Pete Joachim's Micro Thread
Coach P - This is sort of Micro/Macro and me ranting about my body.
I entered the 2014 NOS and made it thru the first 5 weeks w/o any issues. Was very happy w/how body felt and seem to be progressing. Somewhere in early wk6 I tweaked my left hip/thigh. I decided to lay low the rest of wk 6 and just get in the Wed/Sun speed work on the run. Blew off Thurs V02 bike and just did z3 on bike on Sat for an hour. Went to redo wk 6 during wk7 and after Tuesday's bike (2x15) the left leg just felt terrible. Did the Wed speed work on TM but probably should not have. Saw physical therapist that day and left leg felt like it was right back to where it was a 18 months ago (where its painful to even do 1 runner's "high knee" step).
It's basically an old basketball injury - left leg pulled way back behind my back after slipping on wet floor. It created a very tight joint w/scar tissue right where left leg meets the hip joint. I first started noticing it when I did a handful of marathons before starting triathlon in my 40s. My cycle stoke on the bike is a bit off-kilter as a result - always has been - and is why I can't get down into a real aero position. And biking is what makes it worse when it is sore. The 3 yrs (2010, 2011, 2012) of IM training just make everything very stiff in this joint. I got thru 2013 & 2014 seasons with this issue and really don't want to waste another season of half-assing my way thru races. I have yet to get back to my FTP and Vdot highs coming out of the 2012 JOS.
So big picture - I am really thinking of taking rest of Dec off - just swim & rehab. Re-evaluate in Jan. Maybe restart in Jan - but probably not smart to pick up the J-OS. I should probably take some real substantial time off from bike/run (like 3-4 months) and just work on rehab. Strengthening the joint after rest. I've only signed up for 2 mid summer olys - so this is the time for me to make the decision to prioritize rehab. That way I'm hopefully ready for the next decade of racing in my 50s.
I know your no doctor (and I've seen plenty) - so I guess I'm just looking for some of your thoughts on the big picture here. I hate to give up the bike and racing in general, but maybe I just rehab most of the year and shoot for a fall half/full marathon as my big 2015 race which would provide proof that my leg is healthy again.
Sorry for the long message.
Thanks, Pete
Comments
Course of Action: on 2/4/15 I'm to have a steroid injection into left hip to help with inflammation and maybe some healing. Then 2 weeks of NOTHING physical. Then start aggressive physical therapy followed by functional movement strengthening of the hips. See how my hip responds and go from there. Not sure when I can start cycling and running this year - all depends on how the hip responds. Big picture - my long course racing days may be severely limited since that will cause more damage and quicker deterioration of the joint by doing that much volume. Hip surgery - maybe - down the road. They want to try this less invasive method first. I'm just hoping I can do sprint/olys going forward and if I'm lucking - a HIM every so often.
Hope your having fun in Clermont!
Hopefully this is more adjustment in your training lifestyle than anything else...
So with that news - I think 2015 is just gonna be about making my body stronger so I can get back to sprint/oly racing in 2016. So I don't think it makes financial sense to keep my EN membership going - its hard to "be involved online" when your really not training/racing. And injuries like this are so specific to the individual - everyone's story is different. Plus I am already heavily involved in my local tri club.
So I just wanted to thank you and Rich for everything for the last 4+ yrs. I've learned so much and am really glad I joined EN when I did. If I can get back to racing HIMs then I will look to come back to EN. I will certainly keep in touch through FB /etc. and my long-time EN friends!