An Injury & What is to Come

I can be a very tenacious individual. When I want something, I go after it - full throttle. It's hard to derail me when I'm on a mission, and although I am very much a go-with-the-flow person, and try to let everyone live their own life (as long as it doesn't harm others), when I want something bad enough or believe in something passionately, it's quite difficult to deter me.

Sometimes this trait comes across as absolute stubbornness, other times it is viewed as craziness, and still others may have just accepted that I simply am who I am. I suppose the perspective is completely dependent upon who one is asking or their own life circumstances and beliefs.

This little tidbit is important because I think it's essential to know that I don't give up easily on the things that are important to me.

It hasn't been something I've hidden, but this year (or the last six months of what will be this year) has been a very trying and frustrating time on a bike for me, and I can't help but feel a bit like a fraud as I write posts about various happenings, parts, or bicycles. Not that anything I've written has been falsified in any way, but I'm not exactly feeling like the person I think I should be and it's causing conflict within.

*Image found here

It started with lack of time to ride due to renovations, which turned into extreme bodily pain because of the work being done, resulting in ongoing trauma to various parts of my body which never seem to go away.

All of these things have definitely shortened or eliminated many rides I would normally take this time of year. I've had to take a step back and realize that I have to modify and adjust, and as someone who always wants to do more or be "better," it's an entirely discouraging proposition to realize that this may not be the time for such aspirations.

Last week, as I was participating in a non-cycling activity, my back was injured. It was the sort of injury that left me barely able to walk or stand upright. I'm not entirely sure how I made it home on my bike, but I did. When I finally limped through the door, I let out a wail, "Why now?!" It was all I could think to cry to the skies. I have a history of back injury, but over the last several years I've been able to, at least for the most part, keep severe injury at bay with regular exercise and strength training. It just seemed unfair that one false move had now crippled me.

The morning following the injury, I went to the walk-in Urgent Care office to see if there was anything that would help ease the pain. I've went through this before many years ago and until the muscles decide to relax, it's challenging to get everything back in place. In addition, I'd been asked to shoot some photos of an outdoor wedding in the mountains the following day, and knowing that I am not a photographer by any stretch of the imagination, the added pressure of now being injured wasn't helping my stress levels.

The doctor was sympathetic, but informed me that all activity is out the window until I'm on the mend. No kickboxing, no running, no walking the dogs, no picking anything up, and no riding a bike. Pretty much, she wanted me to sit on a firm surface and wait for the injury to heal.

Not exactly what I wanted to hear. I had just started a running schedule again over the last few weeks and was working toward a goal before mid-August. Kickboxing is my go-to exercise and happens several times a week. Riding a bicycle? That one hurt most of all. How can I not ride a bike? It's not just a form of exercise for me, it's transportation.

Of course, I've never been one to exactly follow what anyone tells me, even doctors. I view it as more of a suggestion, a guideline, if you will. The next day, I decided to take a short trip by bike up the road and while it certainly wasn't the easiest thing I've done recently, as long as I didn't push too hard, I seemed to be okay.

Riding a bike - even short trips - has been my reflection time. It's the opportunity to clear out everything in my head and attempt to find new strategies for whatever is in front of me. With all of the previously existing injury frustration, this set back wasn't helping matters.

*Image found here

Dealing with the ongoing issues from early in the year and then adding in this injury, I was starting to question everything. It's easy to start feeling like a victim. The "why me" questions take over and it's all too easy to find myself spinning downward and out of control. Later, I went through the usual - though necessary - self-pity type of thoughts: It seems unfair, why am I being punished, where did I go wrong, will I ever be able to reach the goals I've set?

In reality, this is a temporary setback. All of the injuries will be relatively short-lived (at least I hope), and while I may not be healing from the earlier injuries and strains as swiftly as I'd hoped, we have found ways to modify my bikes and I've tried to come to grips with the idea that long rides are just not as likely until everything heals and/or works itself out.

I've attempted to look at this time as an opportunity to find solutions rather than focusing on what I cannot do. I'm missing out on some things, yes, but perhaps there is reason for it. Maybe I need this time to learn something about myself or to understand that not everything goes exactly as we plan it. Sometimes, I think I've learned a lesson, only to find myself in the midst of a similar situation, at which point I start to question whether I truly learned what I was supposed to or not.

At the moment, I am on a search for balance in all things, trying to accept that I have (what I hope are) temporary restrictions, and within these limitations still set goals and strive to be a better me. It's not an easy task for someone who dreams big, and who doesn't take no as an answer to something truly desired. Fortunately, I don't give up easily.

In all of this, I ask as a reader for your patience as I fight through demons and attempt to jump over hurdles [screw what the doc says - I can still fight and jump :O)]. I have no intention of focusing on my personal injury issues (unless they somehow relate to the topic being discussed), but know that I am trying to find ways to work around current bumps in the road which may result in periods of silence or an occasional slightly off-normal-topics post.

I have no plans to stay off my bike, but I also understand that there are constraints to what is currently possible. I am anxious for healing to take place (and it is already happening) and looking forward to resuming what would be regular rides sooner than later. In the meantime, I may take this opportunity to do more reviews of parts that I've neglected to talk about thus far, or to write about past events that managed to go by without acknowledgement.

*Image found here

We are presented with challenges every day. Some are easier to contend with than others, but I hope that whatever you face in your today, you meet it with determination and a belief that you are capable of solving any dilemma and overcoming any obstacle.

Happy riding, my friends. I look forward to being back in the saddle for extended periods of time in the near future.

Injuries and Pain: How Do You Make the Most of It?

Since starting our house renovation in December, my hands and wrists have taken a serious hit. I hadn't thought much about it because we had a lot to do and I really wanted to get it done as quickly as possible, but we are both now feeling the ramifications of our actions (and sadly, we're still not done - though I'm not sure any house is ever "done"). It doesn't help that I started out with hand issues before the work began, but I'm trying to find ways to work through it.

Even though the work has slowed dramatically over the last couple of months and we can go days without touching anything renovation-related, I still experience the same pains and numbness that I did when we were working at a more hardcore rate. When I wake up, my hands are swollen, my fingers don't open and close, I have a couple of trigger fingers that get stuck if I can get them squeezed at all, and the problems seem to be spreading up my arms rather than healing.

We both continue to say that we just need to spend a few days doing absolutely nothing with our hands, but that's no easy task. Just about everything other than sitting somewhere staring is going to require some sort of hand movement or pressure.

One can imagine that this also takes a toll on riding a bike. It's difficult to ride a bicycle and not use hands and even though I spent a great deal of my youth attempting to ride hands-free (who knew it would come in handy later in life?), it isn't entirely practical in adulthood. Though I gravitate toward bicycles that have the ability to take a good deal of pressure off of my hands, no bicycle is hand-pressure free (perhaps a recumbent, but that's a topic of discussion for another day).

It's not the first time I've had injuries to survive during the warmer months of the year, but I think it's one of the very few times I have felt so completely handicapped. I've found myself trying to complete longer distances, only to be completely cut short by my current state of pain. It's amazing to have the will to do something, body and mind that are willing to cooperate, and then be struck down by one seemingly small issue.

As I realize we are more than half way through May, I am aware of how quickly summer is approaching. A bit of panic is setting in because I have big plans for rides this year, and although I understand the current injury isn't something I can push my way through (such as with muscle exhaustion on a long ride), I am frustrated and wanting to get through this so that I can build to longer distances.

A small sneak peek at the new bicycle in the E.V.L. home

I have a new bike that had been in research phase for some time, but a decision was finally made (more to come on this soon). It arrived a few weeks ago, but it's challenging to fully test it when the extent of riding is short distances and lots of stopping in between. In order to get through any type of ride, I've had to come to an understanding that stopping every 2-4 mi/3-6km is an absolute necessity right now and as much as I want to push my way through the pain, this is one battle my obstinance is not going to win.

Rather than completely giving up, I have accepted the reality that, at least for the time being, I will take short rides and/or adventures that require many stops along the way. It's challenging to work up strength in this manner, but when given the alternative of doing no riding at all, I think it makes far more sense to simply do what I am able to do at present.

When you've had to deal with more serious or painful injuries, how have you made it through time off or on your bike? Do your modify riding until you're healed or stay away completely? I realize this is entirely dependent on the injury as some would not allow riding at all, but I wonder how others choose to get through the times that require modification.

Ultimately, I'm glad to be able to still ride, even if it isn't exactly in the manner I had hoped for this spring/summer.

Suggestions for Cycling and Knee Pain?

** First, and completely off topic for the post, I want to say that you all are some amazing people. My most sincere thanks to those of you who went to vote (and passed along the link to others) in the Pedal the Plains "Plain Pedaler" contest. I try not to ask much of others via social media -or the blog- but this was something I really would like to do, and I am so grateful that folks (many of whom have never heard of me, spoken to me, read here, etc) took the time to go and vote. There is no word as of yet in regard to the outcome of things, but regardless of what happens, I just wanted to say thank you.  :O)  **

As some are already aware, one of my knees is not the best. I had an injury in my early adult years that caused some water on the knee and other issues and since that time, that knee has never been quite right. As long as I don't do anything too terribly stupid, I seem to be able to manage things. Other than long flights or events in stadium seating, I seem to do okay, and even then, as long as I get up and stretch occasionally, pain is minimal. Once in awhile, I have some issues on the bicycle, but those are generally when I've been pushing too hard (either with climbing or distance - or both) and it subsides over time.

Over the last year (or so), I have started experiencing pain in my "good" knee, however, and I don't know quite why nor how to resolve the problem and I'm hoping someone may have some suggestions or ideas as to what is taking place.

*Image from Runner's World

Initially, I thought the problems were due to improper set up on the bike, but after many adjustments, fittings, etc, that doesn't seem to be the problem. I also do a decent number of knee-strengthening exercises throughout any given week and have for some time now. While it's possible that the exercises could be causing some of the problems, I would hope that something meant to strengthen the knee isn't actually doing it more harm (and I try to pay attention to the things that are perhaps less beneficial or are flat out painful).

Generally the thing that seems to set off the knee pain appears to be time. At a certain point in a ride, the knee simply starts to ache or sometimes has shooting pains through it. I have tried to make some associations with the way I mount or start riding the bicycle when stopped as this seems to trigger it late in the ride, but I'm still not convinced that is the problem either. I have noticed that when I push off with the bad side, I do seem to trigger something in the good knee though - and I still haven't quite put a finger on why or how I am doing this, as the majority of my body weight is concentrated more on the bad knee.

The exact location of the aching/pain is pretty well centered in the area of the green circle on the diagram above (so, on the inner portion of the knee, and sometimes the right side- just below the knee cap). I don't think the pain is anything that will prevent me from continuing to cycle (particularly as I have cycled through it for the last year), but it would be nice to find a remedy to what has become an ever-increasing problem.

Do you have suggestions as to what this could be, or have you tried an exercise that has helped you alleviate knee pain when cycling? I always believed cycling would be less stressful for knees (at least compared to running), but I seem to still experience pains and would be interested to know if anyone else has found solutions.

Kinesio Therapeutic (KT) Tape - Does it Work?

At the ripe old age of 19, I was walking my dog through a park with my then-boyfriend. My pup had only two bad habits (the boyfriend had quite a few):  (1) If she spotted a squirrel she became a complete lunatic, writhing and jumping, attempting to get it; and (2) if she did actually get loose, she was prone to not coming when called, creating long searches to find her. On this particular trip to the park, I decided to try and jog with her as she was so full of energy. It started off just fine, but she soon spotted a squirrel at which point things took a turn for the worse. The only thing running through my mind was "don't let go of the dog," so it should come as no surprise that after a short distance of attempting to keep up with the sprinting sheepdog, I went flying through the air and landed with all my weight on one knee. The good news was, I didn't lose the dog. The bad was that I couldn't walk. Fortunately, my boyfriend (who was in hysterics watching this all go down) quickly realized I was injured and sought help. I ended up on crutches for a time, but I healed up over the weeks that followed and I thought that would be the end of that.

Unfortunately, it wasn't. As I got a little older, I would notice small aches in the knee. As time went on, if I sat too long in stadium or airplane seating, there was pretty severe pain, and every once in awhile I would somehow randomly re-injure the knee during other activities. Today, the knee is in almost constant (though varying levels) of pain. It's not to a state that would require surgery, but it can cause severe problems when running, and sometimes even when trying to ride a bike.  I've attempted to brace it with a wrap or bandage in the past when it acts up, but braces seems to limit mobility and they doesn't always help the problem. So, several months ago while perusing the local REI, I saw some KT tape and thought it might be worth a try. I had seen professional athletes using this on various parts of the body and thought if it worked, why not try it?

KT tape has actually been used for decades unbeknownst to me. Invented by a Japanese chiropractor in the 1970s, the claim is that it eliminates pain, reduces inflammation, relaxes muscles, helps with rehabilitation and enhances performance. After opening the package, I was skeptical that this could actually do anything to help as it is quite flimsy and feels a bit like an over-sized band aid. The package I bought was separated into individual strips of about 10 inches, but it can be purchased in uncut rolls as well. It can be found in both synthetic and cotton varieties, and I've heard and read both pros and cons of each. Not wanting to put the tape on incorrectly, I looked for videos on how to apply it, as it varies from one part of the body to the next. There are lots of videos out on the web to illustrate how to do this, but the one below illustrates how to apply for the knee.


The first time I used this tape, I was having a particularly bad knee day. I was supposed to go and run, but I wasn't certain my knee was ready to endure anything more than a gimpy walk for a few minutes. I decided to pull out the KT tape and see if it would do anything. After applying the tape, I stood up to walk around, and the twinge I was feeling with every step prior to applying the tape had disappeared. I shrugged and thought perhaps it was just a tweak I'd done when I got up, and not actually the tape, so I went out to run and was able to complete the planned 45 minute time without issue. Perplexed, I started looking up how KT tape works.

Medical professionals seem to be quite divided on the usefulness of this product, and according to Web MD, there is "...little quality evidence to support the use of kinesio tape over other types of elastic taping..." Most of the research seems to indicate that it is merely a placebo effect taking place and that there aren't any real benefits to using the product. However, those who support this taping have other thoughts. One explanation is as follows: Imagine a strained calf muscle. Old-school taping methods would dictate wrapping tape around the entire lower leg -- calf, shin, tibia, fibula and all -- almost like a mummy. While that would prevent further strain by immobilizing the injured muscle, it would also impede circulation and slow down the body's natural healing process. Kinesiology taping takes the opposite approach, using the tape to open up the muscle and allow full movement. Kinesiology tape is applied on top of an injured or strained area to stabilize it, but care is always taken to ensure that a muscle or tendon is never encircled with a ring of tape. As you move, the tape, skin and connective tissue (or fascia) over the muscle or tendon also move, pulling slightly away from the muscle and creating space for lymphatic fluid to flow around and cleanse the inflamed tissue.

*Image found here

I was surprised that even with my skepticism and expecting to have wasted my money, the tape actually seemed to do something. Since that first round, I've used it many times and each time I apply it, the pain that is preventing me from even walking normally disappears and I can run without pain (well, at least without pain associated with the knee injury). It should be mentioned that this tape is not intended to treat or cure any problems (meaning that if you do require medical assistance or surgery, you should definitely still get that help), but it seems to work nicely for those recovering, in physical therapy, or with injuries that don't completely take them out of their sport.

One of my issues with this tape is that it isn't cheap, particularly if it's being used on a regular basis. Taping my knee, for instance, requires three pieces (and there are 20 in the precut rolls), so it doesn't last very long. Additionally, although many different brands state that it can be used for multiple days, rarely does the tape stay on longer than the duration of a two hour workout. By the time I'm sweating profusely, the adhesive is weak and starts to lose its sticking power, so there's no way it would stay on through showers and day-to-day happenings. A quick search of Amazon turns up a slew of brands to try, at varying prices. Reviewers debate the different types and brands, and there are always those who say it does nothing for them; but those who insist it works - and that it works well - are ever present as well.

My theory has been, even if it is a placebo effect, if it takes away my pain and allows me to do the activities I need and want to do, it's worth it. I have a difficult time believing that there isn't something actually beneficial taking place though, as I can go from limping to running in a matter of moments. If you've had an opportunity to try this tape on an injury, what was your experience? I would love to know if others have found it beneficial, or if you found it to be a waste of money.

Cycling Injuries: Do They Affect You/Your Cycling?

Just prior to the recent Venus de Miles ride, several individuals I know (both indirectly and directly) were injured while cycling. One had some broken ribs, a punctured lung and a few other minor injuries, another suffered a concussion, and another had a mishap at a signal/stop light and went directly over his handlebars resulting in some fairly monstrous bruises. Each of these riders was wearing a helmet, riding where s/he should be, and/or communicating with signals, but were injured doing something that many of us enjoy regularly without incident.

*Graphic found here

On the day of the Venus ride, there was an injury to one of the participants that was worse than any of those mentioned above. While I've yet to hear or read anywhere the exact details of the accident, I happened to witness first hand the rider on the ground just shortly after the fall.  It didn't look pretty. While I could see that she was indeed breathing, she wasn't moving much. At the time, a fairly substantial crowd was gathering around her and the paramedics were there to assist, so I knew that stopping would do no one any good. Later in the week, however, I was speaking with a friend who works at the local hospital and she has shared with me that there was a lot of damage done, and despite the positive outlook of the injured woman's family and friends, she is truly not doing very well. The extent of her injuries were not detailed to me, but she is currently in critical, though stable condition in the ICU. This woman is an experienced cyclist according to the website set up for updates about her condition.

There are other injuries that take place on a more regular basis for cyclists, such as muscle strains, back injuries, hand pain, and so on, but I personally find that I can avoid many of those with proper bike set up, awareness on the road, and taking breaks on long rides. With a number of more serious injuries to cyclists taking place so close together, I cannot help but reflect on my own riding tendencies and habits though. While I am not willing to live in a state of fear, nor to avoid riding because of possible injury, I have to admit that all of the incidents combined have made me pause and consider what I do on a daily basis. Do you find yourself being a more cautious cyclist when you hear about injuries, do you revise some of your regular routine(s), or do you take on more of an attitude that injuries will happen and just hope for the best when you're on the road?