So long

[Kathi]

I've been riding for years but maybe my recent experience will help.

I tore my ACL and MCL in Jan. My right leg was in a brace for 6 weeks to protect the MCL and help it heal. I rode my bike on the trainer 45-60 min. 5-6 days a week and did pt. After 6 weeks I had surgery to replace the ACL. I lost all the strength I had built up before surgery. My quad shunk to nothing, I had minimal strength but I was back on the trainer 9 days after surgery and riding outdoors 4 1/2 weeks after surgery.

However, I felt like a beginner again. At first, I couldn't ride more than an hour. I couldn't climb hills and had to drive to the park to ride (1.2 miles) because I couldn't walk or ride back up the hill near my house. I felt strong but if I pushed myself to much I be so worn out that I'd go home and take a nap. In early June I thought I was doing well so I did a 20 mile ride around a lake near Leadville, Co. There was a 3 mile climb and a 5 mile climb. I was able to climb easily but I was so tired at the end of the ride. The next day we did a 20 miler around Lake Dillion. I came home so tired that I couldn't get on the bike for 3 days. My PT said I had the cardio and strength for the climbing but not the muscle endurance.

To regain my endurance I rode 3 days a week for about 1 hr. and increased my time on Sat and Sun. I gradually increased the weekday ride to 2- 2 hr rides and 1-1 hr rides. My weekend rides increased to about 3 hours depending on how I felt.

About mid-July I no longer needed naps to recover and on longer rides I would feel tired but strong. I just finished a 400 mile tour, which I was very concerned about completing, and my longest day was 80 miles. I didn't dare attempt the century as I knew I wasn't ready for it. Because I trained carefully, listened to my body I was able to handle the long distances and most of the tough days in the wind.

My injury and recovery has taught me alot about myself, I went though a lot of frustration because I set my expectations to high. Muscle endurance was something I always took for granted and expected to be there and was surprised and frustrated when it wasn't. I learned that it takes patience, perservance and resisting the temptation to push yourself to hard to soon.

I'm still not completely recovered and won't be this season but I have 2 more tours planned, will ski and this winter and will be back on the bike in full form next year.

So my message is to give yourself time, ride frequently, if only for 1 hr at a time, stretch, nap if you need to. Challenge yourself with longer rides 1 day a week or so and you'll be amazed how your riding will progress.

Keep working and soon you will be bragging about your 1st century ride too!

[Kathi]

BTW, I'm 58, so age has little to do with it!