Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Wednesday Workout Update - Swim, Bike...

No run.  Not yet...but I am itching to get out there and go!  Another few weeks and hopefully that will be a reality.

The pool has been great - lately the mornings have been quite chilly but the gym has upped the heat to 84 degrees, which makes it pretty easy to slip in.  I'm already back up to swimming 100 lengths, which was my minimum before the surgery - except that I'm only doing 40 lengths of backstroke/sidestroke, instead of my usual 60...but who knows, maybe by the end of the week I'll be there.  The rest is kickboard, with the other strokes sandwiched in the middle.  To be perfectly honest, my ankle does start hurting about midway through my swimming workout, and continues to bother me the rest of the day, so I'll be checking with my doctor later on today (I have another follow up appointment) to see if this is a normal part of the healing.

I also rode my bike last week - pool buddy Nancy wasn't going to be there on Thursday, and since most of what I do right now is kickboard, that can get pretty boring with no one to talk to, so I skipped the pool and went for a bike ride around my neighborhood!  It felt good to get on my pretty pink bike - I added some air to her tires and off I went.  (I will not mention listening to the torturous cries of one very sad dog who got left behind...but I couldn't chance having to make a quick stop because of him - my goal is to not move backward with this recovery)

After the first couple of tentative pedal rotations, my ankle settled in nicely and I was only bothered a couple of times when I went over a rough bump - but all in all, it was a great way to stretch out my leg muscles.  I rode for about 25 minutes - my bike odometer said I covered 4.3 miles.  I felt great but decided to stop, going along with my "easing back into exercise" program.  Funny thing - I was moving so fast and felt so free while I was riding, but as soon as I got off the bike, I was back to my limping, clompy walk...yep, there's my reality.  Oh well.  This will all be a thing of the past pretty soon.

It feels good to be moving more.  Now, if I could just put on my running shoes (ok, with a matching outfit) and go for a little run, well, that would be amazing.

22 comments:

  1. You are making improvements every week Shelley and I'm happy for you.

    I had to laugh at Paco crying because you left him behind. So recognizable :)

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  2. Sounds like you're coming along fine. Glad you are getting back in the "saddle"!!! Don't over do it though.

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  3. So glad to see you starting to work out again as part of your recovery. Go Shelley go!!

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  4. Sounds like you're easing into exercise just great, Shelley! Hope all goes well with your follow up appt!

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  5. Good to hear that it's going well! :-)

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  6. Ha ha ha - I love the "with a matching outfit" admission. You are so cute!

    Bike riding is THE BEST. I love how it makes me feel like a little kid. You are so right - it makes one feel free.

    Way to go on the easing back into exercise. You are doing everything right : )

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  7. Very excited for you! And your little pink bike.

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  8. Paco has gotten 1000% spoiled with all the time you've been home lately!

    Glad you're swimming and biking. Aren't you amazed at how fast your swimming fitness came back? Muscle memory baby.

    Running is right around the corner, for sure.

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  10. You'll get back to running before you know it - I think it would be awesome to ride a bike with Paco in the front basket!

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  11. So glad you are making improvements. You will be running again before you know it!

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  12. Nice job easing back into it. Can't wait for your first run and matchy outfit!

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  13. Oh dangit! Now I want to ride my bike! I will have to put more than a little air into the tires to get it going. I am so impressed with your tenacity to get back into exercise. You're motivating me to do better this post-op period.

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  14. :ears perking up: Biking?? Yay!!

    Cycling is really a great exercise. Glad to see you back on Petunia (that is the name, right?)!

    Healing, healing. It takes a long time.

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  15. Love to hear that you are getting better! Also glad to hear that you're getting a checkup and get to ask about the pain during swimming. It's important to be hurrying slowly and in the right way!

    Go you!

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  16. Sounds like your moving in the right directions. Kudos on the bike ride. I just put the air in my bike and I am loving the cooler weather.

    Can't wait to see you in that running outfit,complete with shoes!

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  17. A new accomplishment each day! It seems like you are on the road to recovery!

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  18. Gah, I remember my first mountain bike ride after my last ankle sprain - with you on the pain of bumpy areas!

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  19. Biking is definitely a great way to go and by the time your ankle heals up, you'll ready to hit the triathlons.

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  20. Yes! You are so ready to do something with your energy! And that sounds like just the ticket!

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  21. OMG! I love you! I mean I LOVE your blog. I just turned 30 & am doing a similar thing to you. x

    http://caramelandcocoa.blogspot.com/

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  22. Sounds as if you are going ahead in leaps and bounds... and how lovely to get out on your bike! A nice change from the pool I suspect!

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