Hangin' with Fave

I knew I needed another knee surgery, but I wasn't quite sure when it would happen. On one hand, I wanted to get it over with so I could focus on getting totally healthy again. (I want to run again!) On the other hand, I really didn't want to go through another knee procedure.

Fave, my surgical partner-in-crime, jokingly said that I should tell my surgeon (who happens to be in the same practice as her surgeon) that I should have surgery this week so we could be crutch buddies.

Well now...be careful what you wish for..

Knee surgery #2 (on the other knee) is set to take place this Wednesday - a mere 24 hours before Fave's leg is repaired.

We will be the ones with the bedazzled crutches.

Released

After 3 months of PT, I was officially released on Friday. Of course, chances are high that I will be back in May if Dr H. performs surgery on my other knee. I'll find out about the situation with that possible surgery on Thursday.
The funny thing about recovering/prepping from/for knee surgery is that it both restricts me and frees me. Weird, I know.
Obviously, I'm restricted in what I can do. I've missed a lot of training over the winter, so I'm not able to do the hard core workouts the half and full IM people do. I'm not running yet (we tried that on Friday - not quite there). And so I find myself being able to...do whatever I want.
I can fit in a random pilates or yoga class and not worry that it's "getting in the way of a scheduled workout."
I'm checking out a wide variety of spin classes and instructors - different music, different routines. It's something unexpected every class.
I'm trying to learn the butterfly which is hilarious. But, I figure - why not? It's something new. And funny. Very funny.
I have a lot more time on the weekends. I love that. I'm reading books again. I'm looking forward to creating beauteous flower boxes. I think I might even cook dinner from time to time.
Yup - there is a silver lining after all.

Outside

How nice when the weather cooperates with outdoor riding plans. Saturday was the first TG ride - as well as my first attempt at riding outside with my fixed-up knee. I will admit that I was a complete grump on Saturday (before riding). I was feeling sorry for myself that I couldn't do the Lake Placid ride. I know, I know - self-pity gets me nowhere.

However, as soon as I started pedaling around the friendly confines of West Creek, my bad mood was gone. Sunshine + friendly faces all around + my beloved Trek = happiness.

I kept my pace very easy (I didn't even turn on the bike computer) and simply spun around the 8-mile loop three times. At first, my knee felt a little stiff - but it was fine within 10 minutes. I did find myself nearly blown off my bike a few times...ah yes, spring riding!

I'll probably stay away from really steep hills for awhile until my quad regains more strength, but as Coach B wisely pointed out, "You are in no rush."

After riding, we did our usual lounge around the WC parking lot (not as dangerous as our notorious picnics-in-the-middle-of-the-Blue-Ridge-parkway).

Good stuff.

Mucho love..

to all of you.

Thanks for all the love & support re: my last post.

My new mantra is: patience, patience, patience...

Sigh...

Lately, I've been a little too enthusiastic about my recovery. It's going really well - but not quite as well as I'd like to think. I need many reminders that it really hasn't been that long since surgery. I'd prefer reminders from my own brain - not my knee.

Heavy sigh..

After too many hours on my feet over the weekend combined with swimming, hard cycling and overdoing it on the step ups, my knee looked like a big fat melon yesterday at PT. Jim sat me down, put some ice on my knee, and told me to stay off my bike and out of the pool for a day or two.

Dang it.

He did reassure me that I haven't done any damage and that all will be fine in a day or two.

It's just a reality check that coming back from surgery is a process that can't be rushed.