Training Log Archive: Pia W

Fantastic day to ski! -7C and about 8 inches of fresh powder in the morning and it kept snowing. The trails were groomed during the morning, but had accumulated a layer of smooth soft snow on top. Lukas had a fever last night so Mark and he went for a shorter loop, while I went with Tor along the Ellis River. Tor has really improved his classic technique and starts to get pretty good rhythm and coordination. I was mainly touring, avoiding to put any stress on the knee. The antiinflammatory has taken down the swelling, but I still have a more sharp pain on the inside of the knee.

Stopped for lunch at the J-town deli after which Mark and the kids skied back to the hotel, but I couldn't resist some more skiing. Started out on the Yodel, but decided flat is better so ended up skiing around on the golf course around the ski center. Stopped when the arms and shoulders started to turn into jelly. Skiing is so much fun!

Spending the weekend up in Jackson and started the day by spectating at the UNH Carnival sprint races. Dropped off Mark and the kids at the end of the Ellis River trail and did some skiing myself from the lodge. I can do double poling fine, but the knee doesn't like it when putting weight on it while diagonaling up hills and herringboning was distinctly painful. So I was mainly touring around on flat trails enjoying being outside. Made it to the Cocoa cabin and did the Ellis River loop. And Mark and the kids came back happy from their excursion. The kids are way better than Mark, but they did some back-and-forth and skiing ahead and were out skiing for almost 2 hrs. All in all a very nice day!

Went for an evaluation of my left knee by a sports physician. Seems to be a degenerative meniscus tear. No benefits of surgery so conservative treatment with prescription strength NSAID for a few weeks and more PT. X-rays were fine (no osteoarthritis) and will have an MRI next week. Can do whatever doesn’t make it worse :). Could have participated in a clinical trial testing different PT regimens, but decided against it as it could potentially require more PT appointments than I have time for. Sucks getting old!

The ferry is nice, but biking is faster. Frosty morning, but very beautiful with the sun just coming up over the horizon.

Quick bike ride to Long Wharf, then the ferry to Charlestown, and another quick bike ride to the lab.

Was planning on taking the ferry, but it was leaving just as I pulled up so I decided to bike the whole distance. Biking seems to be better than walking for the knee; fingers crossed that I can continue.

Working from home today so took the opportunity to rest the knee. It is not happy and gets really stiff and painful when getting up after having been sitting for a while. Think it is time for some NSAID. Will also skip the PT exercises for a while in case they aggravate the knee.