OK,
I am a 2 weeks out from my microdiscectomy. I am out of pain 100%. I am shedding the couple of lbs I gained waiting for surgery. And I am walking a everyday.
I think I am trying too much too soon, as I have been walking 3 miles a day with no issues, then out of the blue…I have “pins and needles” and some numbness in both feet.
Anyway, I digress.
It occurs to me that the best possible chance I have at coming back 100% is to stay off the running for a while. I was going to start running again in 8-10 weeks, but I think I am going to go more like 6-8 months.
So, after I first herniated my disc I spent a lot of time on the trainer and the bike with out issues.
I want to do some Ultra Cycling stuff, after I heal some. I hope to qualify fro RAAM in a couple years.
It seems there are tons of roadies here on slowtwitch, did you all start in cycling and switch to Tri? Did anyone here start as a lover of running?
Has anyone made the switch? I know some people love the bike much more than the run, why?
Your knees don’t hurt, your ankles don’t hurt, you can go WAY farther and see more things, you can recover so much easier and do it all again the next day. You can increase your mileage by leaps and bounds with MUCH less of a chance of injury, you stay much cooler. Did I say your knees don’t hurt lol
Ok now return the favor please
Now sell me on running because I really need to run faster.
I initially replied to your post-op thread…I have been in the same boat.
Everyone is different but cycling gives me more fits now post-op then running does. I can run everyday (on a track/trail) and don’t even get a hint of anything but I have to be very careful of my bike position.
Just like pre-op your body will tell you what you will be doing…it is probably best to sit and wait before making too many future plans. I know how you think though…I was the same way…trying to make lemons into lemonade!
If you want to improve one of your disciplines I would focus on the pool…one year out and I have become a better swimmer…my disco/water aerobics isn’t bad either!
OK,
I am a 2 weeks out from my microdiscectomy. I am out of pain 100%. I am shedding the couple of lbs I gained waiting for surgery. And I am walking a everyday.
I think I am trying too much too soon, as I have been walking 3 miles a day with no issues, then out of the blue…I have “pins and needles” and some numbness in both feet.
Anyway, I digress.
It occurs to me that the best possible chance I have at coming back 100% is to stay off the running for a while. I was going to start running again in 8-10 weeks, but I think I am going to go more like 6-8 months.
So, after I first herniated my disc I spent a lot of time on the trainer and the bike with out issues.
I want to do some Ultra Cycling stuff, after I heal some. I hope to qualify fro RAAM in a couple years.
It seems there are tons of roadies here on slowtwitch, did you all start in cycling and switch to Tri? Did anyone here start as a lover of running?
Has anyone made the switch? I know some people love the bike much more than the run, why?
If you hang out here on ST enough, you would start to wonder why anyone bothers with the swim and run!
To the OP, like you I have had back problems that have forced me to give up running for the most part. It was and is still my first love, for many different reasons, but unfortunately, it’s something that I can do now only on a very limited basis.
Cycling is what I do for fun and fitness. There are many positives to cycling. As I get older, the thing that I like the most about it is that even when you are not in great shape, you can still go out, cover a decent bit of ground and feel like you have accomplished something. For me this only happens when you have a large amount of running fitness miles done and you are in great running shape. The fun can be extended even more for cycling, when cycling in a group - I have often jumped in 100K group rides when I thought I was in terrible bike shape but still managed to hang on with the group and finish the whole 100K. Again, there is NO WAY you could do something like this with running.
A bike is a WAAAAAAAYYYYYYY cooler toy than a new pair of running shoes. I’m told that if you do it right you actually can justify like 5-7 really nice bikes.
Well,
Its a little hard right now for me to regale you with all the glory and enjoyment that my running has brought me, since it had put me in the hospital and in a lot of pain as of lately
(really, it was my poor posture and weak core)
But…
With running you don’t need to stay as alert to your surroundings,so you can “go away” into your thoughts more. That is the big thing for me. If you lose yourself on the bike you will get run over! I really enjoy the “zen like” experience of it. (and I am NOT a “Zen type” of guy)
It is easy! I travel a lot for work, and I can grab the shoes and go! It is simple and basic, no gadgets and hardware. You never think “that is one fast runner, I wish i had shoes like that”
Racing. I love to race and compete. I can find a race almost anywhere anytime.
For me, the ultimate aspect of cycling comes on smaller group rides when 4 or 5 strong guys get working together in a rotating paceline going several mph faster than any one of them could go it alone. When the group is riding fast and rotating smoothly, it’s like being part of the Blue Angels precision flying team. It’s one of the greatest sensations you can have while earthbound.
After that, any time I find myself on form and get that feeling like I can just fly down the road … I love that feeling. It’s worth all the hard work it takes to reach that point.
I was a lover of running before I got into cycling. They’re both different, of course.
Running is so much easier logistically and timewise. You can go bust out a workout in 30 minutes if that’s all you have, and you only need shoes. You can do it practically anywhere.
Cycling, on the other hand, takes way more time to train for, and a lot of gear.
But it’s sooo worth it. Riding a bike, you can get up before dawn to eat, hop on in the first light, and finish up in the next state when the sun goes down. You can pass cars descending down mountain roads. You can recover a lot quicker from it than from running, so you can do a ride with some buddies where you completely trash yourself sprinting for arbitrary points along the way, go home and eat… and do it all over again the next day.
Plus, I think nearly all males have that inner gearhead, and cycling is very satisfying for that, too. Quote from one female collegiate champion I know: “I’ve gone on road trips with all guys before. I know what they talk about when we’re not around: gear.”
I’m told that if you do it right you actually can justify like 5-7 really nice bikes.
I need a page from that book…! My wife just can’t seem to arrive to that same conclusion!
That does sound really cool!
I have never been in a group ride. In fact I tried to hook up with a couple of large groups on a century ride did in Buena Vista at like 10,000 feet, and they drop me like a bitch!
But I played baseball and teams sports in my earlier days, and I do miss that camaraderie. I need to find some peeps to ride with!
Thanks everyone! This is exactly what I was looking for!
Every post has given me something that speaks to me.
Thank you.
The good news is…I found out this is a very normal thing. The strength I lost in my right foot has returned SUPER quick. The numbness can linger for months, so I hear.
Overall I am ahead of the curve. I am cutting back on the miles though, just in case. PATIENCE DAVID! (what the hell is wrong with me)?
Hey, sorry you’re getting numbness again maybe cut back on the walking miles a bit and see if it’ll go away? Being patient sucks but it works.
When the group is riding fast and rotating smoothly, it’s like being part of the Blue Angels precision flying team. It’s one of the greatest sensations you can have while earthbound.
Agreed. One of the true great thrills and sensations of cycling. Our group had one of these rides last summer. Everyone was “on” that day. 100K just seemed to fly by. Egos checked in in the parking lot. Everyone working together. Longer pulls for the stronger guys. Shorter pulls for the not so strong. Best ride all summer.
I was very interested to read that other people have had Microdiscectomys and have returned to cycling and running. I have had 2 Microdiscectomys 7 weeks apart. Level L5S1 no need to explain the pain. Anyway I haven’t run for 9 months due to feeling low and scared. I have ridden my bike a few times doing 30 to 60 km on weekends (removed aero bars). I haven’t competed in any triathlons since herniation and surgery. I have done 4 half ironmans and many half marathons before injury.
I have been surfing the web for triathletes who have gone through this kind of surgery and after 12 months I have finely found this web page. You are all giving me hope to start doing some training again. Even if I don’t race, I would like to keep fit and get firm once again. I was in server pain for 10 months before surgery and know I am pain free. The fear is always there, you only have one back so take care of it. I am doing core stability as they say keep that strong when you ride and run.
Once the rain stops I will be cycling again. I will also start running again on soft grass.
Thanks again for posting has this gives me confidence
maybe cut back on the walking miles a bit and see if it’ll go away? Being patient sucks but it works.