keeping the faith

unfortunately i did not make it to the race on sunday, they would not accept my late entry, so i went for a 4 hour walk instead!

on monday the mri confirmed a torn cartilage, almost exactly the same as my right knee which was operated on 18 months ago. plus i have a golf ball sized cyst behind the knee as a result of the fluid being generated by the tear, which is then forced out with nowhere to go, so it collects and forms a cyst - i'm no doctor, but i'm pretty sure that's how it was explained, a simple version for a simple person ; ) so this means an op, and it could be as early as next tuesday, yippeee can't wait! more importantly, the recovery plan, discussed this with my physio sam last night:

week 1
elevation, ice-packs and compression for knee
gym for upper body

week 2
elevation, ice-packs and compression for knee
physio to get full range of knee movement
stitches out at end of week
gym for upper body

week 3
elevation, ice-packs and compression for knee
physio

start swimming for cardio work
start cycling to work to help improve movement
gym
enduro shuckburgh hall at end of week??

week 4-6
as above

week 6-8
as above
start jogging/ running
enduro long compton at end of week

but i am under no illusions that this will be that straight forward after the last knee op, but it is worth a try. good thing is that at most i will miss one race event from the cec series and i will be able to train and enjoy the rest of the summer.  i was able to put up with the tear on my right knee for 4 years before having an op, as it was more gradual, but it still always swelled up when i ran, it was always stiff and never felt very strong when i skied, in fact i had to wear a pretty serious hinged support. the tear in my right knee was very sudden as i explained before and i struggled with a simple walk on sunday which confirmed that i had to sort this out asap. anyway this is all rather dull, as i would rather be talking about enduro and the events and places i have been to and going to!!

so, on friday i'm heading down to ringwood with jago and his family to see patsy quick, and start planning the dakar bike training schedule in earnest. we may even be able to have a ride out on the saturday, but we'll see. really looking forward to focusing on the bike side of the training, i have to do more, i want to do more!!

hope you have a great day whereever you are!

tobesx


p.s. my friend danny commented on my salad and herb garden as he has just planted his, so we are now in competition on who can grow the best and then have a 'cook off'..... i think that is where i might come unstuck, gonna have to do some reading! i'll start a salad and herb blog and include photos of my spinach and thyme ; )