One year ago, I underwent the surgeon's knife and had a graft taken from my hamstrings to recreate a new ACL for the one I tore on the ski slopes of Calgary, Alberta. I have come a long way since that day a year ago. I have kept this blog as a reminder of what I went through, and some of the feelings I had as I went through the pre-op, post-op, and rehab phases. Looking back at the recovery / rehab from the ACL reconstruction, I don't wish this injury on anyone. Yet I know that every year, many people do tear their ACLs and then undergo reconstruction. In fact, two of my coworkers have undergone ACL reconstruction this past year. I hope that my experience will provide some inspiration for those who just had or will have this surgery. There is light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel is long and torturous, filled with many obstacles.
I had a 1 year post-op checkup with my surgeon a few weeks ago and I was told that my ACL was solid and completely stable. My surgeon said that I was the most motivated ACL patient he has ever had. I pushed myself to regain the level of fitness I had before the surgery. Soon after I got off the crutches, I got on the stationary bike, elliptical, and the pool. By 3.5 months post-op, I walked-jogged the Nike SF marathon. A month later I jogged the RnR San Antonio marathon. The following month I ran the RnR Las Vegas Half marathon. This was followed a month later with my 1st Ultra 50-K in Arizona. In March, I completed the Desert International distance Triathlon and set a PR ( much faster swim, slower run from the year before). I followed that up with Wildflower Long Course Tri, Palos Verdes Marathon, Alcatraz challenge swim, and Laguna Hills Half Marathon in May. In June, my marathon relay team consisting of 4 old "farts" from work finished 3rd in the Men's Division at the RnR San Diego Marathon!
All of this occurred while I was training for Ironman Louisville with Team in Training's Ironteam L.A. In a sense, raising funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and training with the Ironteam gave me the motivation to push on ahead when the going got tough. When you think of those fighting for their lives against Cancer, recovering from ACL surgery seems like no big deal in comparison. I have a teammate Gordie who is a Cancer survivor and despite the many obstacles in his path, he pushes on ahead and is there with us every week going through the same tough workouts. He even sends weekly emails with an inspirational message to the Ironteam. That's the kind of dedication that inspires me.
This past weekend we rode 85 miles, starting from Camarillo, down PCH to Mulholland and Encinal Canyon back to PCH and then up for a second loop of Mulholland / Encinal Canyon before finally heading back to Camarillo. Lots of climbing, but I love hills. I finished in about 5.5 hrs. I finished off the ride with a 5 mile run. I felt great and I know I'm ready for the Vineman Aquabike event. I got another long run in on Sunday in PV before heading out to Vegas for some Rest n Relaxation. By Relaxation, I'm talking about getting up every morning before 6am and getting in a 6 mile run in 80 degree heat ( by noon its over 100 degrees !!!) The run is followed by swimming laps for an hour in the resort pool before the pool gets too crowded.
Other than losing several Benjamins to the Blackjack tables, it was a great mini-vacation.
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