3 months Post ACL surgery

Since my last post, I've formally enrolled for the 2010 Ironteam. I will be competing in the Wildflower Long Course Tri and the Full Vineman Ironman distance Tri. I will once again raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. My fundraising website is set up and I've got my first few donations already. Thank-you to my donors. 75% of the funds I raised last season will also roll-over, so thanks again to my past donors. Please make a donation if you are able to. The LLS is a worthwhile organization that is making a real difference in the lives of people dealing with Leukemia and Lymphoma. This year I'm dedicating my Ironman training to my niece, Elizabeth who passed away earlier this year. She was only 16. I will swim, bike, and run in her memory.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/VineFIrn10/neomedic

My PT and rehab is coming along well. I've been doing a lot of walking and crosstraining on the elliptical and stationary bike. I walked 18 miles 2 weekends ago! Yesterday I saw my ortho doc who gave me the green light to start running again. My ortho doc wants me to start with treadmill. I hate treadmill. Too boring. So I've started with jogging along the dirt paths in P.V. The paths are level and provide a softer surface than asphalt or concrete. I also walk and jog with my Vibram 5 finger shoes. These shoes simulate barefoot running. They provide a layer of protection for the soles of the feet without all the heavy support and cushioning devices found in the typical running shoe. The idea is to develop one's own intrinsic foot muscles. I also have better proprioception and tactile sensation with the ground. This is especially important since I lost some of that after my ACL surgery.

Check out their website: http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/

I will be walking the Nike Half Marathon in SF in 2 weeks with my sister, Cindy. This will be her first half marathon. She will be joined by some of her girlfriends. I'm looking forward to seeing the big Team in Training contingent at the race. I will be wearing my Ironteam tri-top.

Then in mid November, I will be walk/ running the RnR San Antonio Marathon. By that time, I will be 4.5 months after my surgery. I will be walk/ jogging a 20 miler this Sunday as a training run. Prior to my 3 week taper period, I will get another 20 miler in after the Nike SF race.