My training is finally back on track after recent setbacks such as sciatica. I will try to post more often now, I think I had petered out somewhat, maybe due to being a bit discouraged. I'm doing a lot of PT, stretching and strengthening, for muscles around the lower back and hip area so hopefully … Continue reading Back on Track →

Last Sunday and Monday we had our first good rain of the season, over 2" total. Tuesday there were some residual showers but I was able to sneak an easy 30 minute ride in. Later in the day I did a short ride on my upright. I also did a hard upper body workout that … Continue reading Our First Heavy Rain of the Season Then Back To Sun →

As I mentioned in my last post I finished my group ride last week by taking a tumble while getting off my bike. I landed on my derriere pretty hard as well as my head. The head was well-protected by my helmet, and later that day I got a replacement with even better safety rating … Continue reading Recovered From My Last Mishap →

I decided my stamina had come back enough that I could try my Tuesday group ride. We did one of my favorite rides- "round the reservoirs" plus an out and back on Casa Loma Road. I rode my recumbent because it's easier on my back and less likely to cause a flareup of my stenosis. … Continue reading Back To Group Riding! →

http://www.Amazon.com/books I just read a really good book for patients on rehabbing spinal stenosis, by physical therapist Terri Night: "Rehab Your Own Spinal Stenosis: Strategies to Improve the Health of Your Spine". First of all it is very encouraging, pointing out that a lot of older folks have spinal stenosis and have no symptoms. She … Continue reading Good Book On Spinal Stenosis Rehab →

I saw my new orthopedic doctor for the first time today (my previous one had retired). I got surprising news: I have sciatica from my back (not the hip, such as piriformis muscle). An mri of my back shows bulging lumber disk and spinal stenosis, right where the sciatic nerve comes out on the left … Continue reading Surprising News From Ortho Doc →

I've made quite a bit of progress this last week. I now seldom have the sciatica pain down my leg. There is still some soreness in the left hip and S.I. joint but at least the nerve is not being squished. My easy rides are up to an hour, which is plenty enough for relaxation. … Continue reading Careful Continued Rehab →

It's been a bit over a week since I posted about my setback when I got overconfident and started exercising too much. This time I've been more careful coming back. I'm now about back to where I was before the setback. This time I will be much more careful not to overdo. I can ride … Continue reading On The Mend Again →

http://www.Amazon.com/books This is an entertaining book by Helen Summer about some of the most difficult ultramarathons in the world. It is a combination of jaw-dropping descriptions of the courses and first-person accounts by people who have run them. Most of the events are ultra-running, but there are some other adventures like kayaking and triathlons thrown … Continue reading Mental – The Toughest, Bloodiest And Hardest Challenges In The World →

By last Tuesday my sciatica symptoms were feeling a lot better so I got a bit too confident. I went for a 90 minute ride, and for about 50 minutes I rode my upright instead of recumbent, including a good amount of standing pedalling. It all felt great. Then when I got home my sciatica … Continue reading Setback! →