Gear Review: Who's Got the Goods (A Preliminary Review of Dry Goods)

Disclaimer: The product reviewed below was provided to me free of charge in exchange for my unfiltered thoughts on its effectiveness. This is a preliminary review based on my initial experiences with the product. I will follow-up after more applications during summer training.

I was about 14 years old when I was first introduced to Gold Bond Powder. Sure, some people only know of the podiatric uses, but at my sleep-away camp it had other well-known applications (powers). For boys away from home - anxious to become men - the first Gold Bond-ing was a coming of age experience. "It's just powder," you might say. Eh, not so much. The cooling sensation - sometimes referred to as the Gold Bond tingle is at first a foreign and unfamiliar feeling (though not unwelcome). Perhaps for some campers it may just be a summer gimmick but I suspect for many it became part of a daily ritual: wake up, brush teeth, get Bond-ed, and get dressed. I am one of the latter.

Green Light

This week I had a follow-up with the Good Doc to check in on my surgically repaired clavicle. Due to some business travel I had pushed back my appointment a few times and hadn't yet been able to start physical therapy. Despite the lack of formal therapy, over the last few weeks I gradually increased the usage of my right side and relied on my body to tell me when it was too much.  It's been some time since I've felt pain in the shoulder; at this point I am only dealing with some residual tightness, soreness after hard workouts, and a bit of atrophy from non-use.

With the solid progression in my recovery I had a hunch about what the Doc would say.  When I wanted to begin therapy shortly after my surgery, he suggested that it would be a waste at that time.  I knew he'd say the same when he checked me out.  My visit was a success and I now have the Dr. approved "all clear" to do anything!

As I've been through my entire recovery I will of course be smart about easing my way back into things - no 2,500 yard pool workouts just yet.  I'll begin training with resistance bands to increase my strength and flexibility and I can't wait to take my first spin on a real bike this weekend!  I don't doubt that the increased impact of the rubber meeting the road may be at first uncomfortable but oddly I'm looking forward to the soreness that will follow but I'll continue my post workout icing regimen and do everything I can to speed up the rest of the healing.

Though swimming was always my least favorite discipline I have literally dreamed of getting back in the pool.  I suppose sometimes it takes losing something to know how important it is to you.  Of the three sports swimming is likely where I will have suffered the biggest setback but the good news is that I wasn't very good to begin with.  Not having much room to go down, I'm looking towards the bright side of focusing on my stroke as I make my way back into the water.

WIth spring entering full bloom, there's no better time to be released into the wild.  Timberman is less than 4 months away and though I've adjusted my goals for the race it's full speed ahead into my training now.

Deja Vu All Over Again

As a result of my brief self-imposed post-Ironman moratorium on heavy workouts, the dreadful - says a recovering Floridian - winter, and the involuntary recovery from my surgery, it's been months since I've hit the track. This morning, accompanied by my fellow Timberman trainee and the emerging light of daybreak we ran intervals at the SUNY Farmingdale track.

Despite not having done one of these workouts in awhile, waking up at the crack of dawn - putting some homemade beef jerky in the dehydrator - and lacing up my racing flats for a near-vomit-inducing workout, was just as invigorating as I remembered it being. By no means was our workout the most challenging but the 30s x 30s interval did fill me with a bit of nostalgia. This workout was one of the first intervals workouts that I completed when I started training for real.  Today, though I was quite a ways from the ocean it seemed as if I could almost smell the salty sea air, just as I did that first time on Miami's Brickell Key.

This morning's session left me feeling energized and ready to take on the day; throughout my work day I was focused and my mind was as sharp as its been in quite some time.

I'm so glad to be back and am looking forward to sinking my teeth (umm...legs) into triathlon season.

Fall Back, Spring Ahead

It feels like forever but it's been only two months since my snowboarding SNAFU and just more than that since my surgery.  By all accounts my shoulder is healing well and the Doc is pleased with my progress.  My x-rays point to proper healing of the bone and the only physical reminder I’m left with is a clean red scar which fades a bit more each day.

A few weeks ago I was given clearance to ease into activity and to say I’ve missed it is an understatement.  Not being able to exercise (or do pretty much any normal activity) was agonizing.  I’m still likely at least a few weeks away from swimming but I’ve begun running with mild-regularity and I’m spinning a couple of times a week.  Hopefully when I see the Doc next week I’ll be given the green light to ride a real bike soon (and I just got my script for physical therapy).  When I’m running, or riding (in place), my shoulder hardly feels different but there's no doubt I experience mild soreness afterwards.  I’ve been diligent about post-workout icing and am also cautious (maybe to the point of nervous) during my activities.

A few months ago I laid out my plans for this year’s triathlon season and it’s with regret that I know I have to scratch some of the schedule I envisioned and reassess my aspirations.  Timberman will continue to be my “A” race and the good Doc has been confident from day one that there’s no good reason I won’t be able to race in New Hampshire. 

Based on the fitness gains I had made in the early part of my training and racing I had set lofty goals for this season and its races.  I know that my injury and (semi)recovery was short in the grand scheme of things but it was much more of a setback than I had expected.  My fitness loss (albeit I admit some of it is mental) is noticeable and I’ve begun working hard to get back in shape; it’s amazing what weeks of inactivity, pain killers, and beer will do to a triathlete.

During the first few workouts after I turned the post-op corner I felt like I was simply going through the motions, but lately I am starting to feel the fire again.  I’ve been increasing my intensity and as a result my energy level is rising as well.  I know that as I keep training my broken collarbone will continue to fade in the rearview mirror and I’ll focus my gaze on the obstacles in front of me, rather than behind.  I can’t wait to start therapy next week and experience the soreness associated with rebuilding muscle and recovering my previous range of motion.

Though my first few runs were less than confidence inspiring (and hard to swallow) I know that I have nowhere to go but up.  As the lingering winter begins to fade, spring is finally upon us (sort of). I look forward to joining the bloom and blossom of the flora and coming to life in the emerging season.

Recovery Road

It's been about five weeks since I broke my clavicle and four weeks since it was surgically repaired. I'm feeling a little better and stronger each day and I'd like to think the worst is behind me. Though that's partially true (in that the pain of the break itself and the post-op period was intense) I know I've got a long way to go before I'm back to full strength.

These last couple of weeks have been extremely hard for me and I'll admit to having spent some time in a very dark place.  I'm not one for a "pity party" (and though I know it was only concern) it was tough for me to accept all the text messages and phone calls that I knew were only associated with my calamity.  Not being able to exercise AT ALL has been the biggest challenge and I've been left with a tremendous amount of extra energy.  For better or worse I damn near cut myself off from anyone with whom I associate exercise and resigned myself to self pity rather than hopeful optimism.  I've come to realize that those who I was cutting off are the folks who care most about me and have come to grips with my current level of inactivity.

As I progressed through my recover I was able to begin taking my arm out of its hefty brace when I was in a "controlled environment.  Last week though I attended the national trade show for my company in Washington DC.  Due to the quantity of people there I had no choice but to keep my arm in the brace both for protection against the crowds and to prevent undue strain on my muscles while I was on my feet. To say my brace was an eyesore and an attention magnet is an understatement; rather it was an albatross and an all too frequent conversion piece. While I'm lucky that my "good" side (I'm left-handed) is healthy, my bum wing made it difficult to shake hands in the typical fashion. Instead I set out as a one man crusader instituting the 21st century left-handed shake; I must admit that watching people decide whether to turn their hand inside out, give me a pound, or simply shake it lefty was more than mildly entertaining.

The show was a neat experience but was without a doubt exhausting and I'm not used to getting so tired from doing so little. On top of the fatigue, by the end of the day I was just hurting.

Being away also meant sleeping somewhere other than my recliner for the first time in weeks. In my hotel room I created a faux-recliner crafted of every pillow the room had to offer and more. My masterpiece was less than comfortable and sadly I was salivating at the idea of a night's sleep back on the couch.

From the time I first learned of the severity of my injury I knew my recovery would be a process and I approached it with a positive outlook. Maintaining my positivity has been more challenging than I expected and these past few weeks have been among the hardest of my adult life. Each day I remind myself that things will get better and my body will get stronger. I am itching to start physical therapy (as soon as the good Doc gives me the green light); though the pain and discomfort won't be fun, I know that I'll welcome the pain that comes along with PT because it is part of the rebuilding. As I reminded myself repeatedly during IM training: no pain, no gain.

Post-Op

In the weeks since my injury I've probably read every internet article, forum thread, or blog post the Internet has to offer on the subject of broken clavicles and surgical repair. I'm more convinced than ever that the decision to operate was the right one.

My surgery was performed by Dr. Joshua Dines, who was actually recommended by the first doctor (who suggested waiting a little bit before going the surgical route) I saw. From the first exam with Doc Dines I was instantly impressed and there was no doubt he'd be my surgeon. He was confident that surgery was the answer and that over time I will make a complete recovery.

The operation was performed at the Hospital for Special Surgery on February 19. I've got to tip my hat to all the nurses, doctors, and volunteers for making the day as stress-free as possible. The facility is top notch and I knew I was in good care.

Titanium-Man

Due to my less than Iron-manly workout schedule and the infrequency of my blog posts I'd been queuing up a post about my winter "tribernation." I'll shelve that one for now in lieu of current events.

 

Last week's snow storm brought heaps of the white stuff (over two feet in my neighborhood) and with it my first opportunity to dust off my snowboard and hit the slopes. After shoveling my way out of the house I was picked up and headed to Hunter Mountain with a couple of friends.

 

Strapping the board on my feet felt strange at first but after the first minute (and a couple of tumbles) or so I started to get my legs back. Just as I was getting comfortable I caught an edge and took a bad spill with my shoulder first contact with an icy patch of ground. It all happened so fast but it hurt pretty badly. I wondered whether it was just typical trauma pain where the pain is brutal at first but subsides quickly.

 

After a few minutes on the ground I attempted to get up and board the rest of the way down. Not happening. Going completely against my nature I agreed for my friends to call for help and within moments I was surrounded by ski patrol. A harrowing speedy sled ride (which under any normal circumstances would have been a blast) brought me to first aid. Much like the school nurse's office, all they were ably to supply was ice (and a poorly tied sling). There was no diagnosis but one of the staff members suggested a possible tear of a ligament near the clavicle.

 

Once I knew that I wouldn't do any further damage waiting to get fully checked out and have the shoulder x-rayed I told the others to enjoy themselves on the slopes (we'd only just arrived) and I hit the bar. Probably due to my sloppy sling, the bartender took great care of me.

 

That night after making it home (in substantial pain) and spending some time with my family and my Dad, who was sitting shiva, the Mrs. and I hit the Emergency Room. The Dr. took a quick look before having the x-rays taken and indicated that it didn't seem like anything was broken (explaining that if it was I would be in excruciating pain, I reminded him that it did indeed hurt).

 

The x-rays revealed a complete break of my clavicle on the distal end ("near the shoulder" in layman's terms-though I'm a clavicle expert now).  The treatment described was immobilization of the shoulder in a real sling and an outside chance of surgery. The follow-up visit with an ortho on Monday was when I first realized things were worse than the hospital docs let on. It was explained that my specific injury can be handled with or without surgery depending on the patient and their activity level. The recommendation was to wait a week and take it from there.

 

I went for a second opinion on Wednesday with one of NY's premier surgeons and for him the diagnosis was clear. For someone like me (young and active) surgery would be the answer. Due to the displacement of the bones the likelihood of the fracture healing normally was slim. I corroborated the prognosis with a good friend who is a doctor of physical therapy and went ahead with scheduling surgery to have a titanium plate installed over the top of my clavicle.