Bad news (century training)

[skywalkerbeth]

Hi

Well, the bad news isn't related to my legs/back etc.

I took a wkd off due to my Achilles, and, because I went to France for one week that was another two weekends. I wasn't concerned about that because the extra two weekends off were a good idea given how my achilles felt. I am back and was rarin' to go. Achilles and everything feels great.

This wkd was to be the re-startup. I would have four more wkds to prepare, with my last long ride being 41 miles three weeks ago. I figured I wouldn't have lost everything in three weeks. On vacation I was walking morning to night but no biking.

I had a medical emergency yesterday related to a chronic eye condition. Very serious, very grim and I won't know the prognosis until this weekend. Aggressive treatments with daily doc visits and I'm not allowed to leave the house which means no biking.

This means FOUR WEEKS off the bike, and when I resume only three weeks to prepare and then the ride on Oct 15.

I feel pretty good about doing a metric century, I think. I can get ready for 60 miles in three weeks I believe. Really not sure about 100 now. What do you think, based on your own experiences?

[Titania]

I don't have any advice for you, but I just wanted to lend a little verbal support. Hang in there. I'll keep you in my thoughts for a quick recovery so you can be back on the bike again soon.

[tulip]

Take care of your body (including your eye!). There will be other centuries. A century after four weeks off the bike would be tough for me. Is there a shorter option? Or would your doc allow you to exercise on a trainer?

Best wishes for your eye

[jusdooit]

First I'm sorry for all you troubles. Now to your question, only you know what your fitness level is, so it's difficult to know how well you'll do. I would probably be fine doing the metric. Do you have a trainer? I think I would use a trainer to try to maintain some of the fitness. I know it's not the same but it should help.

[Caddy]

Second the trainer idea - although I'm not sure if you have to keep the sweat out of your eyes too? Probably, but you can go lightly on the trainer.

Also, is there a time limit on this century? If you could go slower and take some breaks, it might be more manageable.

[sarahkonamojo]

IMHO a century is all about the training. Not that you can't do it without properly training, but it will be much more comfortable if you are prepared. A century can be an ordeal. It also might aggravate your existing challenges.
I'd suggest looking into shorter ride options for the same day. Perhaps starting with the group but intentionally not finishing.
As Tulip said, there is always another century to ride.
S

[OakLeaf]

Oh man. Hope everything goes well with your eye.

... for me it's easy, when things go wrong, to cling over-tightly to plans I'd made before. The century isn't the most important thing in your life right now. Obviously you want everything to be back the way it was, but first things first. Let your eye heal. Do what your doctors say that you can to maintain your fitness. Re-assess when you're allowed back on the bike.

[indysteel]

Oh man. Hope everything goes well with your eye.

... for me it's easy, when things go wrong, to cling over-tightly to plans I'd made before. The century isn't the most important thing in your life right now. Obviously you want everything to be back the way it was, but first things first. Let your eye heal. Do what your doctors say that you can to maintain your fitness. Re-assess when you're allowed back on the bike.

+1. If you can safely get back on the bike in a few weeks' time, then try for the metric. There will be other centuries. Having done centuries with not-quite-adequate training and others with more than enough, it's far more fun and motivating to do them when you're adequately trained. Save your goal for next year when your eye is healed.

And I sincerely hope your eye does heal. Keep us posted.

[skywalkerbeth]

Hi everyone

Thanks for the nice thoughts.

I think Oakleaf nailed it. I'm not fully believing this is happening yet, with my eye. It's my bad eye, so it's not like I would be losing a fully functioning eye. But still.. I just want this to be over with.

[grey]

I second the reminder that there will be other centuries. Take care of your body.

[turbojackie]

I agree with everyone else, take care of the eye!! Good luck and let us now how it goes!

[Sardine]

Just wanted to wish you well and hope you heal soon.

[bmccasland]

Hope you're feeling better and get to go out to play soon!

[Owlie]

There will be other centuries to ride. Take care of your eye. Hopefully everything goes well with it. ((hugs))

[skywalkerbeth]

Thanks everyone. It's nice to come home from the doctor's and see positive thoughts coming my way. I have some good news but some bad news.

The good news is that the current eye problem is responding. It's slightly better but it's going to take a while to get out of the woods.

The bad news is that my good eye, the other one, apparently has some thinning in the back of it which leaves me at risk for a retinal tear or detachment. He's a retina specialist and decided to look at both eyes.

What this means, apart from the fact that it's bad news, is that after this other eye is healed enough (2-3 weeks) I am going to get laser surgery to "tack it down" so that it won't break free. I am not allowed on my bike until well after that has healed. Which means sometime in October. I'm not going to even do the metric this year I don't think.

He didn't make the good eye sound ominous unless I get head trauma or something. He thinks that once we tack it down I'm going to heal up and be OK. But I'm grounded.

Sigh sigh sigh. Well, the bike is there and ready to go, as soon as I am.

Thanks again everyone. I really do appreciate it. Sorry so short here, I'm reeling a little bit I think. I'll be OK, just a lot to process. Scary. A close call. Maybe getting dragged in for this bad issue was a good thing or they would not have seen the retina issues?