Well, knee surgery has come and gone.
I was on the bike the very next morning. Of course it was just a stationary trainer at the phys therapist's office, but I was surprised (and excited, and scared) that they'd wanted me on it so quickly. Seven whole minutes.
I was pretty optimistic the first week. But it's been three now and it still hurts. The worst of the pain is gone (the bone fragment that had gotten lodged in the joint), but the bone-on-bone dead front/center of the kneecap....ouch. Trying to be optimistic, trying to be patient, definitely being conservative. I realize this is NOT one of those times to "suck it up" and push through it, as doing so would just fracture the bone further. I've been super lucky to be in the hands of the team at Athlete's Performance, although they can't help when it comes down to my impatience, my "wear and tear" and now travelling again.
Was so hard to go from all day of riding/playing this summer to nada, zip, zilch. All that altitude/base/climbing work...gone. The positive, however, though is that AT LEAST I GOT SOME AMAZING RIDING IN THIS YEAR! Keep having to remind myself of that! Colorado multiple times, Chile/Andes and home sweet home Arizona. Definitely earned some good dirt this year (and a few podium spots somehow). I'll savor that, but we all know it's really all about TOMORROW. So, I'm hopeful I won't have to rely on past memories.
And not that I like lap-swimming (hate it!), but I was really looking forward to getting the stitches out and at least getting back in the pool. Was craving getting my heart-rate up again. The the Dr said "no"...wait another week for the ports to close/heal up. Ughhh.
So, I loaded up the truck with my bike/trainer, all the cold-weather clothes I own and my buddies' dog who I was supposed to dog-sit for anyway (I love me some Turner!), and headed back to Colorado. I figured I could sulk at home or sulk at 9500' elev and w/a new view; also knew I would never go there if I weren't injured as I hate the cold and feel limited in snow. So, this was a perfect time to see its awe, pedal in place and try something new.
In the interim, some random shots of what kept me occupied before/during/after surgery. Thank goodness for good friends and amazing canines! :)
Buddy Jen & me. Two desert rats trying out some SUP (paddleboardin').
Looking for wild burros out on the paddleboard the night before surgery. (A redrockchica "tradition" it seems.)
One of the several loose bone fragments Dr pulled out.
36 hrs later on trainer. John/Jen's back deck...w/loyal ol' Kelly-dog.
Loaded up and heading to the Rockies. Turner-dog in tow.
Of course, a blizzard hit immediately. Turned out to be kinda fun.
The next morning. Ooo la la.
My first "real" ride. My buddy Schillingsworth gave me a tour of some of the canal routes and hung back at my snail's pace. Flat but at least outside! Happy to have wind in my face again. (Don't mock the kit, I was out of practice and it was surprisingly freezing down in the valley. Whatevah!)
Extra big thanks to the crew who put up w/my injured ol' bootay and who cut me some slack on me being jealous every time they talked about their adventures outside! Especially thanks to Jen, John, the girls, Dredd, Ed, RE, BP, Matt, MB, JZ,...gracias!!
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