Just a quick video of some singletrack action with fellow Cat 1 MTB'er Brad Lako. I had a lot of fun and I finally got some GoPro video of me riding. Enjoy!
Hey Alex! I came across your blog via slowtwich forums for knee surgeries! I am also an avid triathlete/runner and can not imagine not doing all this stuff. I see you have had a few knee ops. and you seem to be doing awesome! I would love to hear some advice from you or just talk with you about competing and being involved in tri's/running post surgery. I had a acl-repair and a lateral meniscus repair 5 months ago and am now looking at facing microfracture or some related type of surgery because I have grade III to possibly IV breakdown of the articular cartilage on the lateral femoral condyle and tibal plateau. How is your knee feeling? Would you recommend the procedure? Any tips would be great.
Yes, my knee saga seems never ending. I tore my ACL, LCL, and lateral/medial meniscus in 2005 in a motocross accident and I've had to have work done every few years since. The latest was the microfracture back in January. I re-tore my ACL last summer biking but I didn't stop racing. In fact I did Ironman Lake Placid as well as other races with the torn ACL. Doing so caused the cartilage tear. I went in for a "cleanup" but woke up with Microfracture. The surgery itself is not that bad. The recovery is what is difficult especially if your an active person. When they say it takes 6 months to recover they mean it. While I ran early and thought I was better, looking back now I wish I wouldn't have done it. I couldn't run enough to get much benefit so it was just stupid to do. I can run now but I've chosen to pretty much quit triathlon and just stick with cycling. I'm tired of having knee surgeries every few years. I would have the surgery if I was you but make sure you have the time to do the recovery. Your on crutches the first 4 weeks after the surgery. Then the time away from running can be mentally painful. It was difficult at first but I was eventually able to put it behind me. Luckily I've been pretty successful in bike racing to keep myself happy. I might do Xterra in the future but I'm doing triathlon for the most part. Good luck with the surgery. Remember microfracture is sort of like filling potholes in the road. It's not the same as it was but it's better than a pothole.
I hear ya on the knee saga. It definatley is what it feels like for me too. & Yea, the recovery/rehab from these procedures is frustrating and very mentally painful. I was thinking it would be a min. of 6 months before I could run post the microfracture. Maybe taking up another hobby in the meantime will be really helpful and also getting into biking more (reason for a new bike, I'll take it!). I keep thinking that if I only had an acl problem this wouldn't be as big of a deal. It's this articular cartilage and meniscus that is so difficult to treat and heal. Good luck with the biking and staying fit :-) Its nice to hear your story. Thanks!
Hey Alex! I came across your blog via slowtwich forums for knee surgeries! I am also an avid triathlete/runner and can not imagine not doing all this stuff. I see you have had a few knee ops. and you seem to be doing awesome! I would love to hear some advice from you or just talk with you about competing and being involved in tri's/running post surgery. I had a acl-repair and a lateral meniscus repair 5 months ago and am now looking at facing microfracture or some related type of surgery because I have grade III to possibly IV breakdown of the articular cartilage on the lateral femoral condyle and tibal plateau. How is your knee feeling? Would you recommend the procedure? Any tips would be great.
ReplyDeleteCourtney
Hey Courtney,
DeleteYes, my knee saga seems never ending. I tore my ACL, LCL, and lateral/medial meniscus in 2005 in a motocross accident and I've had to have work done every few years since. The latest was the microfracture back in January. I re-tore my ACL last summer biking but I didn't stop racing. In fact I did Ironman Lake Placid as well as other races with the torn ACL. Doing so caused the cartilage tear. I went in for a "cleanup" but woke up with Microfracture. The surgery itself is not that bad. The recovery is what is difficult especially if your an active person. When they say it takes 6 months to recover they mean it. While I ran early and thought I was better, looking back now I wish I wouldn't have done it. I couldn't run enough to get much benefit so it was just stupid to do. I can run now but I've chosen to pretty much quit triathlon and just stick with cycling. I'm tired of having knee surgeries every few years. I would have the surgery if I was you but make sure you have the time to do the recovery. Your on crutches the first 4 weeks after the surgery. Then the time away from running can be mentally painful. It was difficult at first but I was eventually able to put it behind me. Luckily I've been pretty successful in bike racing to keep myself happy. I might do Xterra in the future but I'm doing triathlon for the most part. Good luck with the surgery. Remember microfracture is sort of like filling potholes in the road. It's not the same as it was but it's better than a pothole.
I hear ya on the knee saga. It definatley is what it feels like for me too. & Yea, the recovery/rehab from these procedures is frustrating and very mentally painful. I was thinking it would be a min. of 6 months before I could run post the microfracture. Maybe taking up another hobby in the meantime will be really helpful and also getting into biking more (reason for a new bike, I'll take it!). I keep thinking that if I only had an acl problem this wouldn't be as big of a deal. It's this articular cartilage and meniscus that is so difficult to treat and heal. Good luck with the biking and staying fit :-) Its nice to hear your story. Thanks!
ReplyDelete