Going Crazy

[Veronica]

I haven't ridden my bike since last Friday. My right knee started bothering me on the Knoxville Double, probaly strained (is that right word?) a ligament. Definitely not a tear and probably not the IT, based on where and how it hurts. It was irritating enough to notice, but easy to ignore. I have a pretty high pain tolerance. So I commuted the two weeks after Knoxville, rode a 75 mile ride the Saturday in the middle of those two weeks. And the knee just wasn't getting better.

This is our "off" season. We're lucky, we don't really have an off season,but this is as close as we get. So my "coach" decided I should just stay off the bike. And the knee is getting better. This is my second day of no irritation. So I plan to try riding again tomorrow.

I don't know how people who have to be off the bike for longer deal with it. I like my daily exercise. I couldn't walk or run with this. I thought about swimming. I can't wait for the new gym in town to finish their indoor pool. I just can't get excited about going to swim outside when it's 50 degrees out. The hours for the town pools are early morning and evening. I don't like to be cold. Yeah, I'm a wuss about cold.

V.

[LBTC]

Hi, V

So sorry about your knee, but glad it is getting better. From my very limited knowledge, I think cycling is the best exercise for unhealthy knees - possibly it will just take a bit less intensity (you can do it! Honest!) and shorter rides for awhile.

For me, forced inactivity pushed me further into photography, which I'm very grateful for, and has helped me redefine what's necessary, and even desirable. Yes, activity and exercise and especially biking are still important to me, but so are quieter, more gentle activities like yoga, photography, visualizing butterflies, etc...

I have nearly learned that going for a gentle ride for only 40 minutes is still worthwhile and enjoyable. It does not have to be intense and epic every time.

We'll see how my attitude holds up as I start my very slow and gentle re-introduction to fitness.

Keep smilin', V, you'll be feeling fine in no time!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[smilingcat]

Hi V.,

No I'm not dealing it well for being sidelined against my wish. I had a strong desire to have a fun relaxing ride at the Holstein. dumped it cause of my back. It's not getting any better. I haven't rode since. And here my plan back in Jan '07 was to be back riding and trying to get my old form back. total milage this year has been a paltry 1000miles of training ride. Its not even a month worth of riding back when...

I also wanted to buy a TT bike. Well its silly if I can't ride. Tis the season for cheap bike on e-bay. Found a relatively nice Litespeed Saber (48cm frame), for about the third the normal price. Tri-athlon lab just down the street from me has brand spanking new Cervelo P2C (small) '07 model for $1990. I just can't justify till I get my back straightened out. Went to the chiro, religiously. Still at my Gyrokinesis religiously. I am still getting shooting pain in my back when I move the wrong way. ... don't want to hijack thread. so anyway...

If you can stand it, maybe, lay off the bike for another day or two for good measure. don't risk hurting it while its still trying to recover.

if you get really bored, throw pencils at the ceiling

Smilingcat

[maillotpois]

I don't know how people who have to be off the bike for longer deal with it.

It's tough. For my 6 months off the bike last year, I felt fairly lucky because I was given (generally) a specific time period that I needed to be off the bike - 6 months max, assuming the follow up tests were clear. And I always assumed they would be! But I had a few crying breakdowns when I could not ride, and when I had to give up even spinning for a bit, I sort of just "gave up" completely and stopped exercising. (Except for that marathon. )

But for a more orthopedic type thing that's less well defined, it can almost be harder even if your time "off" is shorter duration. With this bursitis thing I have had for the last 2 - 3 months, it's been tough because I just don't know if I'm doing more harm by riding, etc. Fortunately, it "seems" to have gotten better. (At least for that double. ) I'm sure you will as well, but I understand what you're dealing with!

[RoadRaven]

Geeeez.... I start going nuts after only 3 days off the bike, V! I understand!!!

All the best for trialing the knee on your bike - just take it easy, and let us know how it goes

[michelem]

Veronica,

I can really relate! I fell on my knee Saturday (during the Konocti Challenge). Just got back from the physical therapist and he said I have to stay off the knee for AT LEAST another week, if not two. This means no running (I'm training for the US Half Marathon), no cycling (training series starts this coming weekend) . . . only walking. Boo hoo!

I've noticed myself feeling depressed and weepy without my exercise. I think I'm going through withdrawals.

Well wishes to you! Take care of that knee now so that when you do get back on the bike you can ENJOY!

[Kano]

I'll count myself fortunate in that so far, it's just been the rest of life, weather, and that sort of thing that keeps me off my bike more days than I'd like. Withdrawal? CERTAINLY! I get cranky -- don't even want to be around myself!

My sympathies, Veronica!

Karen in Boise

[aka_kim]

Are you not wearing your wrist band!?

Follow the band!

[Veronica]

Love that wrist band. Alas I cannot it wear at work. But I was writing the initials all over my paper at a meeting yesterday.

V.

[Jo-n-NY]

I also can relate. I mentally and physically feel my best when I am riding. It was very fustrating when I fractured my shoulder two years ago.

Right now it is everyday life that keeps me from riding as much as I like. I hope to change that a bit next year. I envey all you out west people that you don't really have an off season like us NE'ers. However, I get on my trainer which might begin next week for weekday rides. I consider it a consolation and something is better than nothing.

Veronica, I hope you knee feels even better than yesterday.

~ JoAnn

[Veronica]

Arghhh...

We tried to do a fairly easy 35 miler yesterday. The first hill made my knee start aching again. It was fine with my little commute on Thursday and Friday. And didn't hurt on the flats either.

And I could just Harden the F#ck Up and Ignore it. It's just not that intense a pain, more irritating. But I'm afraid if it doesn't heal, it will always be there. And 40 is just too young to already have a bum knee.

V.