Life in the sloth lane

It's been seven hours and 105 days. Since I could ride without knee pain. 

Never have I felt like such a sloth on her period 24/7! 

The initial prognosis was pretty straight-forward - loosen off your IT band area and all will be fine. Straight-forward it hasn't been...15 appointments (doctor, physio, osteo and a consultant in sports medicine & rheumatology) and an MRI scan later. Thank the Lordy I have health insurance!

My life currently comprises hours and hours of diligent rehab and foam rollering whilst watching Eating With My Ex* to stave off the boredom. Then, rest, more rest. Then, test the knee; it's worse than ever - tears, anti-inflammatories, ice...repeat...ad infinitum.

I've never quite realised the profound effect exercise has on my mood. Not just the endorphins but the social interaction, being outdoors, enjoying nature, pushing my limits, the process of getting fitter and working towards goals.

Then there's the whole issue of my relationship with food and weight. Totally normal in training-mode. Totally not normal in sloth-mode!

My initial concern was being fit for the Europeans in July. More recently, as captured in my consultant's notes, it's simplified to: "she has no idea as to what is causing her pain and her lack of training is causing psychological distress." "Psychological distress" feels a bit strong but I've definitely found myself in a downward spiral...feeling blah, which made me hermit-y, and being hermit-y made me feel more blah...repeat...ad infinitum.

To break the blah-hermit cycle, I decided to focus on what I can do. Strangely, I can ride my BMX pain-free so, I decided to focus on that (and hopefully there will be some transfer of skills to when I finally get back racing my MTB.) 

Marginally more interesting than a vid of me aqua-running! Courtesy Harry Molloy.

I can also aqua-run, which is deadly dull. And I look a total dork! But, the evidence suggests it's an effective substitute for proper running and afterwards I get the same feel good response as I do to 'proper' exercise. 

My BTF Level 2 Diploma also got finished so, I am now offering 1-to-1 coaching. Yey!

So, my diagnosis is plica syndrome (knee inflammation near my fat pads). I've had a corticosteroid injection, which should have me fully back with the love of my life between my legs in 4 weeks ;-). I'm on a week of total rest and then next Wednesday I have "a date" with my turbo, super low wattage, to see if I can ride pain-free. Fingers (and everything else) crossed as I desperately want to be back riding. 

*If my knee doesn't improve soon I fear I'll be appearing on Eating With My Ex!