January goal: have full active range of motion by 4 months post-op (January 19)
At the start of this new year, I wrote down a lot of things that I would like to accomplish: get back into shape, graduate, get a job, race another Ironman, etc. I ended up narrowing my list down to one thing: to get strong. Meaning that I am not just going to finish rehabbing my leg, but my entire body as well. I've noticed a lot of changes since I have had to put aside my running shoes. I've had tunnel vision where all I saw was my injured leg. Now my core is weak. I've also neglected to see that my upper body could use some help as well. I don't want to even think about my cardiovascular system either. What a trainwreck.
Of all things, my left leg is still in need of the most attention. The quad is still smaller although it is getting harder to see the difference between the two legs. It at least looks like I have muscle now. The range is steadily getting better. I am working standing and being able to grab my leg behind me to do a quad stretch. Not quite there yet.
Last week I began adding the elliptical machine to my workouts about 3 times a week. I'm up to 15 minutes at a time right now. Oh it hurts. The elliptical machine is more weightbearing than the bike but much less than running. The idea is to work this machine for the next couple months to help guide me back to running. The big issue when I go back to running is not being out of shape cardiovascually, it is that my knees are not going to be used to the impact on the ground. By adding some impact now, I am hoping to lessen the shock when I start running for real. It does feel nice though to get on a machine that simulates running somewhat. Today that's what I pretended to do. I chose a machine facing a large window and I just imagined myself running outside. Today was one of the nicest days we have had in a while. Perfect winter running weather. This would normally be the type of day that I would take the dog out and we would go about 8 miles. You don't get that many days like this on a January in Michigan.
Later on this evening I am going to jump on the bike trainer and ride for a while. This in addition to stretching my leg twice a day has really been helping to get my range back. I can get my knee bent now to about 4 inches from my butt. This is under my own power this time. At the rate I'm going, I think I'll have it all the way soon.
At the start of this new year, I wrote down a lot of things that I would like to accomplish: get back into shape, graduate, get a job, race another Ironman, etc. I ended up narrowing my list down to one thing: to get strong. Meaning that I am not just going to finish rehabbing my leg, but my entire body as well. I've noticed a lot of changes since I have had to put aside my running shoes. I've had tunnel vision where all I saw was my injured leg. Now my core is weak. I've also neglected to see that my upper body could use some help as well. I don't want to even think about my cardiovascular system either. What a trainwreck.
Of all things, my left leg is still in need of the most attention. The quad is still smaller although it is getting harder to see the difference between the two legs. It at least looks like I have muscle now. The range is steadily getting better. I am working standing and being able to grab my leg behind me to do a quad stretch. Not quite there yet.
Last week I began adding the elliptical machine to my workouts about 3 times a week. I'm up to 15 minutes at a time right now. Oh it hurts. The elliptical machine is more weightbearing than the bike but much less than running. The idea is to work this machine for the next couple months to help guide me back to running. The big issue when I go back to running is not being out of shape cardiovascually, it is that my knees are not going to be used to the impact on the ground. By adding some impact now, I am hoping to lessen the shock when I start running for real. It does feel nice though to get on a machine that simulates running somewhat. Today that's what I pretended to do. I chose a machine facing a large window and I just imagined myself running outside. Today was one of the nicest days we have had in a while. Perfect winter running weather. This would normally be the type of day that I would take the dog out and we would go about 8 miles. You don't get that many days like this on a January in Michigan.
Later on this evening I am going to jump on the bike trainer and ride for a while. This in addition to stretching my leg twice a day has really been helping to get my range back. I can get my knee bent now to about 4 inches from my butt. This is under my own power this time. At the rate I'm going, I think I'll have it all the way soon.
1 comment:
Good luck with everything :) Hope all goes well!
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