Seriously? Am I a drama queen or what? Yes I'm back in the hospital and fortunately this time, there was a hospital in the town where I'm staying, South Bend, WA. Why am I here? My "non-injured" right knee continued to get worse last night, and this morning I could barely bend it. I went for a half-hour walk, in hopes that it would loosen up. Then, I tried to see if I could ride, hopeful that it would feel better on the bike. But I was unable to complete a single revolution.
That's as far a I can bend my knee
I'm not sure why this happened, but I have a couple of theories. The knee is meant to pivot in a rotational direction only. These types of injuries are from repetitive motion (I complete about 5,000 rotations per hour while cycling), and when that motion is askew even slightly, you compound the problem with every stroke.
I trained for long rides so it's not as simple as over-extending my mileage. However, I have been stopping and starting dozens of times per day, and I think the injury is associated with that, combined with the fact that every time I re-start, I'm needing to get an additional 15 pounds of baggage rolling. Maybe I'm not gearing down enough, and putting undue pressure on the knee I favor from a standstill.
I trained for long rides so it's not as simple as over-extending my mileage. However, I have been stopping and starting dozens of times per day, and I think the injury is associated with that, combined with the fact that every time I re-start, I'm needing to get an additional 15 pounds of baggage rolling. Maybe I'm not gearing down enough, and putting undue pressure on the knee I favor from a standstill.
Earned my second hospital wristband in four days here
Another possibility, I suppose, is associated with my other trip to the hospital. Maybe I overcompensated for my injured left knee? Only problem with that theory is that my left knee never did hurt. Another thought is that I tweaked something in my right knee when I fell, and it didn't manifest itself until I complicated matters with three more days of riding. Finally, maybe my bike position is off (highly unlikely) or maybe I over-trained and this injury is happening because that "training" has elevated yet another notch (decent possibility).
This Ride is Happening
Let me finish (for now) with this. BikeTheCoast13 is happening. I may not be able to get to Astoria today but I'll hang here a day or two if I need to, and then I have two-and-a-half weeks before I hook up with the People's Coast Classic in Oregon. That is where I plan to be. If for some reason that's not possible, I will still get back on track and get to Mexico. You can book it.
11:20 AM POST MRI UPDATE: First off, thank you for the comments, texts, and emails. Your thoughts and prayers are very much appreciated! My only request is to stay upbeat and don't refrain from letting me have it with humor just like Kelley did - she knows me well! In the grand scheme of things, this is no big deal. I don't want to feel sorry for myself, so don't feel sorry for me. Keep me laughing. This isn't a heart attack, for Christ sakes! As I was thinking while I was getting that MRI, it's my first MRI ever. Lindsey has already had four.
I was fortunate that they have a mobile MRI unit here and it's only at this hospital Monday and Thursday. At least they should be able to tell me what's going on today. Results could take an hour or two. Stay tuned. Oh ya, blog comments are still best. I want to stay off of email entirely until evening. If you want to send me a private message, text me at 408.605.1521.
I was fortunate that they have a mobile MRI unit here and it's only at this hospital Monday and Thursday. At least they should be able to tell me what's going on today. Results could take an hour or two. Stay tuned. Oh ya, blog comments are still best. I want to stay off of email entirely until evening. If you want to send me a private message, text me at 408.605.1521.
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