Week 4 - MR Not...MR Too...MRI!

I owe my mother-in-law an apology.  Years ago she needed an MRI for something - don't remember - but she couldn't hack being shoved into the tiny space of the MRI machine and had to reschedule for an "open-air" MRI.  I just needed to shove my leg into it and I didn't like it - kind of intimidating for bit but I got used to it.  Didn't think it would bother me at all.  I guess it's the noise, I dunno but I didn't like it.  So, Doc says the MRI indicates a nicked miniscus and some arthritis below the knee cap.  No scope recommended and he gave me an anti-inflammatory if I needed it.  So, I'm cleared to run.  Lots of additional cost and delay for seemingly nothing but at least it puts my mind at ease and removes an excuse.  Excuses are killers to new exercisers like me.

To prepare for running I have been reading lots of running magazines and was pretty surprised how things have changed.  Back 10 years ago or more the shoes were built to cushion the heel strike, which was how we were trained to reduce strain on the knees and joints.  Now shoes are being made for a flat foot fall with a recommended short running gait, as if you are running gingerly barefooted.  In fact, there is a new rage of minimalist shoes that look like foot gloves with no real cushioning.  Still staying strong with the gym but no cycling for a while with camping trips scheduled on two of the next 3 weekends.  Garner state park this weekend.  I did go on an hour-long bike ride on my mountain bike at Garner but not the same.  Very hilly for one thing.  Staying on track for getting into shape though.

Here is a big part of the reason for getting back into good health.  Keeping up with the kids at Garner State Park.

Kiah on the rope swing into the Frio River.

Austin floating on the Frio.

Asa playing with her little friend Julia.

Week 3 - Rolling Again

Had my first ride with the Northwest Cycle club yesterday morning.  Pretty intimidating to be out there with about 100 other riders know what they're doing and you're kinda lost.  But they were really friendly and helped me figure it where I needed to be.  My first real ride in bike shoes (vs. clips) and still not used to changing gears with the brake levers.  The group is well coordinated with a designated ride leader who brings coolers of water and gatorade and various snacks/fruit.  The riders all begin to muster just before 7:30am and the ride leader calls out pace groups with the faster pace groups going out first.  I hung back to go with the last pace group, the "New Riders".  There were about 15 of us and we took it real easy (13-14mph?) for 20 miles.  I met two riders who are experienced but one was coming back from an injury.  Sarah and her husband, Nick.  Really nice people.  Sarah tells me that the next fastest pace group - 14 to 16mph are called the "liar's group" because they never go that slow.  Anyway, the 20 mile ride was fun and no problem, even with a bit of a spring wind to contend with on the way back.  Felt good at the end - my butt just needs to get used to being in the saddle again.
In other news, I had an x-ray taken of my right knee, which told us.....nothing.  Doc said to expect that unless something really messed up was floating in there.  So, next step is an MRI of my knee.  Keeping on with my gym work outs.  Starting to feel a bit stronger - going to 3 sets instead of 2.  Tried to do a step/aerobics class which almost killed me.  Not ready for that yet.  Lost 3 lbs this week which has me ahead of my goal schedule.

Week 2 - Happy Birthday to ME!!!

Yes, today is my birthday.  To celebrate it and also to help me with my goal of getting back in shape via triathlon I decided to get a new road bike.  And it's a beauty!  A 2011 Specialized Allez Elite Compact, which is aluminum with a carbon fork.  My old bike was a steel chromium alloy bike with the shifters down low on the frame.  This bike has the new style shifters on the brake handles and it much lighter.  Here's a picture I found on the web.

I also got some Look pedals, bike shoes, cyclometer, Polar water bottles, and water bottle cages to complete the setup.  I've been told my old bike is a collector for velodromes but I may just keep it for my son when he grows up.  I can't wait to try it out next week at the Northwest Cycle Saturday rides at Zube park.  I rode it around the neighborhood a little.  My house is at the bottom of a little hill where the roads rises slowly for 1 mile - wore me out just getting up it.  Man I'm outta shape.  Hopefully a 20 miler will be alright.  Meanwhile, I'm pretty consistent with hitting the gym and tracking my calories.  I don't find it too hard to maintain a calorie count in the 1,800 per day range.  I've decided to go see a doctor about my knee.  I want to be sure not to shred it once I start "running".  I've lost about 4-5 lbs so far.  So far so good in sticking with the goal of 2 lbs per week.