socialy retarded

I gained some and lost a lot

Posted on 28. Jul, 2010 by Derrick in Triathlon training

I was faced with a decision that has put me in inner turmoil. I’ve always been goal orientated and when I’m not able to achieve that ambition, I don’t take the disappointment all too well.

3 weeks ago I went on a 12 mile run, and on the way back the last 3 miles I experienced pain in my right knee. This is the same knee that I have an audible click in when I squat down. This is also the same knee that my orthopedic surgeon pronounced to be “worthy” of an arthroscopy to partial or subtotal menisectomy and debridement.

I did my usual procedure of ice bath, ibprophen, and recovery shake. The swelling normally goes away in 3 hours and my legs feel fine in 24 hours, but this time the pain lasted 3 days. I decided to go to my Ortho (who happens to be a runner and triathlete) to get his opinion.  He said that from my initial visit in January, that the 60+ mile running weeks have created floating or displaced tissue, and that “IF” I continued for the next two months of 70-80 mile running weeks I would do enough damage to require surgery in mid to late October.

The procedure and recovery time would be dependent on how much damage I’ve done over the last 5 months of training since he gave me the initial a-o-kay in March. His estimate without having to do another MRI is that I’ve shortened the time from 5 years to within the next year  that I’ll need surgery. He did opinion that if I went ahead with my half ironman and continued to train that the floating debris may continue to make my knee inflamed and or prevent me from fully extending or contracting my right leg.

I’ve been spending countless hours training for this half ironman. It has been a goal of mine since I competed and trained last summer for my first triathlon season. Even the entrance fee for the race is non refundable and only transferable to myself for future dates. I almost feel like my blood sweat and tears is what has led to my ultimate seasons demise.

Since my visit, I’ve had to sit with friends and family to discuss my option. Continue and guarantee myself a date with the scalpel, or stop training and maybe with some cycling and low impact stuff I’ll prolong the possibility of surgery. My family and I have not had the best luck with “routine” surgeries. After talking with my little sister, I’ve decided to quit training and bow out of my first half ironman bid.

BUT! All is not lost. I’m an optimist and look at the silver lining in this situation.

When I started this project of slimming down in 08’, I weighed in at 222lbs. That was the beginning. Since that time I’ve lost 69lbs and as of writing this blog weigh in at 153lbs. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t all flab. I was a meat head that went to the gym every day, but still carried a good spare tire of fat (or beer) around my mid section. I’ve lost a ton of fat, but along with that a ton of muscle mass in my shoulders, legs and arms.

At the beginning of last season I weighed 205. I lost 20lbs last summer and in September of last year was 185lbs. I’ve lost an additional 33lbs and I feel amazing. I’m in the best shape of my life since I was 19 and feel blessed that I can still keep up with people 10 years my junior.

These are the before and after pics, same jeans.

I’m now going back to being a meat head. I like that I’ve accomplished a lot, but I’m way way to skinny for my own good right now. I’d like to be back up to 190 but maintain my level of cardio so as to not gain my muffintop again.