Resolutions...

Don't believe much in resolutions, they just seem to be things people try which last a few days, weeks or so before you slip back into the norm. I do however have a goal which I set on a yearly basis which I guess is sort of like a resolution except its the same every year. I started this when I was diagnosed w/ Type 1 Diabetes in 2004. My wife thinks its a crazy goal and she would be correct. The goal is to be in better shape this year then last year. She's quick to point out that I'm going to fail one of these years and she's probably right, but it won't be this year. :)

This year, more flexible, more miles, more gym time and work a little of my fat off (my new Christmas scale says 9.8% fat). We shall see...

Does playing trains with Nick 4 hours today contribute to that goal.... :)

Where I rode 2007

So not as interesting as 2006, it's not as bad as it could be.

Here are the places I rode...

International:

* 2 Places in Sydney Australia (Blue Mountains)

Far Away or Sort of Far Away:

* Michaux, Pennsylvania
* Poconos, Pennsylvania
* Stokesville, Virginia

My Backyard:

* Schaeffer Farm
* Hoyles Mill
* Seneca Creek
* Black Hill
* Gambrill
* Frderick Watershed
* Patapsco
* Little Bennett
* C&O Canal
* Susquehanna
* Quantico

All in all a good year of variety...

Mileage was a big boost over 2006, rode 2027 miles this year vs the 500ish last year. About 1/2 of those 2000 miles were Mountain miles also.

Next year (once I lick this knee crap)... more miles.

Time to try again???

Been off the bike for 23 days... Physical Therapy ended today... I could go back for some more PT, but the inflammation is mostly gone. Its now time to build and get back to regular activities. Need to stretch as much as possible and strengthen the hips to keep things doing the things they should.

The trainer (replacement for the broken one) comes today, maybe an oman. I think I'll ride before January on it and start building. Slowly at first and put more time as things don't cause any pain.

Had a bike fit and a shoe fitting done to make sure that wasn't contributing to my problems. Learned alot, but I don't think the bike fit was a problem. I wasn't off by much but that was more of pure luck I think. Now I kind of have an idea of what should be set where and why. The shoe fitting might of helped, my one cleat (my bad leg) was off by a little.

Day 18 off the bike...

PT got canceled on Wednesday when Lisa has a personal crisis. Probably a good thing since I was really pissed off since my knee hurt more that day than in the last week. Thursday was better and Friday was PT with Susan. Nice to switch it up some. Susan decided that I needed to do the strength training so we did that and I've done that every day since. My hips hurt pretty good, but that's where the weakness is. The idea is that my quads, calves, glutes, etc... got really strong from biking but some of the supporting muscles although not weak, are too weak to balance and causes me some additional problems. So here goes the strength training. Hopefully, the knee continues to get better. In the last day or two its been better than a while, but its still there. I'm starting to think the bike might be more of a mid-January thing, not a beginning.

PT Session #6; Day 12 off bike

Is it getting better? Maybe? How can I tell. It seems to hurt less after some sessions, its less of a general soreness and more localized sort of like when it started. I think this week might be important... Can I walk into PT on Friday pain free? Can I start a little weight training? Could I think about actually sitting on a bike again before January? Trying not to be over optimistic, been down that route before.

BTW, Icing your knee for 20 minutes 2-3 times a day is a complete PIA.

Also, bringing up hgh to your PT in passing elicits a very interesting response.

And if your interested in a really good read, take a look at this article. Its a first hand account about experimenting with hgh, testosterone, epo and steroids. A very interesting take on something that you hear a lot about now days from a very different angle.

Virtual Worlds and a 4 year old?!?!

Ok, so I don't BLOG very much about the kids since the wife's BLOG is so much better at that but this just blew my mind... Now I've heard about WebKinz before and thought it was an odd concept and luckily I won't have to deal with that for a while. I also kind of get virtual worlds even though I don't participate (who has the time!!!!). Heck, I even played D&D as a kid which was basically the same thing as World of Warcraft but 20+ years ago.

Anyway... we're at the dinner table and my FOUR year old starts talking about WebKinz. I guess one of her friends she plays with from preschool has one. Lynn in her typical better parent mold just starts asking non-judgmental questions. Angie goes off for a few minutes and perfectly describes what a virtual world is and what you do and why its fun. My jaw hit the ground... Maybe I should start checking to make sure this girl doesn't have a myspace page already. UGH!!!!

The world is a very different place now than when I was four I guess. Luckily the wife and I aren't technical idiots (yet!) and might have a chance to guide here on her choices... And I thought I didn't have to start worrying until she started dating!!!!

PT Session #5; Day 9 off bike

PT this morning, Lisa is optimistic that its getting better, I'm not so sure. She's been doing massage to it which makes it sore as can be for a day, but she thinks its helping. We shall see.

Never thought I'd be so happy to see it so wet every day. :)

Three sessions next week, I guess that will be the real test to see if its getting better. For now, stay off the leg.

That's just great

So PT this morning and the tissue isn't any less inflamed. Its not getting better or not getting better fast enough. Lisa says to stay off of it, no weights, no biking, no nothing. Great... Why won't this damn thing get better! 3 more weeks to January. Here's hoping to a better leg in 3 weeks so I can start doing some riding again.

Yes, it makes me grumpy (more than normal).

First Wheel Building Atempt

So Angie is at grandmas and Lynn is our Christmas shopping and Nick is taking a nap. What to do? Why not try to build my first wheel. I've had the parts for a while. The rim was from the FSR before I broke a few spokes and the hub at the shed. So for a few bucks its worth trying to build a backup wheel (Mavic 223 Rim, DT Swiss Comp Spokes and XT Disc hub).

Here are the parts.


Now I got the leading spokes in.


Had to redo the freewheel trailing spokes because I mislaced it, but its now all done and ready to be trued and dished.


I'll have to finish up later, Nick should be up any minute...

Doc followup

Doc looked at the MRI. The fluid (effusion) wasn't something that he was concerned about. The virax he found and doesn't think its anything, but says that I should get a Doppler sonogram to confirm.

Everything else looks great, no deterioration or anything so its more PT and hoping its better by end of the month.

FWIW, he wasn't real impressed with the baseball size bruise on the side of the knee from Wednesday night. Figures out of all my body parts I'd smack the same knee.

Another Picture - a better one

Taken by Ian who was on the ride.

Snow Picture - Gambrill Parking Lot

Yeah I know, not really a bike picture but you get the point.

Survived the Night Snow Ride...

What an experience... 7.3 miles in 2 hours and 40 minutes with a top speed of 12.4mph in 19 degree weather. Frozen pedals, frozen brakes, etc... Lots of death marches up the hills, anything over a slight incline was almost unrideable (SS didn't make a difference because of this). Some of the rideable parts made it all worth while, talk about an exercise in bike control.

Some pictures were taken, have to find out where they are.

MRI Results

Got lots of pictures, neat looking but I can't see anything. The findings are...

There is a moderate sized joint effusion present. THere is no focal marrow signal abnormality. The anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments and medial and lateral collateral ligaments appear normal in signal and morphology. The quadriceps and patellar tendons appear intact. The medial and lateral menisci are normal in signal and morphology. Posterior to the popliteal artery and vein and the popliteal fossa in the fat of three posterior muscle compartment is a heterogeneous low signal T1 high signal structure which may represent a varix.

Hmm, time to do some googling before seeing the doctor on Friday.

Are you nuts!?!?

So tonight is the Gambrill night ride and I'm going but I'm bringing the winter bike since its snowing. I just don't feel like dealing with frozen gears, busted suspensions, etc...

So...
Rigid in Gambrill.... that's new and is going to hurt
Single Speed in Gambrill... that's new and is going to hurt
Snow... that's new, is it that much harder?

Rocks covered with leaves covered with snow... Yikes!

Hopefully I can get up there since the 6 mile commute to work took 90 minutes.

Knee Update

So where am I... Went to the doc again on Friday and we discussed a plan. Physical Therapy for 2-3x week for 4 weeks. Also getting a MRI on Tuesday since the knee was swelled in an area unrelated to the ITB. Next Friday I'll see the doc again and discuss the MRI. Not expecting anything to show, but its nice to cover you basis.

So the first PT went well. Lisa did the consult in the beginning and really quickly noticed my left leg wasn't strong like the right. I hadn't noticed, but did notice when she did her resistance testing. Looks like I've favored it some... Hmm... Its not weak, but it might be aggravating the problem some. So some electro-shock therapy, some stretching and some weights and off I went. Next appt on Wednesday. I going to add the strength training to my stretching I've been doing and hopefully by Christmas this will be behind me. More later... Anyone have any MRI reading experience? :)

Black Hill Night Ride

Thanks to Dave for getting this setup. I have to say that Black Hill Regional Park was as cool of a night ride area as I expected it to be. Fast, dark and fun. Saw dozens of deer... You'd come over the hills and there would be all these little glowing eyes looking at you. Really neat. We also saw what we thought was a skunk, it moved pretty quick and didn't get a good look at it. Only issue is one of the guys turned back w/o telling us so we were riding one part of the trail a few times looking for a mountain biker that went off the trail, smashed their light and knocked themselves out... Always tell people when you bail!!!! Anyway, looking forward to a few more of these before they close them down for hunting.