Training was going well enough, not great, but well enough that I could still have a good season. Last Monday I started the first phase of my full training schedule (28 days of pain). With everything going great on the first day (3500swim, 1.5hour ride, 45min run) I had a few minutes to shoot some hoops before lifting weights. Bad decision. I was schooling these HS kids in a great game of 21 when I landed on Tall Boy’s foot and WRECKED my ankle.
So after three days on crutches, and the rest of the week hobbling around like a gimp, I have officially lost my mind. Cant run, cant swim, cant ride, cant do much of shit till this gets better. I try to go out on the crutches for an hour a day but my armpits are RAW. Sat behind the stationary bike in the gym and cranked it with my arms for a bit. Trying just about ANYTHING to get my HR up for an hour a day but I running out of ideas. Anyone ever rent a wheelchair for aerobic work? I was thinking about that.
I guess this gives me time to work on some other projects…
Can’t you find a gym will a hand cycle in? There is a life fitness one at my gym which I used for rehab when my back problem ruled out lower body or back employment. Man, that is hard work!
As for your mind, just think about where Chip might be right now to bring it back into perspective.
Man that sucks, sorry to hear it. Could you possibly swim with a bouy so you don’t have to kick? What about riding your bike on the trainer with one leg? Does that sound ridiculous?
Your armpits really shouldn’t be bearing the weight, they should be supported by the side of your ribcage a little below the armpit. make sure they are sized right. (For real) Maybe you can post a picture of your crutch position and we can critique the fit on the forum (just kidding)
Take off the rubber thingys on the top of the crutches and replace them with an old t-shirt. Just tape them on so they dont move around. That will help a ton with the rubbing. Also, they shouldnt sit in your armpit, they should be lower like the previous post pointed out. I’m not a doctor but 5 years of college rugby meant lots of time in crutches.
Sorry to hear about the ankle. Sprained or broken?
I understand where you are coming from - I broke my ankle about 8 years ago and had surgery and it totally sucks. You can spin it to a positive though.
You might try doing lots of crunches and some upper body work in the gym. I know upper body does not help tri much, but at least you’ll have something to do. If you are not married then you can use the crutches to your advantage big time
I’d go to PT if your insurance covers it and you are not stuck in a cast. They will kick your ass and get you up and rolling again.
Armpits was just an easy way of saying “the sides of my ribs” Got two big cherrys on my sides. I’ll work on those position pic’s.
I’m worried about wrecking my BB on my brand new (makes it even worse that I cant ride) Cervelo 2.5 if I ride to much with one leg.
Hand cycle is good. I think that there is one at one of the gyms that I use. Been lifting weights but I’m a bit afraid of getting too swolen to run effectively once I can. I have a hard time with putting on unwanted muscle. I’m HUGE Grrrrrrrrrrr!!!
Tried swimming but the angle of the sprain is strange and the force of the water even PUSHING on my ankle is worse tham trying to run. I’m getting a brace tomorrow that should hold the ankle in place so I can swim and run in the pool. Oh! maybe I can swim in place! I’ll try that in the morning.
SO is it taboo to use a bike like a R2.5 as a clothes drying rack?
No, I haven’t seen your mind, but I’ll tell you what to do with it when it turns up – convince it to NEVER become involved in antics with youth between March and November. I teach elementary school kids, and at least several times a year I get coerced by the kids to race them, or play tag with them, or push them on the swings, or kick the kickball to them, or play catch with them. Invariably I wiil tweak this or strain that, and I’ll suffer and be grouchy for a few days until I return to normal. Then, in good time, I repeat the mistake. However, i’m getting better at staying within my limits. It’s amazing how I can do all my workouts so readily and mostly painlessly, but end up impingeing my shoulder pushing a 55-lb kid on a swing, or twang my groin avoiding being tagged. STAY AWAY FROM THE KIDS! THEY ONLY SEEM HARMLESS!! And I’m sorry that I don’t have any advice for right now. Just remember, though, that this too will pass.
Thats how it went down for me too. I use shooting hoops as a warm up or cool down from swimming or lifting. I LOVE shooting around and can do it for hours. So these two wicked tall HS dudes come up and ask for a game of 21. Now, I havent played against another human being for about 15 years. 8th grade I think it was.
I was totally supprised at how wall I was able to take it to these guys. They had all sorts of fancy dribbling skills that blew my mind, but couldn’t shoot worth a damn. I’m up 18,6,4 when my time runs out. “OK fellas, I have to go lift weights before I work, Thanks for the game!”…“One more point, one more point!” they say. NEVER do ANYTHING one last time. Naturally, going for the put back and the win, I wreck my ankle. Did I make it? Nope. Took the shot, twisted my ankle and one of the dudes hits a one handed put back to take me back down to 0. Lost the game, and 1/4 of the seasons races.
Hang in there, bro. I empathize. I have been out 5 weeks following foot surgery. VASA, upper body weights and some core work are still available to me. Keep your nutrition tight! I am also lifting with my good leg.
As a former serious bballer, I’ve wrecked my ankles so many times it’s not even funny. Believe it or not, I wouldn’t bike or swim until you can run. Swimming will stress it the most, and even a buoy won’t keep you from stretching and reinjuring it. I’ve never figured out why, but cycling is damn tough on them as well.
Honestly, in terms of keeping muscles strong and getting your ankle back, I would simply walk. Just walk. Start with whatever you can do. If you can do more the next day, do it. Lots of ice. I walked for about 10 weeks coming back from a foot injury once, and had better form than when I took 4 weeks off and pool ran. Your cardio will bounce back quick - don’t even stress on that one. Walk my friend. It’s something. I was averaging 10 miles a day at one point and actually felt strong as could be.
I’ve been able to do some strange things to keep a touch of fitness. Water running I can do but HATE. 20min is my max.
I’ve been thinking about heading out on walkabouts. I did on the other day for about 3 hours and that feels ok. Problem I am running into is tha it gets better, than it gets worse. I’m not training on it other than walking around but it seems to be going in waves.
Other problem. I’m hungry! used to eating what I want, when I want, but nooooooooo, daddy’s getting fat! I even quit drinking! ACK! Daddy has a hard time without his booze! I feel like a supermodel or something. I gaze longingly at other peoples food then quip “no!” when they ask me if I want a bite. cant I just have a cheeseburger?
Kitty, I’ll bet you have a NICE yard to weed in. I wish I had a yard. My GF is buying a dorm room…I mean condo… this weekend so I’ll probably spend a good amount of time there. Sure wish we had a yard!..and a dog!..named Rosco!
(just kidding)