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!