Reverse

(Cathy, left and Bev at Emerald Bay rest stop)

Sometimes life forces us to reverse rolls, and roll with it! Two weekends ago was "America's most beautiful bike ride" on June 6. A 72 or 100 mile ride route around Lake Tahoe. Your choice. Or if you are me... and realize you haven't ridden beyond 20ish in over a year, and need to resist the urge to join the Team-in-Trainers, the novice riders, the "never ridden this far before" crowd, and stop at a designated point... you do 30 miles.

Now I know that I'm supposed to be proud, and I know I would coach and preach the positive aspects of the fact that just under a year ago I was in a wheelchair, but it still hurt. The most wonderful part of that weekend, was seeing my sister, a working out healthy woman, that hasn't ridden much on the road, and never ridden beyond 20 miles herself in one batch... successfully go around the lake spontaneously. We had planned to both ride to "Sunnyside" -30 miles from our Condo in South Lake, and she was so strong... with tears in my jealous eyes of desire to be the leader, the coach, the advocate for going beyond ones limits, resisted continuing, and encouraged her to reach a goal that she didn't know she could reach. My nice friend Louisa was already on her way to play SAG (support and gear) vehicle, and come rescue me at said Sunnyside stop.

Now before we parted, Cathy and I made it up the Emerald Bay climb to the most stunning view of Lake Tahoe out there, (tied with the Flume trails view of Sand Harbor). After we summited, Cathy was able to reach for her water bottle and drink while still riding. A skill that many road riders don't have - and like an experienced touring or racing goddess, with giggles of joy that she crossed that line, after a tad of coaching from myself - this win was a big one. Previously we needed to stop on the side of the tour, and drink while "parked". This is the type of skill I try to emphasize is important for safety, health and hydration, and basic bike handling skills that are important. This was a win for both of us, and now she is unstoppable. Seriously - she just kept going!

Like the tortoise and the hare, the rest of our fast century-riding-group of guys averaging 18miles per hour for the 100 miles of high altitude, w/ 2 large hills, would see her at rest stops, think she was me (as at this point she was riding my bike now, and still wearing her SLaB jersey)... to realize that smiling woman was my amazing sister! Even though I'm the younger, I'm used to being the encourager for bike adventures... and now I'm am the one forced to listen to my body and physical therapist, and not push my knee and ankle beyond it's recovery limits. Grrrr. A tough mental space to be in, but a joyous one to see what is possible, and see not only my sister, but novices of less fitness than either of us, with good causes in mind such as raising funds for the Leukemia Society - carry the inspirational torch for a bit. It's my turn to get encouraged and see the inspiration, not my turn to inspire.

Weird reverse in my life. I'm trying to keep my eye on the future, and continue forward, and take note of the advances, not the backwardness of it all. After all, that is what SLAB is all about isn't it?!

Spring Fever! Sight Seeing.

Oh how I want to ride everywhere again!

(Friend Helena photographs local humor)

Turns out - when you go the speeds I'm able to pedal - you see an awful lot more of your surroundings! I couldn't stop saying... "look at that mossy rock"... "nice mailbox"... "did you see that cave or hole in the rock next to the river?"

I've started at least one ride on the weekend, and have been finding my limits. An easy road ride is it. Flat... any hills are really strenuous on my atrophied leg. My knee and ankle swell immediately after dismounting the bike, and any obstacle that I want to more properly navigate by getting up off the saddle - tweaks my ankle. This is a lesson for me.

The lesson is that these super weak legs of mine - can't hold my body above the saddle. When I'm coaching cycling skills to beginners I try to have them hover above the saddle as long as possible. In general while mountain biking you rarely sit and "ride" the bike, but are with bend knees and hover forward - back - side to side unless it's a climb. I realize now that if somebody has been inactive - as many of my students are, or maybe overweight or simply haven't built up the "S" in Strong, Light and Beautiful... that your time is limited for getting off the saddle. Baby steps for all of us I guess. I am now more sensitive to this and will modify some coaching or length of a clinic potentially, to not wear out future cyclists!

This picture is from a week ago - going up to the end of Steven's Canyon. Normally it's a slow ride that you forget is not level - other than the "going slow" part. Then when you turn around at the end you fly back to the Pierce Rd/Steven's Creek junction with such speed you realize you were climbing that last 1/2 hour! For me... this "climb" actually had me traversing at times. Terry (my husband) had to do the ol' push trick - and put his hand on my back and help me up the steeper little bumps. I think I need to do some more "really flat" rides before trying this one again. As my knee and ankle let me know my limits- and poofed up.

Needless to say, just the act of suiting up - and breathing fresh air, increasing the heart rate, and yapping with friends while sight seeing up a local canyon - has lifted my spirits.

I'm thinking of modifying or purchasing a bike for commuting - to increase my cycling frequency thru potential rains - and get me out for any journey under 3 miles from my home. My current stable is full of more aggressive bikes for a workout, other than my beach cruiser- which is too heavy and not versatile enough for be to make runs to the local stores and get back "up" the mild inclines to my house. YAY... an excuse to get another bike!

Let's not forget... I'm supposed to ride a CENTURY in May!

Still treating ankle and knee

Aaah, a post surgery update for you all!

Even though I felt like progress was accelerating - I'm finding my
limits. Glad to be starting stationary bike and even tried a real bike
ride. Twisting my foot to get in, or most important- out- of my pedal
cleats is not happening properly. I'd say mostly me knee... but
strength is clearly an issue. No, or limited weight baring is my only
option at this point. If this crazy weather passes, I'll get back in
the pool!

I'm so happy to be pushing my limits further, and accept this message
of swollen knee and forced rest.

Acupuncture is part of my recovery- thanks to Steven @ Pacific Healing
Arts in Los Gatos and Raymond Himmel in Mill Valley when I make the
trek. Even more so Curtis Cramblett of Revolutions in Fitness Physical
Therapy, and his fellow P.T. Susan, for their ongoing care, hard work
& advice!

5 weeks today - post surgery

Jolly Green Giant Foot

Hey all - I haven't been blogging as I sorta like to stay positive in this blog - and everyday I have a challenging hour or 2 or 3. Have a whole new respect for wheelchair bound folks and lips of cement on a sidewalk. Crutches, casts, and the ability to get something from the kitchen, then bring it to my desk. Either I'm kicking something along the floor... or I switch to a wheelchair so I can carry, and try not to spill when I go over the bump between the tile and the wood floor. The main focus right now is to keep sanity, get some range of motion in my knee, and decrease swelling. It's been exactly 5 weeks since the doctor "borrowed" bone from my knee, broke my leg - and placed it into my ankle's hole (or lesion). ONE MORE WEEK of no weight... then slowly I start to place some weight on my foot. I can't imagine it will be quick. My foot is so swollen right now... and doesn't move, and my knee can't bend more than 10 degrees, so I don't expect to be walking a week from now. 6 Weeks is the magic bone healing number. My surgeon who doesn't say but a few words ever in an appt, actually looked proud, smiley and giddy when he was advising me to take it easy... as "you are healing from a broken ankle"... "I broke it" he said with a Canary feather smile, "but it is broken".

I got a fantastic call today from an inspirational was a student for SLaB clinics... turned triathlete. She is doing her 2nd Tri this Sunday - a Tinley sprint w/ mtn bike off road for the cycling portion. It's so fantastic to hear from folks that are still riding and training and improving. Gives me hope and a peak into the outside world where people move. Sure I'm less muscle and more fat right now... but somehow I'm going to change that in this next year! I really want to do more skills clinics... and I actually have a class I'm teaching in 10 days at Stanford. It's a classroom class (vs hands on practice), but all about women and women's cycling. That will re-energize me for sure!

Tomorrow I go for my longest drive yet since surgery - up to Mill Valley for Acupuncture. I am hoping to make major headway in ridding myself of this massive swelling. One more week... and I will attempt to add weight. About 4 more weeks until I'm allowed in a pool.

Go ride - because you can! Ride for us who can't!
;-)
Bev