Hmmm...how can I keep my mind off my impending surgery?
Change the layout of my blog, of course! Let's see what else I can do before they knock me out....
p.s. I was inspired by Deanna & Bethany.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Hello again
It's been over a month since I've written something on this blog. Lame, I know. I have been busy with holidays, travel, etc. etc. But, that's not why I've been absent.
I think I've been in a bit of a grieving period. I miss my (somewhat) healthy knees.
Heavy sigh.
I have gone through denial (way back in August), sadness (the blue period = Sept/Oct), anger (November & December) and finally...acceptance.
I am scheduled for knee surgery on Wednesday. I am not expecting miracles. I know my knees won't miraculously become the way they were when I was a youngster. But, I do have hopes that I can bike relatively pain-free again (although that my require some work on my other knee, too) and maybe even run a little.
It helped to have coffee with two of my original Trigirl training buddies (SanDee J and Carmen). We reminisced about doing the ACAC sprint tri in sub-freezing temperatures and competing at Naylor's with hangovers (I never said I was hardcore, people).
I loved doing those sweet, fairly short triathlons. And - I wasn't in bad shape, either.
And so, SanDee J and I are hoping to do the Pink Power sprint tri in August. It will be like old times again.
And that makes me smile.
Life goes on....thankfully.
I think I've been in a bit of a grieving period. I miss my (somewhat) healthy knees.
Heavy sigh.
I have gone through denial (way back in August), sadness (the blue period = Sept/Oct), anger (November & December) and finally...acceptance.
I am scheduled for knee surgery on Wednesday. I am not expecting miracles. I know my knees won't miraculously become the way they were when I was a youngster. But, I do have hopes that I can bike relatively pain-free again (although that my require some work on my other knee, too) and maybe even run a little.
It helped to have coffee with two of my original Trigirl training buddies (SanDee J and Carmen). We reminisced about doing the ACAC sprint tri in sub-freezing temperatures and competing at Naylor's with hangovers (I never said I was hardcore, people).
I loved doing those sweet, fairly short triathlons. And - I wasn't in bad shape, either.
And so, SanDee J and I are hoping to do the Pink Power sprint tri in August. It will be like old times again.
And that makes me smile.
Life goes on....thankfully.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
It's official
My sad ol' knee needs surgery. Both of the surgeons I consulted with agreed on the plan.
I finally understand what they mean by my patella being out of alignment. I saw it right on the x-ray. My right knee cap sits at an angle, rather than almost flat (as it should). Consequently, the wear on the cartilage under my knee has been uneven. Both doctors believe this has been coming on for a long time (many years). But, I've finally worn it down to the point where I'm now causing damage to the cartilage. One doctor said that I was able to keep on going for so long due to my strong quads. Ha! They don't feel very strong right now since I haven't been able to do much strength work or hill running for months. But, for those of you who shun strength training, you may want to rethink that choice. Merci beaucoup to Ed and Mark for their killer strength workouts. You two kept me going much longer than I could have otherwise. And, I have no doubt that you'll help me get up and running again.
Anyway, in mid-January, I'll be undergoing arthroscopic surgery where they'll do a chondroplasty (I think I got the name right) and a lateral release. I'll jump (not literally) right into PT after the surgery.
From there, I'll slowly build up my quad strength again - and hopefully, get back into reasonable amounts of running and biking -and obviously swimming,too.
Please note I wrote "reasonable" amounts of running. I would be very, very happy to get back to a point of running 5-6 miles painfree again.
My knees are fragile - and my cartilage is finite.
I don't want to say that I will "never" do another Ironman race or marathon again. But, I have a great doubts that those kind of distances are what's best for me.
Yup - it only took four orthopedic specialists telling me that AND surgery for me to finally get it.
But, I didn't say I would "never" do another triathlon again - did I? Time will tell what the distance will be.
I finally understand what they mean by my patella being out of alignment. I saw it right on the x-ray. My right knee cap sits at an angle, rather than almost flat (as it should). Consequently, the wear on the cartilage under my knee has been uneven. Both doctors believe this has been coming on for a long time (many years). But, I've finally worn it down to the point where I'm now causing damage to the cartilage. One doctor said that I was able to keep on going for so long due to my strong quads. Ha! They don't feel very strong right now since I haven't been able to do much strength work or hill running for months. But, for those of you who shun strength training, you may want to rethink that choice. Merci beaucoup to Ed and Mark for their killer strength workouts. You two kept me going much longer than I could have otherwise. And, I have no doubt that you'll help me get up and running again.
Anyway, in mid-January, I'll be undergoing arthroscopic surgery where they'll do a chondroplasty (I think I got the name right) and a lateral release. I'll jump (not literally) right into PT after the surgery.
From there, I'll slowly build up my quad strength again - and hopefully, get back into reasonable amounts of running and biking -and obviously swimming,too.
Please note I wrote "reasonable" amounts of running. I would be very, very happy to get back to a point of running 5-6 miles painfree again.
My knees are fragile - and my cartilage is finite.
I don't want to say that I will "never" do another Ironman race or marathon again. But, I have a great doubts that those kind of distances are what's best for me.
Yup - it only took four orthopedic specialists telling me that AND surgery for me to finally get it.
But, I didn't say I would "never" do another triathlon again - did I? Time will tell what the distance will be.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
I blame Dad
Don't get me wrong. I love my dad. He's a great, great guy. I wouldn't trade him for any other dad...ever.
However, this whole genetics thing sometimes can backfire.
Case in point:
Dad had his appendix out (possibly by a butcher - you should see his scar). So did my sister...and so did I. Surprise, surprise! Last weekend, my little brother had his appendix removed. Welcome to the club, Jon!
And how about our knees?
Dad was told many years ago to stop running or face certain knee replacement surgery. He stopped running. My sister had to undergo patellar realignment surgery about 10 years ago - and she really could use the same surgery on her other knee. My oldest brother completely dislocated his kneecap (two words: gross and ouch) playing soccer.
It's hard to fight genes.
My MRI results showed (happily) no ligament, tendon or cartilage damage. But it did show a lot of wear on the my actual patella. It does not track in the groove (just like my sister's) the way it should.
And so, I've scheduled two consultations with two different orthopedic surgeons in December.
But, let's end this on a positive note. Thank you, thank you, thank you to Deanna B, Kathleen M and Kate O for donating to my Team in Training efforts. You rock!
However, this whole genetics thing sometimes can backfire.
Case in point:
Dad had his appendix out (possibly by a butcher - you should see his scar). So did my sister...and so did I. Surprise, surprise! Last weekend, my little brother had his appendix removed. Welcome to the club, Jon!
And how about our knees?
Dad was told many years ago to stop running or face certain knee replacement surgery. He stopped running. My sister had to undergo patellar realignment surgery about 10 years ago - and she really could use the same surgery on her other knee. My oldest brother completely dislocated his kneecap (two words: gross and ouch) playing soccer.
It's hard to fight genes.
My MRI results showed (happily) no ligament, tendon or cartilage damage. But it did show a lot of wear on the my actual patella. It does not track in the groove (just like my sister's) the way it should.
And so, I've scheduled two consultations with two different orthopedic surgeons in December.
But, let's end this on a positive note. Thank you, thank you, thank you to Deanna B, Kathleen M and Kate O for donating to my Team in Training efforts. You rock!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Just your basic update
I'm (finally) trying to join in on the whole Twilight craze - and ordered the first book. We'll see if I get addicted like Margo, Deanna B & Cyndi. I trust those three, so I'm thinking I'll soon be voraciously reading all of the books. Stay tuned.
Huge thanks to Lynn D. for supporting my Team in Training fundraising efforts. As soon as I send in some donations that were mailed to me, my webpage should reflect a total of $930.00 raised to date. I have until mid-March to raise my funds, so you'll be hearing about it for the next few months.
Let me just give a big pat on the back to all the 8kers, half-marathoners and, of course, the marathoners for braving some nasty weather on Saturday. It was humid - very humid, hot, and to top it all off - windy. Just lovely running weather. But, you've got to go with what the day gives you, right?
Big goal for 2009: flip turns. I am fully aware that I won't actually do a flip turn (at least not on purpose) during an open water swim. But, I just think it would be a fun little addition to my (slowly evolving) swimming skills. I figure that swimming is gentle on the joints, so I better embrace it.
And...I'm headed for an MRI on the knee tomorrow. It's not the MRI test that worries me. It's what they will find. But, my friends (especially Blake,Karen H, and Rick) have made it clear that it's time to stop ignoring it.
Sometimes I listen to advice. It just takes awhile. :)
Huge thanks to Lynn D. for supporting my Team in Training fundraising efforts. As soon as I send in some donations that were mailed to me, my webpage should reflect a total of $930.00 raised to date. I have until mid-March to raise my funds, so you'll be hearing about it for the next few months.
Let me just give a big pat on the back to all the 8kers, half-marathoners and, of course, the marathoners for braving some nasty weather on Saturday. It was humid - very humid, hot, and to top it all off - windy. Just lovely running weather. But, you've got to go with what the day gives you, right?
Big goal for 2009: flip turns. I am fully aware that I won't actually do a flip turn (at least not on purpose) during an open water swim. But, I just think it would be a fun little addition to my (slowly evolving) swimming skills. I figure that swimming is gentle on the joints, so I better embrace it.
And...I'm headed for an MRI on the knee tomorrow. It's not the MRI test that worries me. It's what they will find. But, my friends (especially Blake,Karen H, and Rick) have made it clear that it's time to stop ignoring it.
Sometimes I listen to advice. It just takes awhile. :)
Friday, November 14, 2008
Don't forget...
that all donations - large or small - matter when battling cancer. Please consider checking out my website...and giving to the cause. Thank you to Tim and Sarah F, Rick S, CJ & Anita, Ray, Denise & Jeff, Annnnnn, Sandy L, and Josie-Posie for your support.
All donations are 100% tax-deductible.
You'll be a life saver!
Go here.
All donations are 100% tax-deductible.
You'll be a life saver!
Go here.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Looking ahead
I'm thinking about next year - triathlon-wise,that is. Not that I want to wish my time away. I don't. But, I need goals to keep me on track, and since my races are over for this year, I'm starting to ponder 2009.
1. Swim three times per week. I am one of those spastic kinds of triathletes who seems to forget how to swim if I am out of the pool for more than a week.
2. Baby my knees. I am also one of those triathletes who will run and run and run...even if my legs feel like they are about to fall off. I realize that I can't do that anymore. I am just figuring out what my knees seem to tolerate (the treadmill & nicely-cushioned tracks), what they don't like at all (split squats,step-ups, and running downhill) and what they love (swim workouts and drinking wine).
3. Maintaining balance. It is so easy to let one's life get a little out of whack, especially when training for endurance events. I've really had a lovely fall since I've had more time to focus on work and healing my knees. While I have really, really missed training with my buddies, I also feel more organized and effective in my career. I'm also looking forward to cheering for the trigirls, Rick and some of my other friends (go Amanda and Erin!)this Saturday.
4. Sneaking in some more reading. I love books. I love to read. So, why don't I do more of it? I definitely want to change that - Ironman training or not. And what do you know? The trigirls have their very own book club - that I've never attended. How lame is that? My goal is to get to the next TG book club. No - not the one on Wednesday. I haven't read the book...but the next one - in January. Hold me to it!
1. Swim three times per week. I am one of those spastic kinds of triathletes who seems to forget how to swim if I am out of the pool for more than a week.
2. Baby my knees. I am also one of those triathletes who will run and run and run...even if my legs feel like they are about to fall off. I realize that I can't do that anymore. I am just figuring out what my knees seem to tolerate (the treadmill & nicely-cushioned tracks), what they don't like at all (split squats,step-ups, and running downhill) and what they love (swim workouts and drinking wine).
3. Maintaining balance. It is so easy to let one's life get a little out of whack, especially when training for endurance events. I've really had a lovely fall since I've had more time to focus on work and healing my knees. While I have really, really missed training with my buddies, I also feel more organized and effective in my career. I'm also looking forward to cheering for the trigirls, Rick and some of my other friends (go Amanda and Erin!)this Saturday.
4. Sneaking in some more reading. I love books. I love to read. So, why don't I do more of it? I definitely want to change that - Ironman training or not. And what do you know? The trigirls have their very own book club - that I've never attended. How lame is that? My goal is to get to the next TG book club. No - not the one on Wednesday. I haven't read the book...but the next one - in January. Hold me to it!
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