Thanks Raider, if that's the case today's run probably wasn't too bright...

Tuesday,

Got together with a few buddies today and ended up running 13 miles at my easy pace.  I didn't feel bad, so hopefully no harm done.  We'll see...

I've had a couple of very good -- albeit very short -- runs recently with no residual pain or stiffness. Should I declare myself officially on the mend? I'm still going to take it very easy and will skip my traditional Crim 10-miler and fall half-marathon this year. I'll probably be back at it next year, but with a different outlook, and will not be going for any PRs in the foreseeable future.

Ribs should be back at home by now and I expect he'll be checking in on us shortly. Watch what you say about him when he's not here!

ETA: Euphie, I bought my bike without much research and before I knew how much I'd like road biking. It's a Specialized Sequoia, but I've upgraded it with some better wheels and 105 10-speed components. I'd like to get a more serious carbon-framed bike, but that'll have to wait another couple of years. How about you?

Message was edited by: rochrunner

I would kill to drive over to Ft. Worth tomorrow and see KS, but I am not too springy today.  I got home this afternoon and had lunch and immediately slept 5 hours!  KS's reports were pretty accurate.  had I not had a couple of small setbacks I would have been home yesterday.

Obervations: the tissue aortic valve they put in is enormous.  It is a swine valve. Normally a person my size would get a 19-21 mm valve.  Dr. thought he could do a 23 with me because of the size of the heart and the tissue he had available to work with.  He ended up putting in a 25.  Heart and lungs are in his words, "tremendous".

Often on this site we talk about not doing something stupid, in the area of too much training or racing. Believe me, I have a long way to go to think of things like that. I start rehab tomorrow and it will be all walking and core strengthening.

Upon hearing my successful surgery news my local running club started  a contest for a new handle for me.  Winners:  Pork ribs and Spare parts.

Spock, hope that groin heals up soon.

Thanks all of you for your support.  It meant a lot.  Now back to walking/running/exercise.  

Are you kidding me? They turned him loose already.

You are one popular dude, Mr. Ribs. Great to see that mug again.

Ribs, good to read you're home and the beat goes on! Will you ever look at a piece of bacon the same way again? Thank goodness my ortho guy didn't say "tremendous" as he looked at my sit bones.

Rich, please don't wait for an over use injury to force you to take the recovery time you need. My pt's words, "It's not like you're making a living from doing this.", still echo in my head once in a while. I forgive anyone who may be thinking, "And for good reason.", about the echo part. At "our age" it's good to learn something new. The endorphins are out there in many forms.

KS, sending good wishes for a cool race.

Roch, I have an Orbea and struggled over the full carbon or aluminum/carbon combination. The full carbon may give a a slightly more forgiving ride, but I couldn't justify the price difference. If anything, I would have upgraded the components. Getting measured on an ajustable-fit bike was the best thing I did. The shop spent about 3 hours from getting the shoe cleat in the best position to figuring out my geometry. I think getting a good fit is as important as the frame material. As far as the return from injury goes, I'm a pain wimp. The minute it hurts, I back off the road, take some Motrin, and sit on a bag of frozen vegetables. I'm also doing a metric century next week.

Fred and Jim, I often chuckle at your use of "slow". I'm hoping Fred's comments about heat are true for me and I will notice a dramatic increase in speed once temperatures drop.

So far this week I've ridden 65 miles on Sunday, did 4 on the road Tuesday, and one hour at the pool yesterday. I'm heading out for a run now with no planned distance.