Monday, March 1, 2010

Welcome March.

March has begun. That means two things. March madness and ESPN. Basketball. I love watching college basketball.
Speaking of which. This marks the 9th anniv. of my ACL knee surgery in 2001. I used to play college ball – fast forward 9 years and here we are. November last year, went to a concert and acted as if I was 18 (and totally worth it) and the knee acted as if it was 65.

It aint always pretty. meet my right knee.
November 2009 was all about -ice ice baby- days.
So, for the last 3 months I made a point to take it 'easy' meaning instead of running around the city all day everyday on my bicycle, I cut back to every other day and gave in to ride muni occasionally and/or walk steep hills (which are quite abundant around here, right). Last month, after many weeks of taking it easy, it came together and the knee was not an issue anymore.
It took a lot of patience to learn to step back and take a ride offer from a friend, cab or bus from time to time. Damn, I'm way too used to my bicycle but my knee came first and I'm glad that period of time is done.

I'm happy to announce that period is over.
butter legs
butter legs
Anyways. Last Wednesday marked my 3rd butterlap (a 18mi. weekly ride) this year and that silly knee feels great, being in shape is another story, but easy does it. It's quite a hard loop after takin a break. Mellow and fun. Over the last 2 years, butterlap has built my confidence as a rider because it is not a rushed ride and the people and peeps that ride it, are super.

Thought I'd share because going through that surgery when I was a teenager was pretty tough. There could be more physically challenging scenarios, this I know, but having an injured knee is a huge pain in the ass.
Do you have past injuries that come back to you from time to time? Fortunately it has only been twice in 9 years that I experience massive discomfort. My knee is something I respect plenty and I'm glad it's back to feeling normal. Because it is the Frenchie's power clutch ;-)

because you're mine. i ride the line
because you're mine. i ride the line | This past Friday - dressed for the man in black's bday
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♥ Cheers to healthy legs!! -m.

8 comments:

  1. Meli,
    Yikes, that pic. of your knee looks nasty. I'm glad
    you're feeling better and back to norm. It must
    have been frustrating to deal with.
    I broke my fibula two years ago, living by yourself
    on crutches=no fun, but you get pretty resourceful.
    anyway,
    Who would have guessed you played college ball?
    Is that for real?
    I'm totally amazed and impressed!!!
    Cheers to healthy legs.... OH YAAAA !!!!!
    Jon C.

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  2. Fantastic that your knee is well and fine again!
    I'm with Jon, I would never have guessed in a million years you played college football!!Wow!

    Agreed, about old injuries. I have a problematic knee as well. So if I take care of it now (hopefully)I won't have to get knee replacement surgery later down the road... I always take it easy, I'm very non competitive in the bike lane. I'm so meandering and easy going that I am always the last one to get anywhere. It's okay with me :)

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  3. It's frustrating to deal with reoccurring injuries! As we get older (but still feeling like our young selves) our bodies don't cooperate like they used to. I'm glad your little biking break paid off and that your knee is tip top again.

    Also, butterlap sounds amazing....will have to partake one of these Wednesdays

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  4. Hi Meli

    Love your blog! I never commented before but I can relate to the wobbly knee thing. It is really a pain in the arse. I had ACL surgery 2 years ago following a skiing accident. Thankfully the surgery is much less invasive now than it used to be. I had many hours of great physical therapy (insurance here in Germany pays for everything)so that I was back on the bike after only 2 months and back on the slopes after 1 year. But it also took at least a whole year until I halfway regained my confidence in the knee. I'm still dancing in a quiet corner in the back when I go to concerts :) Anyway, what I wanted to say is that it's always going to be a soft spot but excercises that specifically strengthen the leg muscles really helped and I'm determined to keep on doing them most likely until forever (although I'm way less disciplined in other areas of my life :)

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  5. Hi Meli, I'm definitely reminded of old injuries and past surgeries related to sports from time to time, but these are souvenirs of pushing myself hard and trying to do my best, sometimes in competition with others. I don't enjoy the pain at all, but riding the bike almost always feels better for me, and can only help with the conditioning and coordination to help prevent reinjury.

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  6. This is what I find funny about knees- after 4 surgeries between 17 and 21 I was told I would need a knee replacement by the time I was 30. Well, I am approaching 40 and that knee is great. My "good" knee... it likes to talk to me. I think it should shut up : )

    I am glad your knee is feeling better, too. We have more fun when the knees all work!

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  7. jon/ yes i love basketball, now i jsut watch it and enjoy that plenty :D
    knees are so sensitive, yeah gotta take good care fo them!

    riding pretty/ thanks for your notes, hope your knee does well - surgery eeeghhg, yea take super good care of yourself so you don;t have to if at all possible <3

    dawn/ oyy!! yes you know?! they hunt you back those suckers – yes having a break was pretty hard to discipline myself to to just "oh ill be there in 20 – and off on my bike"
    and yes! it would be lovely to have you join one of the butterlaps - much fun :D
    thanks for stopping by, it's great to hear from you -xo.m

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  8. karen/ oh my fellow ACL knee, thanks for sharaing your story! skiing is somthing i will probably not try because im knee-scared :D he ehe
    It is geat to hear you are back on the slopes! you got any pictures? it sounds awesome
    and yes! wat is up with the corner-concerts!?! that will be me now from now on ha haaa!! thanks so much for stopping by and commenting, i very much appreciate it -cheers.m

    JRA/ oh i like that -souvenirs- they def. are! argh pain is no fun, but im glad you are doing well. the bike for me has done wonders both physically and emotionally. thanks for your notes, as always ;-)

    ade/ it never ceases to amaze me when I hear about all your injuries. inspired - certainly. those knees bettter shut upppp he hee
    and thanks for the thoughtful note, yes cheers for quiet knees. dammit!


    ♥thanx everyone for sharing your comments and thoughts. knee-talk is highly important and means lots to me. xo/m :D

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