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.
