7 months Post ACL Reconstruction

Greetings.  Seven months post ACL reconstruction and I'm doing fine.  I've been running, biking, and swimming as I get ready for Desert Tri next month, Wildflower in May, and Ironman Louisville in August.
I had my follow up visit with my Ortho Doc last week and got great news that my knee is completely stable.  So the ACL reconstruction was a success.  I informed him that I'm frustrated that my R hamstring is still weaker than the Left and I have difficulty with pylometrics.  But he reassured me that I'm way ahead of the curve in terms of my recovery: 1 half marathon, 2 full marathons, and 1 Ultra marathon post ACL reconstruction.
My swimming is coming along.  I have the aerobic fitness so I can swim "all day".  The encouraging part is that I'm swimming faster as well.  I guess I'm starting to adapt to the water and swimming more efficiently.

The Ironteam Saturday bike rides are great.  2 weekends ago we rode the Palos Verdes loop.  Since this is my home course, I really enjoyed it.  I love the hills.  Yes hills!!!  Beautiful sights around every bend.  Above is a picture overlooking the Trump golf course.  Last weekend we did the Amalfi loop in Brentwood/ Santa Monica. After each cycling loop, we transitioned into a 1 to 2 mile run, then repeated this 3 times.

I'm still working my way into cycling shape, but I'm pleased with my progress.  I managed to drop 4 of the 5 pounds I gained over the holidays.  I'm still about 5 pounds heavier than last season, but I feel that I probably picked up some muscle weight from the increased emphasis I've placed on strength training during my rehab.  On Sunday, in addition to swimming 1.2 miles, I ran 2 miles on the treadmill in my Vibram FiveFingers barefoot running shoes.  I reached a max speed of 9mph on 2% grade.  Stay tuned for a future post about barefoot running and the Vibram FiveFingers.

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.