Pandemic Spring

No runs, rides or walks, but baby bunnies for the win.

May 2020 was a brutal one and I really haven't had much desire to journal. High anxiety and knee pain from my run injury, (likely tendinitis, hopefully not torn meniscus), meant very little sleep -- which in turn lead to long and cranky days. Self-isolation was mentally taxing as my April sanity breaks of riding, (or running, or walking), were painful. It has taken six weeks to get to the point where I can walk down the stairs without pain, but a dull ache, reminiscent of a bruise being constantly poked, remains.

Normally, dealing with an injury is enough of a strain to the psyche -- but add in a pandemic, 120,000 deaths, rampant racial injustice, protests, riots, and the dumpster fire of a presidency -- well, it's been a craptastic Spring. I'm still holding out hope that we'll emerge from all of this stronger.

I've jumped* back into B&S bootcamp workouts on Zoom this month, adding a few minimal workouts to my week. (*Not literally. No jumping allowed). It irritates Will when he looks at my workout later in the day and points out the several things I shouldn't be doing. Honestly, I'm modifying a lot. It's hard to believe I was in Alaska just last June in peak physical shape, (though with a nasty calf strain dogging me.) Sigh. Injuries suck.

Meanwhile, my garden projects and baby bunnies have kept me smiling this Spring while I'm off the bike. It's been a struggle.

Great Teams, Great Friends

PT on Friday didn't go as well as I thought it would. I expected to get the ok for cycling, (because 30 Days of Biking starts tomorrow), but I got a big NO. (NO?!) Arrrgggghhhhh!!! I understand the shoulder isn't in great shape, and it can get quite painful at times, but I was under the impression it was a mild injury. Fixable. So I wasn't happy with my PT.

On Saturday, still feeling frustrated, I met the Cyclopaths for breakfast -- and of course it was snowing, for the tenth straight weekend. No one braved the elements and rode their bikes, and most agreed it will be a while before they're back on the road. It was good to see folks and catch up, and I'm hoping we have a good summer together.

Afterwards, I headed into Cambridge with Alison, Cate, Jen and Amy for the TriMania Expo, (at MIT -- taking the photo of the pool, above, for Will.)  It was a fun afternoon looking at different bike-swim-run related info, gear, and events -- with many laughs between us. (Those girls are such fun.) I also heard from a few Kittens on Saturday, checking in to see how PT went. Really sweet.) So, despite the gloomy start to the weekend, and my depressing mood, I had a great Saturday spent with Cyclopaths and Spiders, and chatting with Kittens -- and I felt much better about my PT situtation afterwards. Thanks, sweet friends!

30 Days of Biking starts tomorrow.

Morning Sunrise, Gorgeous Colors

We had a spectacular start to the week today -- a day which later turned gray with mixed precipitation of snow and rain. I felt lucky to catch the sunrise early this morning. So stunning.

Shoulder Update -- and Wow. Venus.

Spring is here! (Feels like winter.) I caught this great shot of the moon and Venus on our way to Chip's lax practice on Sunday night. (Very cool.)  Chip is always patient with me when I have to stop to take a photo of something... even when we're running late.

So, shoulder update: New England Orthopedic Specialists has been really great and called me Monday with the results of my MRI. I was on the phone with the PA, Heather Parry, (who works with Dr. Perryman) for a while, listening to what was going on in my shoulder. And, well, at some point I realized I should probably be taking notes, because there's a party going on in there. Hahaha.

So, we start with a partial thickness tear of the supraspinitus, moving on to some tendonitis, with some thinning and fraying in the shoulder, (not sure how long the tendonitis has been there, as I never noticed soreness before), and continue on with some fluid around the bursa from a displaced joint (?)... but at that part of the conversation I got a little lost, because I was trying to think back to whether I felt any signs of tendonitis before the MTB wipeout...

Just a whole lot of info that I didn't really process.

I was happy to hear I wouldn't need surgery, though, (unless the shoulder doesn't heal through PT) -- and will take the recommended course of action that includes cortisone for the pain, and PT 2x a week for 4-5 weeks. I'll follow up with Dr. Perryman in a month to see where we are at. (Plus rest, ice, ibuprofen...) I got this.

Sunrise at Preston Beach, March 20th

Spring is here.

Day 17: 30 Days of Biking, So Cold

Another bitter, bitter cold today... we can't seem to catch a break on the weather! Today was sunny but freezing, with temps in the mid thirties along the coast. The strong winds that we've had the last few days are still with us, making today's ride really tough. I headed out to the causeway to loop the neck but kept it a short ride -- calling it a day after ten miles. Brrrrrrrrr...

#30daysofbiking

Day 1: 30 Days of Biking, SpiderOne Racing

A slightly chilly ride tonight, but not too bad considering I've headed out in sub-30 temps this winter. My first day of the thirty day biking challenge was an 18 mile training ride with SpiderOne, (of which 15.5 was recorded on my iPhone app, since my Garmin woes continue.) It was fun to get out and ride with the group! (Thanks, Shayne!) 29 days to go...

#30daysofbiking

Brookline Redux

Saturday's ride took me back to Brookline, following a similar route to last weekend's Firefly Adventure Team launch. The pace wasn't as quick starting out, giving me a better chance to tackle some of the hills, and I had a good 40ish mile ride with new bike friends Jesse and Kate. (Plus two other riders, Chris and Adam, who rode on for more miles when the three of us looped back). It's quite a hilly course out to Dover -- and definitely more challenging than my rides along the coast -- but it was a decent ride and I was able to enjoy some breaks of sun before the overcast clouds settled in and the rain began.

April arrives in two days... and my 30 Days of Biking Challenge begins! The wet weather we've had over the weekend should move on out tomorrow, giving us a decent start to the month. Yay! I'm ready for a new month!

Signs of Spring

Looking outside at the snow still in my front yard, it's hard to believe it's officially Spring, with more cold weather expected next week. Todays' temps in the high 40's also brought breaks of sun here and there, illuminating the Boston Marathon banners along Boylston Street this morning. Ahhh...the promise of Spring!

30 Days of Biking

New Challenge! I made the pledge at 30 Days of Biking to ride my bike every day in April -- no matter what the weather or temperature, distance or destination -- and document it on social media. Getting out for a ride each day (for 30 days) would normally not be a challenge if it were June or July... but we're talking APRIL... and what will likely be a cold, wet spring. New England weather will definitely present a challenge, (we've had snow storms in April before), but I'm hoping it will be a lot more enjoyable than the "thirty days of burpees" challenge. Hahaha... That was a fail.

30 days of Biking has teamed up with Free Bikes 4 Kidz, a non profit group in Minneapolis providing bikes to underprivileged youth. For every thirty riders who make the pledge to ride, one bike will be donated to a kid who may otherwise not be able to afford one. (I'm totally in for that.) Take the pledge at 30daysofbiking.com. (And cross your fingers for a warm Spring.)

#30daysofbiking