Like often is life and we all have a lot of responsibilities. I have many commitments that I have sign up for and one of them that is actually key to my recovery is the LLS TNT Tahoe program. (By the way, you can make a donation at the link to the right or even better yet, come on out and join our program). This past Saturday was the StageCoach Century a 100 miler east about 1 1/2 hours from San Diego. It's a great ride because it's an out and back with no stop signs and light traffic. You can turn around at any point and this time of year it was perfect. Cool, little overcast all day and no wind. Our Tahoe program has committed the last few years to help out with the first and last SAG which is located 10 miles from the starting point. In return we have a booth at the start line, get the word out about our program and the send us some funding.To tell you the truth it was the most rewarding thing I've done in a while. If you are a rider you should take one event and be a volunteer every once in a while. Believe me you will know what I'm talking about at the end. You'll be able to provide some thoughts at the SAG for the rides that some time non-riders who volunteer don't realize. I now think I know what a doctor feels when so many people say thank you for being there.
We fixed bikes, passed out food, provided water and mix...it was a great day to be out there cheering on other riders. I have a portable PA system that I've been itching to see how many hours I could get out of the batteries. 6 hours in total with my iPod hooked to it with music I like. The last 2 or so hours the Boy Scout Troop who manned the stop with us had a few iPads of their own music. It was the perfect mix of the old and the new.
So, because of this I didn't get the weekend miles that I had planned to do on Sunday. After almost 10 hour on my feet on Saturday I had to give that knee a break today with plenty of ice. The CAF organization had put together a reunion ride that left Solana Beach and went to San Clamente and back. My goal was to ride up to the Marine base to get in around 30 miles up and back. I did get plenty of riding during the week with stationery miles. I focused on time in the saddle and increasing the resistance. I'm up to an hour now and pushing 150 Watts for the majority of the time.
Last week was also a time to reach out to others. Since I've started writing about my experience I've had some people send me a note or two on the side with questions, thoughts along with details about their own knee replacement. During my first replacement a friend of mines mother was having both her knees done at the same time. We once a week would send a note and or respond to the other with an update. Sharing was helpful and provided a sanity check. I'm currently corresponding to Cammy who just had her knee done as well. She was struggling for a while. I made a few suggestions and checked in a week later. She was much better and had turned a corner towards recovery.
Your doctors and nurse can tell you a lot but if they haven't had the experience it's from a different perspective. I would highly recommend you connect with a person and help each other. It won't be the same issues all the time but it will help to share them. This is a mental game as well as a physical recovery.
So this week I'm going to start adding in ILTs, Individual Leg Training, to my time on the trainer. I'll also get the miles I need on the road next weekend and even move towards hills. Nothing drastic just more up and down.
No comments:
Post a Comment