It's not easy to take it easy.
With just over 3 weeks to the first sprint triathlon of the season, I'm finding it really hard to be propped up on cushions on the sofa, not allowed to go to the gym or a bike ride (my commuter is in the workshop at the moment pending a verdict on whether the frame is gone as well as the front forks and wheels). I really want to be building strength and power still before the taper the week before race and I'm running out of time. I'm running out of 'mental' too. I hate hate hate not being able to get out and -do- stuff. I hate feeling helpless and pathetic and emotional.
Still, the drugs appear to be actually working today, though I still can't sit upright for long without a big cushion behind my shoulders, neck and head. The swelling in my knees looks like it's going down a bit now and the lump on the top of my right knee is much less egg-shaped now.
I know a lot of people who've been through sports injuries and found it frustrating to rest and recover... any hints and tips for me?
I'm sure you know all this but....listen to your body, take care of it and be patient. Sleep lots, eat well (chicken soup!) and try not to fret (which I know is easier said than done). Being fit does help with recovery time too.
ReplyDeleteIf you feel up to it and can do so without too much pain, a little gentle movement isn't a bad thing, since it helps keep your circulation going and stops you stiffening up too much. After major surgery I was reduced to the exciting exercise of tottering up and down the stairs to my flat three times a day!
I took bromelain (which is a natural anti-inflammatory), and recovered very quickly, although I don't know how much the bromelain had to do with that.
Once you get back to it, take it easy. Your body's been through a fair bit of trauma and it's surprising how long it takes for it to get back to itself again afterwards.
Hope you're feeling better soon, I have no doubt you'll be feeling much more like yourself in a few days.
Thanks for that... it's good to see a real person say these things. I'd read in general that light activity is good and certainly better than doing nothing at all for recovery. Being fit certainly has been a great factor in minimising the initial damage and should definitely reduce the recovery time as well :o)
ReplyDelete"I hate feeling helpless and pathetic and emotional." My God can I relate to that! But going over the hood of a car is not helpless and pathetic and emotional. It's a bike crash. So suck it up Kate and stay put!
ReplyDeleteGlad the drugs are kicking in too :-)