Lots going on this week with MRI results, tweaking rehab exercises, and testing training while injured. Six weeks ago I injured my left knee. This was three weeks prior to the USA Duathlon National Championships and I made the decision to train through it and hope for the best on game day. That game day went terribly wrong and now have answers to what happened and what lies ahead.
When I injured the knee, it felt dead and unstable while also having a burning sensation in the back. I was familiar with the burning sensation as I tore my meniscus 13 years ago requiring surgery. The dead feeling I may get every 6-8 months for a day or two and then it goes away. This time it has lasted for six weeks running.
The MRI results showed I have a tear in the meniscus, a sprained ACL, and swelling. Dr. Heidi Pickering, who shared the results with me has been fantastic! She also competes in triathlon and knows what I need to do. We chatted a bunch with the path forward of training while the knee heals. With that said, she also shared things I should and should not do. I always ask, “what can I, and what can’t I do?”
I also have been seeing Dr. Mike Abenejo who has treated me for years while healthy and figuring out things when not feeling right. He was in agreement with attempting to train while healing, receiving treatment, and doing my homework exercises.
This was huge for my head space as it is keeping me in the game for the World Championship August 18. I have to make a decision tomorrow if I’m pulling out…
After taking a full week off from training after Nationals, I picked it up again simply as I can’t afford to have any more down time if I’m going to go. I needed/need to determine if I can train through this. With the three weeks prior to Nationals being rough and since, I’ve lost a lot of my fitness on top of the injury. So re-engaging with efforts was a must for fitness.
The knee hasn’t feel good yet, but since getting the MRI results and adjusting some of the exercises I was doing, the meniscus burning sensation has gotten better. The dead feeling is less dead, but still there. I need to strengthen everything around the knee in conjunction with the healing and inflammation hopefully going down.
Today was a big test. I got the Florida Duathlon Boys together – Bob Brown, Ed Vasquez, and Sergio Myers. We met in Clermont to do a simulation – 6 mile run, 16 mile bike, and 5k run.
It was a mixed bag but I have to say overall it was a win. The plan for the first 6 mile run was to warm up for the first three and pick up the pace for the final three. We actually picked up the pace in mile two and I felt pretty good between miles 2-4. I then just didn’t have run miles in me and I dropped off in pace and effort knowing we had the bike and final run ahead. On top of it, it was already hot, very humid and getting worse by the minute.
The bike was mixed as well where I had spurts of ability with power. I just couldn’t sustain it for long at all. I just don’t have miles in my legs. I didn’t feel lack of power due to the knee however, so that was a good sign.
The final run was tough! The first 1.5 miles I had a decent pace considering the heat and just a couple times I had a couple knee flare ups, but due to an IT band issue I believe…not the other issues so I took that in stride. The final 1.5 miles was a cool down as I ran out of steam again without having miles in me.
One of the most significant signs for these tests is how the knee feels and responds after the workout. The boys and I walked a half mile to grab a bite to eat and it was the best it’s felt since the injury! Later in the afternoon I am finding it sore and swollen still, but the meniscus fire is minimal and I have some weakness still, but it’s not entirely dead…win! So, progress…
Tomorrow I have a long endurance ride, short easy run, and getting treatment late in the day so I will see how things go and make a decision on Worlds. As of right now, I’m in the game…
I recorded a vlog on the way home getting my thoughts on what has transpired if you would like to watch as well.
– Add Health to Your Life
The Healthy Giraffe 
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