Happy Monday: Broken nose and knee injury

[Crankin]

It's amazing how fast we heal, Catrin. Maybe a short hike next weekend, 1-2 miles, to test the knee?

[Catrin]

It's amazing how fast we heal, Catrin. Maybe a short hike next weekend, 1-2 miles, to test the knee?

That will probably be a good idea - if they get me the new brace at PT that they discussed the other day. Today I did spend 25 minutes on the ArcTrainer. Level 1, wave setting which translates to very small changes in incline and much less resistance than I ordinarily use on that machine. It was fine :-) Not saying the knee is close to normal, but I can work with it!

My next goal is to get back to the KB Long Cycle (clean and jerk)!

[OakLeaf]

Glad you're healing! Definitely get some sunshine if you can, even if it's only sitting out ... it'll help your mood, besides vitamin D is so important for healing!

[emily_in_nc]

Glad you're doing better all the time, Catrin! :-)

[Catrin]

I took Crankin's suggestion & did a short hike today It was a three hours after my usual Sat morning KB group, and already over 70 degrees by early afternoon so I went for it. I hit dirt trails rather than pavement, and went to the most gentle trails I know with very little climbing. I didn't want to tax the knee more than needed. My phone is the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active and used a couple of the fitness features to keep track of my efforts/mileage/route mapping/etc. (Really surprised at how robust they were!). I had hoped for at least 1.5 miles, but I was back at my car at .85 mile - my knee was hurting by then. Seemed best to call it a day instead of forcing myself to hit an arbitrary distance. Thankful that I selected trails that didn't get me too far from my car as the crow flies, it helps that I chose a park I am very familiar with.

On one hand it was humbling that very easy hiking bothered my knee, but I am wearing a brace for a reason. I can work with this - just have to be smart. Thinking it might be good to get a hiking staff or something, once I am able to hit more challenging trails. At least I DO have a non-impact cardio option at my other gym, and I've learned what I can do with the kettlebells and what I need to avoid for now. All good!

[Crankin]

Catrin, I use poles when doing hiking in challenging terrain. Not so much for my knees, but for stability, as I am a klutz! I use my snow shoe poles, which are interchangeable for the season you're in. They are pretty commonly used around here, especially up in the White Mountains.

[Catrin]

Catrin, I use poles when doing hiking in challenging terrain. Not so much for my knees, but for stability, as I am a klutz! I use my snow shoe poles, which are interchangeable for the season you're in. They are pretty commonly used around here, especially up in the White Mountains.

This is good to know, and really, I am thinking about one for stability. I need to do what I can to prevent another fall on that knee... I will need to decide between one or two, but I think one is sufficient for the terrain I will find in the mid-west. I won't risk my favorite hiking trail for now - it is a double black diamond mountain bike trail that is VERY hard to just walk. Even with two poles I don't think it wise - and there were those who shook their heads at my hiking it solo.

[emily_in_nc]

We looooove our hiking poles for hikes with climbs and most especially for descending. We've done some hilly hikes without them and always regretted it! They help going uphill to be sure, but even more for going downhill, protecting the knees, and as Crankin aptly notes, for stability. However, they can also cause a fall if the tip gets wedged in between rocks...don't ask me how I know this!

Still, if you are careful with placement, they help way more than they hurt. I've hobbled down trails with a sore knee before that there's no way I could have done without 'em.

[Catrin]

Thanks Emily! I appreciate hearing from both you and Crankin on your experiences.

I overdid things today, my knee is really complaining I had planned on doing some steady-state no impact cardio at my gym tomorrow but I may not get there. Oh well, one step forward, half-step backwards, that is the way of things. I am not about to give up moving! This means my gym bag will be in my car when I head to church in the morning, just in case