Friday, July 6, 2012

Guess What I Did?


Thursday I went for a bike ride!  It was both great and so so. It was great because I was on my bike.  It was so so because I wasn't comfortable and I was tired and slow.  We started out heading for a certain route.  I quickly changed the plan and went on a route close to home so I could head home if wanted. We ended up doing about 14 miles which was good but it was very slow.  I could not get comfortable and I was very tentative. I was worried I was going to do something and hurt myself.  I am using even a twinge of discomfort as a sign to switch or stop what I am doing.  My splint doesn't rest comfortably on the handlebars. I am either holding it slightly off the bars or resting it lightly on them. I am applying basically no pressure on it so I think that interferes with my speed.  I realize that is fine now but I jump to the "OMG I will never be "fast" again.  

I went swimming first that morning.  Again - not fast but comfortable for sure. No pain at all.  I spent the first half of the time getting my goggles not to leak. I was ready to bail (pun intended) when I finally got them to stop leaking.  But the pool is packed!  There is no evening swim in the summer so everyone comes in the morning.  Many people don't stay long so it seems to work out.

Friday I also did a double. A reverse brick. I ran first so that I was running when it was cooler. When I got home I changed all my clothes and had a cold drink. Not exactly a fast transition.  Then I took a ten mile ride, also slow, also slightly uncomfortable.  Not hurting my wrist - just not comfortable. My biggest problem is I can't shift well - no hand strength, worry about hurting my wrist. So I use my other hand which I am very careful about.  Today I bought some power putty on Dr. Jameson's recommendation to strengthen my hand. I had never heard of the stuff. More on that later. I will not switch to my new bike yet as I am not ready for the clips. Plus I will have to try the shifting in my yard.  Don't worry. I am being very careful.  Maybe too careful but I don't think so.  

I am having many more splintless times in general and doing so much more with my hand.  I am amazed at how much it has improved so I need to be patient and the rest will come.  I was hoping to do a tri at the end of July but not sure that will happen. Once again I will wait and see how things progress. I want to try and do an open water swim in the next week although it will probably be just in a swimsuit, not with the wet suit as I don't think I could get that on now.  It seems that with one weak hand that might be beyond possible.

But I'm absolutely moving forward and doing so much more than I thought I would be by now when this first happened. A huge yay for that!  

16 comments:

Pahla said...

Yes, a HUGE yay for moving forward!! When I gave myself a stress fracture years ago I was so tentative running on it after it was healed. It took many, many weeks before I didn't flip out over every little twinge. I think it's fabulous that you are on your bike again! You will absolutely get back to where you were or maybe someplace even better. :)

Michael said...

Awesome, awesome news!!! I'm so excited for you!! I can't imagine trying to ride my bike with a splint. I think that would be a disaster and you are definitely right that there is no way you could get a wetsuit on with one weak hand...at least I know I couldn't! I barely can with 2 hands!!

Jill said...

This is GREAT news! Hope you are able to Tri this month.

Char said...

You just need to get your confidence back on the bike again and you'll be fine. Good to hear that it's behaving itself in the pool and on the run. The bike leg will come!

christa said...

Yay for you!

Unknown said...

I'm glad you are making progress. I tried swimming one tie shortly after getting splint off a broken finger. I remember that It hurt a lot more than I thought it would every time my hand entered the water.. It's amazing what you take for granted when you are fully healthy

middleagedrunner said...

You are really making speedy progress! I'm sure it feels slow to you but I'm really impressed with how quickly you are getting back on the horse (umm, bike!)
Good job- you are killing it per the norm :-)

Giorgio said...

Great to hear you're improving!
Have a nice Sunday!

Ransick said...

That is great you are getting back at it and smart you are being cautious. Keep it up!

Liz said...

The speed will come back! Great that you are back in the saddle!

Average Woman Runner said...

Wow - that's great that you have been able to swim AND bike with your injury. Keep it up!

Jill said...

Big yay for you! Don't stress about the pace, that will come. The important thing is you're back and going to be ready for that tri!!

On the Right Track said...

Ah...my comment bounced back...here i go for the 2nd
time!!

Great news!! i can't believe you are able to do all this with your wrist right now. It must be so comforting and "therapuetic" to get back on that bike...and just go! The times will come down I am sure as your confidence and bravery, ha ha, come back!!

so glad to hear you are well...and I loved the recap of your July 4th race...such a special moment for
your community I am sure!

thanks for your support and words Ajh...i really appreciated them!

Fran said...

I'm happy for you that you could ride your bike again. And glad that it's healing well.

When you have finished private practice I have a tip for you: Downton Abbey (English costume drama). I just finished season 1 and 2 and love it.

Kate Geisen said...

I want to hear more about that Power Putty for sure, because my right hand (the one where I dislocated the thumb a couple years ago and the one that's been affected by the nerve issues from the long rides) is WAY weaker than it should be.

I remember trying to ride with a splint. Not so fun, but way better than nothing, huh? I think you're smart to be cautious. The last thing you want to do is reinjure yourself on the back side of recovery.

Lindsay said...

hooray!!!!! (though i'm like 5 days late, so behind!) i hope you've been doing even better in these past 5 days and maybe got out for another (more comfortable) ride!