Feeling Almost Normal

My shoulder is getting better.  I didn't go back to see the PT like I was told.  I'm too cheap.  But I have really worked on my exercises and have definitely increased my ROM.  In fact, I feel pretty normal.  I still try not to use my right arm for much, but even as I sit here and type with two hands, my arm is elevated and it feels fine.  This may sound silly, but it's awesome.

In about a week I get to start strength training.  I will even try putting some weight on my right arm in spin class.  Doing one class one-handed is tough.  During this week of doubles, my left elbow was really sore about half way through the second class.

I was able to keep up the long workouts all week.  Friday, I only did 75 minutes.  I plan to do doubles again on Monday.  So four days a week I will work out for 2-3 hours per day and three days a week, I will work out for 1-1.5 hours per day.  At least that's my goal.  When I add in strength training I guess my cardio time will decrease.  We'll see. 

So far all these extra hours at the gym have made me feel great.  So I only look forward to doing more.

Split Workout

Today I tried to split up my workouts.  This morning I took a spin class and then rode the bike for an hour.  And tonight I went back to the gym.  I didn't make the spin class, so I just rode the bike for an hour again.

I know this sounds kind of silly.  But I'm really done being the hurt, broken, poor girl that can't ride.  I'm ready to get back in shape and be healthy again.  Plus when I can ride again, I'd like to have the energy, stamina, and muscle to be able to do it well. 

It's not like I can downgrade to Sport Class for the first few months of racing, then move back up to expert.  Or maybe I can.  Who knows?  I think I'll just stick to my class and come in last, but at least get out there again.

Less than 6 weeks to go! 

Two Spin Classes - Why Do My Thighs Still Touch???

Tonight I took a 6pm class for 60 minutes / 22.5 miles and a 7:15pm class for 52 minutes / 19 miles.  And when I got home, I was still chubby.  Rediculous.  I thought I could instantly get back into racing shape.  Bummer.  Still, it's a good start.

Tomorrow I will try to break it up and take a morning class and a night class, if I can move.  Wish me luck!

New Bike!

Not for me yet, but for hubby.  For all he's done for me, teaching me to ride, pretty much completely giving up the sport after the baby was born so I could continue to ride and race, and taking care of me and everything through this shoulder nonsense, he deserves a new bike.  So what did he get???

A new Gary Fisher Excalibur.

Pretty huh?

Note the cute and colorful spoke decorations the two year old found in the sporting goods clearance section as target.  We surprised Papa.  Awesome!

Hubby got to race the new bike this weekend at the 2nd short track race and we didn't have to go to the emergency room.  Yippie!  The only reason he was good is because I threatened to sell his new bike if we ended up in the ER.

The new bike is his first geared bike in almost 6 years when I bought him his GF Rig for his birthday in the Spring of 2005.  So he's learning to change gears....funny!

Oh and now the Strider isn't good enough for Jack.  He wants pedals.

Someday I'll get a bike.

Hope This Sticks

Forgot to mention, I am out of the sling now.  I hope I stay that way!

6 Week Doc Visit

Guess I can't do anything right.  After the first surgery I was using my arm too much and broke my shoulder, but had great ROM.  This time around I am being so careful, resting like a good girl, and do not have as much ROM as I should.  Awesome!  So the doc said to put some torch into my exercises and try harder.  Funny cuz I've been being so good.  Oh well.  Can't win.  Guess it's time to check in with my physical therpist and learn some better exercises.

Not The Face!

Last Sunday kicked off the Charlotte Winter Bike Race Series.  Since I'm out till March, hubby decided he would take this opportunity to race while he'd not on baby duty.  Not having a mountain bike didn't seem to deter him.  So he used my step daughter's fully rigid Redline in a size too small for him.  And here's what happened:

He caught a bit too much air off a little lauch-able jump....and landed on his face.  Maybe this sport isn't good for our family??? Ya think?

Hubby started out the race in back and kept picking off a rider or two each lap.  You could tell he was having fun and doing well.  And then I stopped seeing him cross the start finish, and I started to wonder.  Mechanical for sure, it's a silly little bike.  But no it was a physical.  Bummer!

Now my son associates bike races with accidents and is scared to look at Papa.  Even so, as we were driving away, I told the boy we were heading home so Papa could get cleaned up.  Jack said, 'Jack go another bike race, a different bike race, a blue bike race!'

Mountain Spin

Yes, I'm blogging about a spin class, sad I know.  But it was the best spin class I've taken since moving to NC from CA over 5 years ago.  This guy was good from the start.  The bike's resistance ranges from 1-20.  He starts at a 10.  All the other moronic teachers start at a 1, no resistance at all on the fly wheel, totally unrealistic and useless.  His music was great, real rock music.  The great thing about spin classes is you don't have to play the silly chipmunked hip hop crap.  You can use a great variety of musics with different beats.  And he did, he actually followed the beat of the music.  Amazing!

I had a great workout and it was so fun.  Shy me actually went up to him after class to see if he rides.  Not on the road, mostly  he mountain bikes.  Duh!  His name is Wes and he teaches at Urban Active Fitness in Ballantyne alternating Saturday mornings and Monday nights. 

Nonsense

Tonight I took my 3rd spin class post op #2.  I worked so hard, I almost threw up.  I should try that in a race, I might win.  It was the longest class so far, 60 minutes, 21.5 miles.  Most of the classes at my silly new gym are only 45.  This class was hard .  Sad I know.  This is even tougher than when I started spinning after op #1.  I have never been so out of shape in my life!

And yes, that includes during my pregnancy.  I rode until just a few days before the boy was born and I was riding 1 to 2 hours per day, 6 days a week.  And seriously after delivery I lost almost 20 pounds immediately.  My first day back on the bike, when Jack was 12 days old, was amazing.  I felt so light and so fast.  Nine months of pregnancy is nothing compared to what is turning into 6 months of injury.

And I can't even imagine how much I weigh.  I haven't weighed myself in almost two month.  Hold on, let's see...

117lbs

That's kind of shocking.  Normal is 114ish.  I expected the scale to say 135.  I must have lost a lot of muscle and replaced it with this nice layer of softy mofty chubs.

I am so ready to be done!

10 more days in a sling

3.5 more weeks till I can start strength training

7.5 more weeks till I can ride

But who's counting?

Checked In

Today I checked in with my physical therapist and I can start my active assist range of motion exercises.  That means hubby is off the hook and I can move my arm with poles and pullys 2-3 times per day, what fun.  My shoulder feels good and I definitely want to chuck the sling, but I promise to wear it for two more weeks until I see the doc.

On an side note, I am off the sleepy drugs.  A few weeks ago Dr. Cook gave me some Ambien to try to help me sleep.  It worked really well and I have been sleeping fine.  But yesterday I felt awful when I woke up, dizzy, nauseous, headache, lethargic, and just plain yucky.  When I thought about it, I'd left a little of that for a few days.  So last night I skipped the drugs, didn't sleep all that much, but feel great today.  It's going to be tough sleeping in the sling for the next few weeks, but tired it so much better than drugged out.  So I'm done with Ambien.

One Year Closer to the Masters Class

And there are still so many more things I want to do before I turn 40!

Race ORAMM competitively.  Not green, just trying to survive.

Make it to the Xterra Nationals.  Keep in mind I've only done one race ever and don't know how to swim.

Do a 24 hour race solo.  Yeah, that seems really unlikely.  I love to sleep.

Oh yeah and the Sea Otter Classic.  I guess that's just a silly little dream.  Maybe I'll make it there as a spectator someday.

Back to reality...

Tomorrow I will attempt my first spin class since my second surgery.  Baby steps, yup.  Oh and I still need to order a bike.  Details and baby steps!

Home PT

Since our insurance rolled over in the new year, I'm doing most of my PT at home.  For the first four weeks, PT includes passive range of motion exercises.  Last time I went to PT twice a week and hubby moved my arm the other days.  So this time, after being trained by my therapist, hubby is doing my PT every day and I am checking in with the professional once to twice a month. 

Hubby is doing great so far and my shoulder seems to be doing well.  I am taking it much easier this time around, letting it tighten, atrophy, and develop scar tissue like in a normal person.  Weird, I know.  But hopefully all these seemingly negative things will help protect it, from me, this second time around. 

Active assist range of motion exercises start on Monday, which will also be 4 weeks post op.  Only two more weeks in the sling.  And yes, I am counting the milliseconds!