30th June 2014 – 13 weeks post-surgery
Over a month since my last post and the good weather coupled
with my increasing activity being the main cause for the gap. After I saw the
physio at the end of May. I had a big event (TriAthy) which I was pretty
involved in (I was chief marshal) which meant I was on my feet for a long day and
had to do a lot of walking. The ankle got increasingly swelled through the day
and by the end of the day it was pretty swollen and sore. The next day it was
still swollen and sore and it was only 3 or 4 days later that it was back to
normal and I could start back on the physio properly. Lesson learned was that
just walking and standing for a long day put a lot of strain on it.
Anyway, after I recovered, I was able to crack on with the
physio double heal raises and single heal raises supported. I was also doing
step ups and step downs. I was back in to see the physio on the 11th
of June and she was happy with progress. She continued to get into the calf and
try and get the knots out of the muscles and also break down the scar tissue on
the wound itself. Only one new exercise – balance on the bad leg.
We then had a week in France on a family holiday which was
fine. Went down the water slide a few times with the kids which I don’t think
was great for the injury. However, had plenty of time to do the physio
exercises and I was on my feet much more than I would have been than if I had
been working. Overall, it felt good all week and it didn't swell or feel sore
despite the increased activity. We arrived back from holidays on Saturday and I
went for a decent cycle on Sunday (1 hr 40).
Last week was a busy week. Physio on Mon and Consultant on
Thurs. However, when I headed off to work on Monday morning I felt a lot
stiffer and sore. I think this was partly due to be being back in work shoes
after being in cross trainers all week on holidays and partly due to a busy
Sunday including the cycle. Anyway the physio picked up on this and wasn't
happy. She did notice that after massaging the calf and wound site that it
freed up a god bit and she thinks I’m tensing the tendon too much when I’m not
using it. Anyway, I was given the same exercises and we would see what the
consultant would say on Thursday.
In to see the consultant on Thursday morning, he was really
happy with my progress. He said that normally you wouldn't be doing single heal
raises until 16 weeks so I was 3 or 4 weeks ahead of where I should be. He
stressed though that it wasn't a race and I still needed time for the strength to
come back. He gave me the green light to cycle away as much as I can and said that
I could start to jog in 6 to 8 weeks’ time but said that I wouldn't be able to
go fast or change pace until about 3 months. He also said I didn't need to see
him again until I get called for day surgery to have the plate and screws
removed from the previous break which will probably be later this year.
Activity wise I have continued to swim 2 or 3 times a week
and have been building up my cycling from 1 hr to 1hr 40. I notice with
swimming that I’m quite slow and out of shape and I think that’s as a result of
my overall fitness being poor and not doing enough swimming to bring this up (I’d
normally do this through running and cycling). I’m also find the cycles really
hard with no speed or stamina so I think I just need to stay plugging away. It’s
pretty frustrating having to start from such a low base again.
Yesterday, was Ironman Austria – the race I was planning to
do and was training for when I did the injury so it was a poignant weekend for
me. However, It was my triathlon Club
(Trilogy)’s weekend away in Kilkee for Hell of The West Triathlon. I was
planning to go anyway for weekend but a swim relay spot became free during the
week and I decided I’d have a go. I really enjoyed the swim, it was calm, sunny
and the water crystal clear. I felt tired on the swim because my swimming isn’t
up to scratch but arrived back on the beach in 25 mins and was happy with that.
50 people must have run past me as I walked up the beach including a few people
I thought would have been much faster than me. Anyway, very happy to be back
participating just 13 weeks post-surgery. Thanks to the Kenco Angels for having
me in their team and all the trilogy crew for a great weekend. Now to get my
swimming and cycling back into shape!
 |
| Team Kenco Angels |
 |
| Saw this in Aldi last week and thought it would have been prefect for me immediately post surgery when I had to keep my leg elevated. Please note these are not my legs!! |
No comments:
Post a Comment