Training Log Archive: boyle

Paul Smiths NY
5k snowshoe race
11h00

Rideau Trail kilometres 106.6-113.0
North Crosby township

Rather than chase collegians through the Adirondacks, I chased deer through the Rideau Lakes. I wasn't happy to pass the hunting blinds but they were on private land. The morning adventure extended from Old Mountain Road to Salem Road. Even though the snow cover is some sixty days ahead of last winter, there was not enough to continue south of Salem Road. Besides, reducing my analgesics, there is significant pain in the knee. Climbing up and over stiles with snowshoes and a crap knee is real interesting.

Rideau Trail kilometres 47.8-50.6
Frontenac Provincial Park

The afternoon adventure began at the Trail Centre in Frontenac Provincial Park but I hiked away from the park to the point where the trail leaves the road and heads in to the Gould Lake Conservation Area. Because the entire workout was on road side, I carried the snowshoes and gaiters back to the start. I must have been tuckered out because my average heart rate was up for this road-side snowshoe and the walk back to the park.

NT

during blackout
up & down all the stairs

My real doctor has total confidence in the surgeon that I see for a consult on the 21st. The surgeon is runner. The surgeon's children are ranked squash players. I must make it perfectly clear to the surgeon that my objective is running. Apparently, that objective negates partial or full knee replacement surgery which would change my lifestyle even more radically.

Risks from a cartilage-trimming surgery are the same risks as any surgery: anasthetic, bleeding, infection, etc. There is no risk of losing knee functionality.

Organ damage from the long-term analgesics is a real risk. Especially when one considers that the drugs deal only with the pain, something I'm well familiar with.

Only the small patella tracking brace would be even worth considering. Again, it would only mask some pain issues. There would be no improved functionality.

Today, I'm presently dealing with a Baker's cyst as the arthritis is producing so much fluid that the fluid is bulging out behind the crap knee. This swelling balloon might get worse. This cyst is the next symptom that I had been wondering about. Apparently, there are no more surprise symptoms coming. ICE, ICE, ICE.

As I've heard before, the swelling will decide what I can or cannot do. I cannot make it worse.

Further researching the cyst (popliteal) - and trying not to feel queezy - I've decided to withdraw from the snowshoe race on Saturday. I still hope to snowshoe plenty on the weekend but not at race effort. Consequence: it may be some time before I feel completely confident going to the nationals.

NT

>ibuprofen

I'm terrified thinking about tomorrow's visit with the doctor!

windchill -17

I had to test the Dual-Tracs before Saturday's race. The outside tail pipe on my right shoe is perforated. These snowshoes are the best but this pair doesn't have many miles left. With 30cm of fresh powder, today's speed is not relevant.

controls 13-4
w/ TR XII
windchill -22

Until snow's gone, no more jumping stream between #5 and #6.