New again.

[pooks]

So after buying my bike and killing myself in the heat of the summer, just trying to get in a couple of miles a day -- once the weather turned gorgeous my life turned upside down and I stopped riding.

Today I'm trying to get up the gumption to get out on the bike (and since I just signed up for the 2500 mile challenge on bikejournal, I think I'd better).

The two things holding me back?

I've got the shingles, and the prednisone I'm on is keeping the pain under control, but I'm wondering if actually using my body/muscles will trigger something?

It's colder outside than I'm used to and I've got to figure out what to wear! I bought some warm stuff (wool base layer, etc.) and now can't figure out where I put it! LOL!

[Tuckervill]

I don't think shingles could be aggravated by exercise. If it is, you can always turn around and go home.

I'm sorry you have shingles. I've heard the pain is intense.

:::she says as she sits in the recliner instead of riding::: :o

Karen

[mimitabby]

hey Pooks, I missed you! I'm sorry you have shingles, my aunt who is 83 also just got them and it has caused permanent nerve damage in her face. she is so depressed, I think she won't recover.
You on the other hand, get on your bike and try it! we need your spirit here.

[Bikingmomof3]

Nice to see you Pooks! Shingles can be difficult to recover from. :( Please take it easy. I know what it is like to be excited to get back on the bike. I am hoping to get on the trainer this evening. Check with your doctor before to mcu activity. Heal quickly!

[Wahine]

Hey Pooks,

I'm glad to hear that you are excited to get out on the bike but you should keep a couple of things in mind. Shingles is a type of viral infection that is running unchecked. So although the prednisone will keep the pain down your body still has to do the work to beat the virus. So, like all other viruses that stress your immune system, some light exercise is good but too much will slow your recovery. Feel free to exercise but keep your heart rate low. If you don't have a HR monitor, try to exercise at a level that allows you to continue to breath through your nose, this will keep your intensity level in check.

Take care and recover fast!

[Geonz]

Good you're back! A fellow beginning biker I know also landed shingles this winter... so she's been careful not to push hard - but doing some exercise helps keep the systems kicking in.
Remember, 0.5 miles is more than 0.0 miles. Just do it!! Right now half a mile takes you past a dozen people at least on BJ :) :)
(I'm all frothing because I'm down at 800 something in the ranking now, after my high-falutin' ascent!! but my commute home should take me up a couple hundred...)

[HipGnosis6]

Pooks, I fell off the wagon too.... When I started school I quit bike commuting and that was bad, but when I got in the accident, I haven't ridden but a handful of very short rides. We can start over together! Yay!

[Thistle]

Missed you Pooks, it's great to have you back :D

[Geonz]

So, ladies, have ya been outside? Or is the weekend going to crack the door open for you? Half a mile is infinitely more than no miles... and we need to be rackin' 'em up for Team Estrogen!

[HipGnosis6]

OMG.... it was nice out this afternoon, but it's generally been torrential downpour in this part of the world. I'll ride the next time it's dry!

[Dogmama]

Pooks, I'm with you. Between a new puppy, killer job, the holidays and cold weather, I've found LOTS of excuses to not ride. I'm getting out tomorrow, hog, dog or frog. (Dog = literally!!)

[Bad JuJu]

Pooks! Welcome back!

I had shingles on just about 3 square inches of my left shoulder about 10 years ago and even that tiny bit was just miserable, even with the meds. I continued to do some riding, just not too intense. If nothing else, it kept my spirits up.

Glad you're joining us in the 2500 mile challenge!

[Denise223]

Hi Pooks!

Guess I'm with you & Dogmama.... I know you both will get back out there. :)

I desperately need to get myself back here -- I've got to get myself back on my bike again. This weather out here in New England has been excellent for riding, but I haven't been able to get myself out there!
Whatever fitness I gained from riding this summer, I am sure I've lost by now.

(I DESPERATELY miss our "usual" snowy, cold winter, though... I'm still wearing short sleeves & shorts :confused: )

I've been lurking around TE on & off for awhile - this is my first post in quite sometime.

One thing I do know is, I TRULY LOVED CYCLING :D . My husband and I had such a wonderful summer getting out & riding together. We had so many plans of getting out early in 2007 to ride, because we didn't start riding until mid-season 2006 (June).

Perhaps by sticking around here at TE I'll find my way back to my bike.

Peace & love to you all,

Denise

[crazycanuck]

Welcome back Pooks & Denise!!!! Nice to see you guys back on the wagon.

c

[Geonz]

Is it dry yet?

(Slapped on the Gore-Tex and rode in the rain at lunch today. Right now the radar is to laugh at - we are a wedge of clear between RAIN RAIN RAIN... so I guess I'll get to the bike shop for the inside ride without getting my shoes and socks (no gore-tex down there ;)) any wetter. Time to put 'em on and go!

[Dogmama]

I'm here to tell you that the hardest part about riding is putting on the helmet, shoes, etc. Once I was out there, I wondered why the h*ll I haven't been doing this!

You know how things just "come" to you when you're riding? I had a friend who was a recovering alcoholic. He used to describe drinking as "I take the first drink and the sh*t just disappears." I thought - that's the way I am on the bike. Holy moly - I'm an addict!

[Xrayted]

Hiya Pooks and Denise. Nice to see you both back on TE. Ya know, your bike doesn't have an expiration date. She will be there for you when you are ready. So if you find that you have other more important things in life to attend to for a while, she will undoubtedly forgive you. They are real cool like that. I know this from experience as my bike has forgiven me for not spending time with her for a while.
Tonight after reading this thread, I put her on the trainer and am about to ride. It will be a blissful reunion. Thank you for the inspiration.
I think you will find, like a true friend, when you two finally get a chance to hang out and play again, the "conversation" that ensues will be just like no time had passed between you.

Good luck ladies...

~X.

[pooks]

I just pulled on my cycling knickers and immediately felt a surge.

I'm on my way out the door, will report in later.

Thanks for all the warm welcome backs!

[pooks]

5.4 miles -- 54 degrees, overcast.

Wore my smartwool zip-T and Terry knickers with my boure-yellow short-sleeved jersey on top (because yellow and black is so classy with heather plum, don't you know). It was a pretty good combination for the weather though my calves were a bit chilly.

But the last block, the sun came out for a sec and as soon as it did -- I was HOT. Then it went back under.

It will take awhile for me to figure out how to dress for cool weather, but it felt good.

[Bad JuJu]

It will take awhile for me to figure out how to dress for cool weather, but it felt good.
I've found that the only way to go is to wear layers, and make sure you have someplace to carry anything that you peel off, like a jacket. It sounds like you did layer wisely--so if the sun had stayed out, you could just whip off that jersey and put it...somewhere (bungeed to rear rack, stuffed in bungees on Camelback pack, compressed into handlebar bag, etc...), and have it handy in case you got chilly again. Sounds to me like you've already figured out how to dress for cooler weather.:)

[pooks]

Well, I understand in concept because I first started buying microfiber bottom layers and such when we were traveling in the UK in February.

And I always ended up stripping off layers back when I was walking a couple of miles a day, or especially hiking.

What it will take me a while to figure out is what will work best for which temps when cycling, where the self-generated breeze will eliminate some of the heat my body generates. But you're right, I think I kind of nailed it, first try today!

[CyclChyk]

Welcome back POOKS! I too have been away (remodeling several rooms in the home and still going............. detail work is the WORST)!

Let us know how it goes for you the first couple times out. I am nervous about my first time out again as its been over 2 months I am sure my butt bones have gotten gooshy and things are gonna ache................

Good luck and have a GREAT time!!

[Dogmama]

I think sometimes it is good to take a few months away doing other things. But, we're back - right? (She says sheepishly as she notes the weather at 29 degrees!)

[pooks]

29 degrees!!!

Yiiiiikes.

54 here, sunny, wind gusts to 30 mph. The one thing about TE is that I can't justify not riding, no matter WHAT the weather, because there are always people around here who are riding in much worse! (Mimitabby, I'm looking at you.)