by.
Florescent yellow? After all the horror stories about bikes being hit by cars, I'm going for every advantage of visibility that I can get.
Gloves help comfort in general and warmth when it's cold. And they are big for safety - which I learned back when I tried to hop over a railroad track on my old trail bike. The gloves absorb a lot of impact and can completely save your skin. That's why the (fingerless) gloves even when it's warm out.
Funny shoes that make you clomp and walk on your heals? I resisted these for a long time, but clipless petals and bike shoes with the rigid sole increase your power and efficiency astronomically. And I'll take any easy advantage I can get. I have mountain bike shoes that you can kind of walk in when you need to.
We have the rest of the day to look fabulous. Any questions?
I remember when I was even resistant to wearing a helmet when riding across campus because the fashion risk was too high. Luckily I got over that. Hopefully I don't need to explain why I willingly sacrifice fashion and good hair for that one. I like to be alive.
Of course, we have to discuss the spandex. I'm sorry, but you just have to wear tight pants that stay out of the way of the chain. I learned that one when my chain ripped a hole in my favorite exercise pants. And despite the fact that it flatters only the most muscular of the population, spandex is a great material that moves with you and is comfortable wet or dry. And on any length of ride, you have to have bike shorts with the built-in chamois pad. Yes, it feels a little like a diaper at first, but really helps with comfort. (FYI, I'm not one of those women who could even try to pull off the skinny jean much less full spandex, so I have relatively tight pants that go over bike shorts which still leave a little to the imagination in cold weather.)The bike jersey is tight because you don't want things flapping in the wind. And the pockets in the back are a fantastic idea. I, however, resit the standard short sleeve version because I don't want the tan lines, so I skip straight from long sleeves to tanks. I'm not sold on it having to be advertising something. As much as I can gather, it's just an announcement of hard core cycling. But it does look super cool when a whole pack of bikes wearing matching shirts goes by.
Florescent yellow? After all the horror stories about bikes being hit by cars, I'm going for every advantage of visibility that I can get.Gloves help comfort in general and warmth when it's cold. And they are big for safety - which I learned back when I tried to hop over a railroad track on my old trail bike. The gloves absorb a lot of impact and can completely save your skin. That's why the (fingerless) gloves even when it's warm out.
Funny shoes that make you clomp and walk on your heals? I resisted these for a long time, but clipless petals and bike shoes with the rigid sole increase your power and efficiency astronomically. And I'll take any easy advantage I can get. I have mountain bike shoes that you can kind of walk in when you need to.
We have the rest of the day to look fabulous. Any questions?
Saturday, March 29, 2008
When Inspiration is Needed
The weather finally cooperated last weekend. We had a beautiful ride through Fall City/Carnation farmland. Being out with the cows is my favorite! My toes were finally not numb, but my knee started really hurting. And not the regularly obstinate knee. Worrisome. When can I relax with the technical issues and focus on just complaining about my sore rear end like everyone else?!
Unfortunately, there seems to be a new policy among the weather gods that it needs to rain every other time Norma goes out for a ride. Seriously, even if it's clear all day, it starts dumping once I'm 10 miles out. I'm not sure what I've done, but I seem to have angered them.
Take a look at a great video by a school teacher, cancer survivor and TNT honor patient whose students created a Team in Training video. Great for if/when we need reminding about why we are doing this... http://www.fifeschools.com/media/shula/tntvideo08.html
Unfortunately, there seems to be a new policy among the weather gods that it needs to rain every other time Norma goes out for a ride. Seriously, even if it's clear all day, it starts dumping once I'm 10 miles out. I'm not sure what I've done, but I seem to have angered them.
Take a look at a great video by a school teacher, cancer survivor and TNT honor patient whose students created a Team in Training video. Great for if/when we need reminding about why we are doing this... http://www.fifeschools.com/media/shula/tntvideo08.html
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