I'm not sure that I followed the doc's advice to take it easy on the hamstring until we do the PRP procedure, but I did have a fun and tiring weekend.
On Saturday morning, my wife was scheduled to have a massage. So, I went to the farmers market to get fruits and veggies for the week. Then, I headed to a local coffee shop to get some caffeine and read the newspaper. About 11:00, I headed home and got my cycling gear together. My plan was a ride of 45-50 miles. It was a rectangular route, with each of the four corners representing a low point. The east-west segments of the rectangle were shorter and very hilly compared to the north-south segments which were longer and only moderately hilly.
I wanted to just have fun and not push the pace, knowing that this would be my hilliest ride of the year so far, with two major climbs. I did just that and took two short breaks at convenience stores along the way to get some food. The toughest part of the ride was the third leg - the northern east-west segment. It took me 25 minutes to climb to the summit of that leg of the ride and I was out of the saddle for a fair amount of time.
The total distance was 46 miles and my speed was so slow that I'm not even going to mention it. But, it was fun.
Because my wife didn't run on Saturday, she wanted to do her long run for the week on Sunday. I was tired, but agreed to run with her. I struggled almost the entire 10 miles, but we got through the run OK. My wife did have to wait for me a couple times as I chose to walk up some hills, and she eventually pulled away in the last half mile. She had some problems with a tight calf and she was limping a bit as we finished. She definitely needs new shoes and I think she needs to be careful about how fast she increases her mileage.
Other than those two workouts, I spent the weekend doing as little as possible - some reading, a little bit of work with the chainsaw to clear a downed tree, going for a swim, and operating the grill when it was time to eat.
Today is a leg day at the gym and it will be a struggle, most likely.
I'm waiting to hear if the doc found anything on the X-rays that were taken on Friday. Then, I also need approval from the insurance company for an MRI, and we'll schedule that as soon as possible. I'm looking forward to this treatment, even if it is expensive and still somewhat new. I just want running to be fun again.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Hamstring Prognosis
I saw the sports doc this morning. After a few questions and some examination, he agreed that a Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment would be his first choice, if I can afford the treatment and I'm willing to try a fairly new treatment protocol.
He said that if I was a casual runner - a few 3 milers per week, or a hiker or simply a non-competitive athlete of any sort, he'd recommend some rest or reduced activity for a few months to see what would happen. But, I want to return to a high level of activity and I want to do that quickly, so he thinks PRP is my best bet.
I have to pay for the treatment out of pocket, but not all of the preliminaries before the treatment. The treatment costs just under $1,000, and it seems reasonable to me that I should pay for it. First of all, I hurt myself doing something stupid. It's still experimental. And, I don't need the treatment to function at a reasonable level. But, many would say that I'm not reasonable in the way I play, and they're probably right. I'll gladly pay out of pocket for the treatment.
So, today, I had an X-ray. They want to make sure that no bone was pulled away at the hamstring attachment point.
Next, they want to do an MRI to find the exact location of the suspected tendon tear, so they'll be able to guide the PRP injection directly to the injury site. I had to fill out the pre-authorization paperwork for the MRI today and the MRI will probably happen next week sometime.
And then, assuming everything is still a go, the PRP is scheduled for 8/31. I have been told that I must pre-pay on the day of the procedure itself. They don't want to chase me down if I don't pay the bill. They don't want to submit it to insurance. Payment in full at the time of service. They also told me to be well-hydrated on 8/31, because they need to take about a cup of blood to spin down to the PRP that they'll inject.
After the treatment, I should expect 3-4 days of discomfort and then about 2 weeks of limited activity, after which I can start pushing things again.
The doctor also told me that since running seems to be causing me the most discomfort, perhaps I should spend more time with other activities, such as bike riding, until after the treatment. That seems reasonable, except my unreasonable brain wants to run. I think I'll plan on a long ride tomorrow and go from there.
He said that if I was a casual runner - a few 3 milers per week, or a hiker or simply a non-competitive athlete of any sort, he'd recommend some rest or reduced activity for a few months to see what would happen. But, I want to return to a high level of activity and I want to do that quickly, so he thinks PRP is my best bet.
I have to pay for the treatment out of pocket, but not all of the preliminaries before the treatment. The treatment costs just under $1,000, and it seems reasonable to me that I should pay for it. First of all, I hurt myself doing something stupid. It's still experimental. And, I don't need the treatment to function at a reasonable level. But, many would say that I'm not reasonable in the way I play, and they're probably right. I'll gladly pay out of pocket for the treatment.
So, today, I had an X-ray. They want to make sure that no bone was pulled away at the hamstring attachment point.
Next, they want to do an MRI to find the exact location of the suspected tendon tear, so they'll be able to guide the PRP injection directly to the injury site. I had to fill out the pre-authorization paperwork for the MRI today and the MRI will probably happen next week sometime.
And then, assuming everything is still a go, the PRP is scheduled for 8/31. I have been told that I must pre-pay on the day of the procedure itself. They don't want to chase me down if I don't pay the bill. They don't want to submit it to insurance. Payment in full at the time of service. They also told me to be well-hydrated on 8/31, because they need to take about a cup of blood to spin down to the PRP that they'll inject.
After the treatment, I should expect 3-4 days of discomfort and then about 2 weeks of limited activity, after which I can start pushing things again.
The doctor also told me that since running seems to be causing me the most discomfort, perhaps I should spend more time with other activities, such as bike riding, until after the treatment. That seems reasonable, except my unreasonable brain wants to run. I think I'll plan on a long ride tomorrow and go from there.
Role Reversal
Last night, a local running club put on a 5 mile race on dirt roads. I run the race most years, but there was no point this year. I'm just too slow and I certainly didn't want to injure my hamstring any more before my doctor's appointment today.
Last year, my wife and son ran the race as well, and while my son wasn't interested this year, my wife wanted to run. My son had a medical appointment yesterday afternoon, so I left work early to take him to the doctor. My wife went to run the race. It's been years since she ran a race that I didn't run, but I was glad that she was motivated to go. I was glad to play Mr. Mom so she could run.
After my son and I got home from the doctor, I headed to the gym for a lower body workout. On my current schedule, my Thursday workout seems easier than my other lifting days during the week. After my warm-up, I did 6x6 of kettlebell swings with short rest, 5x5 of barbell Bulgarian split squats (65 pounds), 4x7 of snatch-grip Romanian deadlifts (165 pounds) and then 4 sets of "dynamic" Swiss ball hip bridge/leg curls, doing as many reps as possible each set (12, 12, 10, 10). Because this workout seems a bit too easy, I've been adding some straight deadlifts at the end. I had the bar set at 165 pounds for the RDLs, so I started there, and did the following:
5x165
4x185
3x205
2x225
1x245
1x265
1x275
Things felt pretty good until 265, which is why my next increment was only 10 pounds and I then called it a day. The 275 lift was my best since I hurt my hamstring in April, and actually the best since I set a PR of 325 in December. I'm not sore today (yet) from this workout.
After the workout, I headed home and started dinner. I was expecting my wife and daughter to be home by the time I finished dinner, but they weren't there. My wife eventually called me on the phone to explain that she'd be late. It turned out that she had finished 2nd in the 40-49 age group (not bad at age 47!), and she had to stay for the awards. She got a small gift certificate to a local sporting goods store as her prize. Last year, the age group awards were bottles of barbecue sauce, so this year's awards were an upgrade.
So, I'm glad to see that there's still one runner in our family, even if it's my wife instead of me.
Because of the race, my wife wants to delay her long run this weekend until Sunday. So, I'll probably ride my bike for a few hours tomorrow and then run with the real runner in our family on Sunday, if I can keep up.
Last year, my wife and son ran the race as well, and while my son wasn't interested this year, my wife wanted to run. My son had a medical appointment yesterday afternoon, so I left work early to take him to the doctor. My wife went to run the race. It's been years since she ran a race that I didn't run, but I was glad that she was motivated to go. I was glad to play Mr. Mom so she could run.
After my son and I got home from the doctor, I headed to the gym for a lower body workout. On my current schedule, my Thursday workout seems easier than my other lifting days during the week. After my warm-up, I did 6x6 of kettlebell swings with short rest, 5x5 of barbell Bulgarian split squats (65 pounds), 4x7 of snatch-grip Romanian deadlifts (165 pounds) and then 4 sets of "dynamic" Swiss ball hip bridge/leg curls, doing as many reps as possible each set (12, 12, 10, 10). Because this workout seems a bit too easy, I've been adding some straight deadlifts at the end. I had the bar set at 165 pounds for the RDLs, so I started there, and did the following:
5x165
4x185
3x205
2x225
1x245
1x265
1x275
Things felt pretty good until 265, which is why my next increment was only 10 pounds and I then called it a day. The 275 lift was my best since I hurt my hamstring in April, and actually the best since I set a PR of 325 in December. I'm not sore today (yet) from this workout.
After the workout, I headed home and started dinner. I was expecting my wife and daughter to be home by the time I finished dinner, but they weren't there. My wife eventually called me on the phone to explain that she'd be late. It turned out that she had finished 2nd in the 40-49 age group (not bad at age 47!), and she had to stay for the awards. She got a small gift certificate to a local sporting goods store as her prize. Last year, the age group awards were bottles of barbecue sauce, so this year's awards were an upgrade.
So, I'm glad to see that there's still one runner in our family, even if it's my wife instead of me.
Because of the race, my wife wants to delay her long run this weekend until Sunday. So, I'll probably ride my bike for a few hours tomorrow and then run with the real runner in our family on Sunday, if I can keep up.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Lifting
Arms last night.
Legs tonight.
Arms tomorrow night.
Tomorrow morning, I see the sports doc about my hamstring and we'll discuss the Platelet Rich Plasma treatment.
Then, some running or hiking on Saturday and a bike ride on Sunday.
My weeks are pretty much the same right now, training-wise.
Legs tonight.
Arms tomorrow night.
Tomorrow morning, I see the sports doc about my hamstring and we'll discuss the Platelet Rich Plasma treatment.
Then, some running or hiking on Saturday and a bike ride on Sunday.
My weeks are pretty much the same right now, training-wise.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Social Distortion
What? Did you say something? I can't hear very well right now.
My son really wanted to be up front last night, which can be dangerous for a show with three punk bands. There were a few tense moments, in my opinion, as I spent time making sure that my son and wife didn't get killed by an energetic (and mostly drunk) crowd.
At one point, some young punk (literally) tried to force his way in front of my wife during a Social D song. I didn't want to let him past, as my wife was already being trampled by the drunk guy dancing beside her. For a second or two, the guy and I stared each other down as I tried to stop him from stepping in front of my wife. I was smiling inside, knowing that he was drunk and I'm a lot stronger than he could have possibly realized. I'm not a fighter in any way, but it occurred to me that I could drop the dude with one shot. And then, I realized that was stupid, I smiled and let him pass. He gave me some more attitude later, but I let him "win". I'm sure he's feeling really good this morning after all he had to drink last night.
Later in the show, a guy suddenly showed up beside my wife and started hitting on her. My wife lifts and runs and looks great for someone almost as old as I am (note that I'm not calling her old; I'm calling myself old), and she was wearing a short, low-cut dress. I found it kind of funny, but she was annoyed, pointed to me, and the guy (clearly intoxicated) left to find someone else to harass.
Social D was great, probably better than when I last saw them. I don't know the entire history of Mike Ness's heroin use, but I believe he was still using the stuff when I last saw him. Last night, he looked healthier than 11 years ago and clearly more in control of the stage and the band. They played all of their classics and ended with a great version of Story of My Life. Earlier, they had played great versions of Ball and Chain and Ring of Fire and Sick Boy, some of my favorite older tunes. They played a number of songs that will be on their next album as well. The only song I could think of that they didn't play that I really wanted to hear was Knockout and my son said he would have liked to hear So Far Away.
All in all, I was impressed, but I am too old to stand in the front two or three rows at a punk show. I'd love to see any of the three bands again, but I think I'll stand in the back next time.
The two opening bands were better than expected. The first band was called the Strangers and they hail from Orange County, where Mike Ness grew up. They had moments where they sounded like the Clash (especially on guitar), Green Day, and the Ramones. The second opening band was an all-female band called Civet. At first, I wasn't crazy about them, but I warmed up to them as they kept playing. They could certainly play, and my wife and son thought their drummer was better that Social D's drummer. I will certainly be looking for some music by them, and I bought a Strangers CD last night.
Civet is from LA and they stayed around selling merchandise and autographing items after the show. My son wanted a T-shirt, but they only had size small. He still bought one, had it signed by the band, and he plans to hang it on his bedroom wall. I think he was a bit taken by the appearance of the four ladies in the band. My wife said she's going to have to think about her aversion to female punk music, such as early stuff from Hole, which she has always dismissed.
Before the show, I did a 5 mile run along Lake Champlain. To be honest, it was one of the least fun runs I've done in a long time. My hamstring was unhappy, I felt beat up and low on energy, and it was just no fun at all. In two days, I'll see the sports doc and hopefully we'll find a way to turn a corner on this injury.
Tonight, I'll do some upper body lifting.
For the moment, I have no tickets to any concerts, so it might be time to focus more on work and training. But, I've had a good summer of loud music so far.
My son really wanted to be up front last night, which can be dangerous for a show with three punk bands. There were a few tense moments, in my opinion, as I spent time making sure that my son and wife didn't get killed by an energetic (and mostly drunk) crowd.
At one point, some young punk (literally) tried to force his way in front of my wife during a Social D song. I didn't want to let him past, as my wife was already being trampled by the drunk guy dancing beside her. For a second or two, the guy and I stared each other down as I tried to stop him from stepping in front of my wife. I was smiling inside, knowing that he was drunk and I'm a lot stronger than he could have possibly realized. I'm not a fighter in any way, but it occurred to me that I could drop the dude with one shot. And then, I realized that was stupid, I smiled and let him pass. He gave me some more attitude later, but I let him "win". I'm sure he's feeling really good this morning after all he had to drink last night.
Later in the show, a guy suddenly showed up beside my wife and started hitting on her. My wife lifts and runs and looks great for someone almost as old as I am (note that I'm not calling her old; I'm calling myself old), and she was wearing a short, low-cut dress. I found it kind of funny, but she was annoyed, pointed to me, and the guy (clearly intoxicated) left to find someone else to harass.
Social D was great, probably better than when I last saw them. I don't know the entire history of Mike Ness's heroin use, but I believe he was still using the stuff when I last saw him. Last night, he looked healthier than 11 years ago and clearly more in control of the stage and the band. They played all of their classics and ended with a great version of Story of My Life. Earlier, they had played great versions of Ball and Chain and Ring of Fire and Sick Boy, some of my favorite older tunes. They played a number of songs that will be on their next album as well. The only song I could think of that they didn't play that I really wanted to hear was Knockout and my son said he would have liked to hear So Far Away.
All in all, I was impressed, but I am too old to stand in the front two or three rows at a punk show. I'd love to see any of the three bands again, but I think I'll stand in the back next time.
The two opening bands were better than expected. The first band was called the Strangers and they hail from Orange County, where Mike Ness grew up. They had moments where they sounded like the Clash (especially on guitar), Green Day, and the Ramones. The second opening band was an all-female band called Civet. At first, I wasn't crazy about them, but I warmed up to them as they kept playing. They could certainly play, and my wife and son thought their drummer was better that Social D's drummer. I will certainly be looking for some music by them, and I bought a Strangers CD last night.
Civet is from LA and they stayed around selling merchandise and autographing items after the show. My son wanted a T-shirt, but they only had size small. He still bought one, had it signed by the band, and he plans to hang it on his bedroom wall. I think he was a bit taken by the appearance of the four ladies in the band. My wife said she's going to have to think about her aversion to female punk music, such as early stuff from Hole, which she has always dismissed.
Before the show, I did a 5 mile run along Lake Champlain. To be honest, it was one of the least fun runs I've done in a long time. My hamstring was unhappy, I felt beat up and low on energy, and it was just no fun at all. In two days, I'll see the sports doc and hopefully we'll find a way to turn a corner on this injury.
Tonight, I'll do some upper body lifting.
For the moment, I have no tickets to any concerts, so it might be time to focus more on work and training. But, I've had a good summer of loud music so far.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
More music
I've seen so many concerts recently that it's hard to believe I'm training hard. Yet, I'm managing to work our nearly every day despite some late nights. Yesterday, I did two workouts in a day for the first time in a while.
Tonight, I'm going to see Social Distortion in a club here in Vermont. I have seen them before, in Anchorage, in the summer of 1998, I believe.
On that tour, they recorded a show at The Roxy in Hollywood that has been released on CD and it's a great show. I hope Mike Ness still sounds close to as good now as he did then. The club where I'm seeing them doesn't sell out very often, but this show sold out quickly, so the place will be packed. My wife and son have never seen them and they are very excited about the show.
I got in an easy 45 minute run last night - a net downhill run to the local pool, where I met my family for a quick swim. Tonight, I'll run for an hour or so after work before meeting my wife and son for dinner before the show.
The weather here in Vermont seems to finally be turning a corner and the long range forecast shows that we might actually have a summer this year. It will be short, but it looks like this month will be a lot drier and sunnier than the past few months.
Tonight, I'm going to see Social Distortion in a club here in Vermont. I have seen them before, in Anchorage, in the summer of 1998, I believe.
On that tour, they recorded a show at The Roxy in Hollywood that has been released on CD and it's a great show. I hope Mike Ness still sounds close to as good now as he did then. The club where I'm seeing them doesn't sell out very often, but this show sold out quickly, so the place will be packed. My wife and son have never seen them and they are very excited about the show.
I got in an easy 45 minute run last night - a net downhill run to the local pool, where I met my family for a quick swim. Tonight, I'll run for an hour or so after work before meeting my wife and son for dinner before the show.
The weather here in Vermont seems to finally be turning a corner and the long range forecast shows that we might actually have a summer this year. It will be short, but it looks like this month will be a lot drier and sunnier than the past few months.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Almost glad it's Monday
All as planned:
I played racquetball with my son for an hour on Friday night. Then, I swam with my daughter and a friend for a while.
Saturday, my wife and I ran for just under 2 hours on a warm day. Later, we went swimming for a while.
Sunday, I rode for about 2 hours on my bike with a skiing buddy. He would struggle to keep up on the flats, but he dropped me on every uphill. The lighter weight of my bike was more than offset by my heavier body mass (Hmmmmm.....).
Last night, I cooked a nice but healthy dinner for our wedding anniversary. My wife and some friends had some nice wines, but I abstained.
This morning, I did a killer lower body workout. I'm beat and I'm glad it's time to sit on my butt and just do some work.
Tonight, I'll do a short downhill run to the pool after work.
I played racquetball with my son for an hour on Friday night. Then, I swam with my daughter and a friend for a while.
Saturday, my wife and I ran for just under 2 hours on a warm day. Later, we went swimming for a while.
Sunday, I rode for about 2 hours on my bike with a skiing buddy. He would struggle to keep up on the flats, but he dropped me on every uphill. The lighter weight of my bike was more than offset by my heavier body mass (Hmmmmm.....).
Last night, I cooked a nice but healthy dinner for our wedding anniversary. My wife and some friends had some nice wines, but I abstained.
This morning, I did a killer lower body workout. I'm beat and I'm glad it's time to sit on my butt and just do some work.
Tonight, I'll do a short downhill run to the pool after work.
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