Coach Patrick's January 2017 Not Training Update
January 2017, and I'm long overdue for another update. As always, I want to thank all of you for your support and continue it interest in my rehabilitation.
It is been a while, allow me to give you a brief recap. After time off to allow my hip to recover, I got back and exercise. I had a fantastic 8 to 10 weeks of good training. My bike and run levels were pretty comparable with what I've seen before in terms of high-end output. The endurance wasn't there, but overall I felt pretty good.
Towards the end of that, I began to notice that my left knee didn't feel so good. That continued to worsen to the point where it became uncomfortable and very stiff. I decided to shut my training down again, and return for another MRI.
The MRI came back with a note that nothing was structurally wrong. The only thing present there was potentially a Baker's Cyst, which typically arises when there's some kind of friction or issue inside the knee joint. I am currently in the process of waiting to see a second opinion this month up in Boston.
As you know, navigating the healthcare system is challenging and not everyone has the time or interest to give you 110% of their time when evaluating your stuff. My first opinion left a great deal to be desired.
At the present time I am keeping myself seen by swimming and lifting weights. I am trying to get back on the bike with an updated fit appointment scheduled for mid January with Todd at TT Bike Fit. I think I found a way I can ride the bike relatively pain-free, but I need to confirm that my position is good on the road bike and I'm hundred percent.
Overall I'm pretty pumped with where I am in terms of an activity level, but I do miss all the training that kept me skinny. Winter has only taken its toll, but I'm making the most of this time to focus on work and family. I look forward to having a more detailed and hopefully much more inspiring update for you all in a couple weeks.
I hope your new year was awesome and that you are excited to have a fantastic season. Endurance Nation has a great membership promotion going on right now and we are ready to help you be your best!
Comments
Happy new year - get better! (soon)
Ellen
Skiing's actually pretty easy, once you learn how to let gravity do most of the work. But he probably should stay away from the bumps...
Keep movin' and way to keep positive. I learn a lot from these updates, Patrick.
Ok, kids, time for another quick update on my health. As always, thanks for your support, kind words and various kicks in the ass.
I went in for my second opinion on Monday..this time with the Ortho for the Boston Celtics. Say what you want about basketball, this guy was great. We went back and forth from the table to the monitor with my MRI three times. Walked me through a manual assessment and talked me through the MRI.
The full review said that aside from some potential patella tendonitis and a super tiny baker’s cyst, that my knee is functionally fine. Patella looks good. Joints look good, etc.
Basic outcome is that I somehow managed to aggravate the Fat Pad (shut up Jeremy!) in my knee. It’s apparently the most sensitive part of the knee…tons of nerve endings. So he gave me my first ever cortisone shot, with an order to rest a few days and then get back to training…wants me to follow up in 6 weeks to see where I am at.
Of course, I clearly have some other issues at play here, and I will need to keep working on my core strength, flexibility and hip mobility. But this is a great step.
So I am excited to get back to work, but scared at the same time. I plan on being really cautious for the first few weeks…so if you see me get out of hand on Strava….give me the smack down!
Onwards!!!
~ Coach P
Good to hear there is nothing structural. Although more shots, time, days off are difficult you are back to training in a few days. Probably already as I missed this update.
From experience the weight is killer on the joints running so I agree with Jeremy's scale hack at least on the bon bons.
Headed over to our friend and sponsor Todd at TTBikeFit today....throws me up there and starts laughing.
First road bike fit in approximately eight years and I get a 5mm shim under my right cleat and the seat raised almost 1/2 an inch.
My seat was low to accommodate my right leg (looked perfect) but my left leg was all jammed up. Now things seem better....time will tell.
#endlessjourney