Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Making Lemonade

I spent a good chunk of the weekend on my butt resting the leg.  It seems odd to 'rest' an unidentified swelling that is pretty much invisible to anyone who isn't familiar with the geography of my leg.


It can be a frustrating process that's for sure...  when something this minor becomes so major simply because you have to put it inside a prosthesis.  On the other hand it is no different from an injury anybody might get - it keeps you from doing what you want to do.

The trick, if there is one, is to find the things you CAN do and DO THEM.  All while trying to repair, rest, and recover from whatever the problem is.  So that is what I have been trying to do.

Progress:  X-ray - done.  Ultrasound - booked (July 25th what a joke...) and re-booked with begging (next Thursday).  Blood test - done.  Results of any of them - not yet.  On two different drugs - one an anti-inflammatory the other an anti-biotic.  Amazing how you can go from very healthy to all of that in a few days...

Training:  Kevin and I hit up Batchelor Bay at 6 yesterday morning.  We did the usual loop and enjoyed the warm water temps.  Usually it takes me 30-45 seconds to get comfortable in the cold water around this time of year, but right now it is instant comfort.  

You can see it is now around 16° or 17°c (62°F) which is a LOT better than the 9° (48°F) a few months ago.


ALSO, I am flying in the new wetsuit!  Looking back I should have realized that my old suit was 1. too big and 2. had two or three too many holes (that's a disastrous combo for speed.)

Innovative Fitness:  I have continued going to my sessions at Innovative.  I learnt a long time ago that I can't stop everything when I have a leg problem.  I just adapt and do what I can.  It's at times like this that I AM SO LUCKY to have the coaches at IF on my side.

On Friday Jeff Iwanaka devised a dastardly core session - all the hardest core exercises back-to-back-to-back for most of the hour.  It left me tired and happy and my leg untouched.

Yesterday, Dylan worked me over with bands, cables, swiss balls, posture etc.  

Riding:  I tried out the leg on a quick 1 hour ride at 5:45 this morning. Kevin and I ran the bikes out along Marine Drive to the industrial part of North Van and back...  we took it pretty easy but worked occasionally.


It felt ok-ish... on hills and out of the saddle I can definitely feel pain but it's relatively fine when I just spin. I am now waiting to see exactly how much I will have to pay for the effort in the way of swelling.  It's encouraging I guess - though TTs and track events are all about pushing HARD start to finish.

Anyway, the long and the short of it is that I am doing what I can when I can.  It's not easy right now but then again, who ever said it was gonna be easy?


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9 comments:

beth said...

way to focus on what you CAN do. i think that's an awesome lesson for so many of us. whatever it is, i hope you a)find out soon (not knowing SUCKS!) and b) heal fast!!!

BreeWee said...

I'm with Beth, you are so encouraging and it puts life into a clearer view for us who take it for granted... hope you are in tip-top shape soon...

I was trying to read that chart thingy of yours, looks like tiny bumps you guys call "wave height"?? too funny, oh yes I will have that underwater camera with me in your ocean....

Take care! Im off to make lemonade...

MJ said...

ha ha....

yeah it's not too wavy out there... it's all protected by islands. It can get a lot bigger than that but it takes a storm.

swimbikerunryan said...

i love lemonade, i'm glad you are making it... keep positive, you are experienced enough to be patient and get whatever it is resolved.

Jo Lynn said...

It is a joke you need an ultrasound (or MRI, etc.) and they schedule it for weeks out. We want to know what's wrong NOW. Who wants to wait a month to get on with life? Keep your chin up. Sounds like you are though. ;)

Missy said...

Son of a bitch! I'm sorry jbut it sounds like your spirits are up:)

Gotta Run..... said...

great outlook...

RENTLESS FORWARD MOTION!!!

Kim Hexter said...

I love how you roll, MJ!!
Always such good life lessons complete with a few AWESOME laughs
I'll be sending happy thoughts your way :)

MJ said...

Thanks for all of the support you guys! It means a lot to me.

Cheers,