"Piriformawhat?"

Tuesday, June 11, 2013
The pain in my buttocks continued unabated and made sleeping difficult.  I got up in the morning knowing that it was time to communicate with Nilesh, my sports med doc.  I sent him an email describing the pain and what led to the onset.  He replied with concerns that I was suffering from piriformis syndrome.  I had no idea what this was, but it sounded ominous.  A little internet research of WebMD returned some useful information. 

“Piriformis syndrome is an uncommon neuromuscular disorder that is caused when the piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve. The piriformis muscle is a flat, band-like muscle located in the buttocks near the top of the hip joint. This muscle is important in lower body movement because it stabilizes the hip joint and lifts and rotates the thigh away from the body. This enables us to walk, shift our weight from one foot to another, and maintain balance. It is also used in sports that involve lifting and rotating the thighs -- in short, in almost every motion of the hips and legs.”

The article went on to say that this pain is often brought on by prolonged sitting, as in driving a car.  It didn’t mention sitting in a kayak, but I’ve had the second worst pain when driving long distances, so I think Nilesh may be onto something.  His email told me he was going on vacation for two weeks and that I could see his associate, but I’ve opted to wait for his return.

Savannah and I did the Survival Workout despite my walking pain.  Since most of the workout focuses on core and upper body right now, the soreness, while bothersome, did not interfere.  When we returned home, I baked the salmon I’d purchased and made some rice with eggs mixed in.  I anxiously await Holly’s return for some better cooking.

Survival Workout:  60 minutes.

Training Heart Rate:  100-150 bpm.
Calories burned:  600.

A throbbing hip...

Monday, June 10, 2013
I tossed throughout the night trying to get comfortable with a hip that had other ideas.  It perplexes me that I’m having so much pain and discomfort simply from sitting in a kayak.  I could understand if I’d run, hiked, or cycled to this injury, but I was doing none of the above.  So…I’ll leave it up to the doctor to figure out what’s wrong.

I planned to meet Savannah at home and then travel to the park for a Survival Workout to be followed by some bleacher work.  I’d found that walking around during the day had loosened the hip somewhat, though it was still painful.  Walking up and down the bleachers was probably the wrong thing to do, but I didn’t want to tell Savannah I was a baby with a little hip pain.

When Savannah walked into the house, she noted that I was ready to go but began a quick backpedal.  “I’m REALLY tired.  I’m not so sure I want to work out tonight,” she said.

Normally, I’d have started giving her a load of shit but I was feeling much the same myself.  I decided the hip would give the rest of me the night off for recovery and see what tomorrow would bring.  Sometimes, I do the smart thing entirely by accident.

Kayaking with Heidi...

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Heidi was going to be out of town on Father’s Day and decided that she wanted to meet up with me a week early and go for a Father’s Day kayak on the Upper Cuyahoga River.  I’ve done very little kayaking and really need to get moving on it if I’m going to be doing 120 miles of Lake Erie’s shore in two months.  The last few times I have kayaked, I’ve experienced so much pain in my left hip that it has become very unpleasant.  I’ve tried adjusting the pedals for the rudder and hope that will make a difference.

Heidi has been training for a half Iron Man triathlon (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike ride, 13.1 mile run) for a couple of months.  She is getting really fit and when she came out to help me load the kayaks on the Jeep, hoisted them easily overhead.

“You’re getting some serious guns there Heidi,” I said, referring to her upper body strength.

She beamed with that and helped strap the kayaks to the rack.  We arrived at Russell Park and began to unload the kayaks when the deer fly began to attack.  I’d put bug spray in my car for just such an occasion…but we weren’t IN my car.  As we paddled down the river, they began to bite in earnest.  I followed my standard protocol, smashing them against my body and leaving their entrails for others to witness in hopes that they’d stay clear of the killing zone.  And as always, they continued to bite. 

We traveled slowly down the river taking in the serenity of the water and solitude of the river.  If not for the bugs, it would have been perfect.  I felt good for almost an hour, but once the pain started in my hip, there was no relief.  The last 20 minutes were extremely painful and I concluded that I’d have to see my sports med doc, Nilesh, for some relief.

We did spend 90 minutes on the water and though I didn’t drop copious amounts of sweat, I considered it a good workout.  I really need more time in the saddle, on the water, and doing easy hikes to be ready for Tour Ohio.  Intensity really isn’t that important to completing my trek.

Kayak duration:  90 minutes.

Training Heart Rate:  90 bpm.
Calories burned during workout:  650.

Another amazing state meet...

Saturday, June 8, 2013

I was standing in front of the Chipoltle menu board and the server was asking what I would like to eat.  It was noisy in the store and my hearing isn’t the best, so I leaned my head over the plexiglass that served as a barrier to the customers and the food.

“Sir…could you please move back,” he said politely.

I moved back and watched his lips move, so I knew he was asking me something else.  I leaned in again to hear him and he again asked me to lean back.  I pointed at my ears to indicate I couldn’t hear him, but he kept asking me things in that soft voice.  He passed me along to the next server who would be adding a meat and other ingredients to my burrito.  His lips were moving, too, though I only heard about every third word.  I leaned in again.

“Excuse me, sir, but you have to keep your face behind the plexiglass,” he said.

“If I do, I can’t hear a word your saying.  And besides…your face is right over all the food and you don’t have a mask or hairnet, so what’s the difference?” I asked.

He didn’t have an answer to that, but I suppose they delouse and sanitize themselves inside and out before starting their shifts so that no unwanted germs drift from their persons to the food they’re serving.  Though I don’t want them sneezing or drooling on my food, I really don’t worry too much about germs floating onto what I’m about to eat.  I have an immune system that I try to keep strong by introducing it to these things so I’ll be able to fight them off.  You simply can’t avoid all germs by using hand sanitizers, gloves or even a plastic bubble.  I figure I just have to face them head on.

As usual, the state meet was full of amazing competition, including for the first time in the state of Ohio, wheelchair competition.  Ohio became the 17^th state to add wheelchair events to their track and field itinerary and there were probably 8 different competitors in the 100, 400, 800 meter races and the shot put.  They received a huge ovation when taking the track and again as they received their awards.  It was impressive and moving.

The sun was beating down on us all day so we opted to leave between Division II and I to find some shade.  With the Ohio State softball stadium immediately behind us, we made our way there and into the dugout for the 1-hour intermission.  Towards the end of that hour, it occurred to me to go and check for open doors on the building next to the field that housed the batting cages Kim and I had snuck into and used two years earlier.  To my surprise, they were open again.  I hurried back to the dugout.

“You guys need to grab your stuff and come with me,” I told Savannah and Marie.

They followed not knowing what to expect and when I led them into the building and they saw the cages and bats, quickly got nervous.  “Should we be in here?” Savannah asked.

“Look…the door’s unlocked and everyone knows I come to Columbus every year to watch the state track meet.  If they didn’t want me in here, they should lock the doors,” I said. 

Savannah didn’t was too much time pondering, but instead grabbed a bat and headed for the cage.  I was already at the pitcher’s mound with three balls in my hand.  I started throwing and she stared whacking.  After 20 swings, Marie stepped in while Savannah manned the camera.  When someone knocked at the door, both girls froze like bank robbers with a handful of twenties.

“Don’t worry…the door was open and we’re just hitting balls.  It’s what this room is for and it’s always easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission,” I hypothesized.

It was just some kids pulling on door handles like I always do and they quickly left when they found a door with people behind it…people who acted like they belonged where they were.

I suppose it’s not the best lesson to teach young folks entrusted to my care, but it was fun and we cleaned up and left no trace of our presence.  I think Marie enjoys going along since I tend to stir up trouble with each trip; something she feels comfortable with.

I ate poorly all day and didn’t do much of anything resembling exercise.  It was the state track and field championships though and I enjoyed the best entertainment of the year.  I slept without guilt that night.

Hiking, bleachers and camping out before the state meet...

Friday, June 7, 2013
As the time for Tour Ohio draws closer, I start to think about how little hiking I’ve done.  I suppose I’ll be counting on all my cycling training to carry me through hiking 20 miles a day for several days, but that really isn’t a solid approach.  I need to take some 10-15 mile hikes to get my feet and walking muscles in some kind of shape or the hiking could lead to some small, nagging injury that could become debilitating on the trail.  I was heading to Columbus for the state meet camp out and didn’t have time for a long ride, so I opted for a hike in the park.

I don’t really break much of a sweat hiking and my heart rate never goes over 100, so I wrestle mentally with calling this a workout.  It still is and is an important part of being ready for Tour Ohio, but as I climbed into the car after hiking for an hour, I felt the need to do more.  On the drive home, I pulled into Mayfield High School and drove back to the track where I parked and headed for the bleachers.  I managed 14 sets before noticing that time and the need to get home.

I showered and began the process of packing the car for a one night campout.  It ended up just being Marie and me for camping, but we had a nice campfire and good conversation about running, Tour Ohio, the Purdue track program, injuries and everything in between.  We hit our tents a little after midnight and I was just falling asleep when someone pulled into the camp site next to ours.  Never giving any thought to those around them, they attempted to build a large fire (failed because they didn’t know how) and generally raised a commotion for the next hour.  Either they didn’t have a lick of common sense about the disturbance they were making for those trying to sleep or they just didn’t give a shit, but either way, they kept me awake for the next hour.  They finally petered out and turned in themselves.  I figured I’d get up early and see what I could do to wake them up.

Hike duration:  70 minutes.  Bleachers: 10 minutes.

Training Heart Rate:  90 bpm hiking and 130 for the bleachers.
Calories burned during workout:  400 hiking and 150 in the bleachers.

Working out in the rain...

Thursday, June 6, 2013
It was raining but warmer and I had gear in the trunk.  I decided it would be a good day for a Survival Workout and texted Savannah to see if she wanted to join me.  She is almost always game and today was no different.  We arrived at the park to a light drizzle and plenty of mud, which would make climbing hills and swing sets out of the question.  I’d already done my push-ups, so I watched Savannah as she did her first set.

“Hey…perfect form.  You’re not bending your back and you’re going really low.  Nice job,” I said. 

She had clearly gained strength.  She was doing 15 ‘boy’ push-ups with perfect form.  We made our way to the first rock lifting station where she continued to impress me with her strength and the way she pushed to the final rep.  The most gains in strength are made when you’re challenging yourself and struggling with the final lift.  She was doing this consistently.

We made our way over a swollen Clear Creek and on to the cabins and swing set.  I attempted to climb, but the poles were simply too slick from the rain.  I would be missing those reps today, but added in some extra overhead rock lifts and rock rowing to make up some of the difference.

We finished up in a little over an hour, muddy and wet.  It was a day to do nothing and we’d managed to get in a decent workout anyway.  I always feel better when overcoming the elements and once you’re wet, it really feels pretty good to be out in the rain.

Survival Workout:  60 minutes.

Training Heart Rate: 100-150 bpm.
Calories burned:  600.

Biking for a cause...

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

My friend Bruce called to say that Todd was in town and they were going for a bike ride with some of the guys doing the ride to ‘MS Pedal to the Point’ in August.  Pedal to the Point is a 150-mile, 2-day trip dedicated to raising money to combat multiple sclerosis.  It has been going on for 27 years and is a wonderful way to get into distance cycling while making a difference in someone’s life…likely yours.

“We ride slow and I know you and Todd are pros, but you’re welcome to join us,” he said.

I’m not much of one for riding in groups, even small ones, and I knew they’d be riding busy roads around Willowick, Willoughby and Mentor…not my first choice by any stretch.  Still, Todd was in town and it would give us a chance to discuss Tour Ohio, which was approaching rapidly.  “I’ll be there,” I said.

They’d be riding 15-20 miles on flat terrain so I knew I needed something extra to make it a good workout.  I left my house and headed south towards hills and Old Mill Road.  I figured I could ride 90 minutes in a huge loop and arrive at Bruce’s place in time to join them, then ride hard coming home afterwards.  It was a good plan.  At least I thought it was.

I put in about 30 miles and arrived in his driveway sweating and tired.  Todd looked ready to chew steel.  He was in outstanding cycling shape and could toast me easily.  I could do the same to the other three riders, so they must have been completely intimidated by him.  We headed east at a leisurely pace when I noticed one of the riders, a retired firefighter and wearing a shirt about safety, wasn’t wearing a helmet.

“Where in the hell is your helmet?” I asked.

“I really don’t like them.  People give me shit about it all the time, too,” he said.

“Ever wonder why?” I asked.  I wasn’t letting up.

He continued with some lameness…he knew it was lame…and so I backed off.  It was his funeral, after all, but he looked so strange riding without one.  I suspect it’s a requirement to ride with one in ‘Pedal to the Point’, but if it’s not, it should be.  Later in our ride I proved that point when we came to a stop light and I found myself leaning the wrong way with one foot still clipped in the pedal.  I fell and landed hard on my hip, embarrassed but not injured.  The point?  Anyone can fall anytime and it doesn’t take much of a clunk on hard pavement to severely hurt an unprotected noggin.

It was getting later and we were heading further east…away from Highland Heights…when I realized I was going to have trouble making it home in daylight.  I told the others as much and that I needed to turn around.  Bruce encouraged me to just ride back to his place for burgers and a beer after which he’d throw my bike in his car and drive me home.  It was tempting…the burgers part anyway…but I could see that I’d get in around 60 miles if I kept riding and since it was a perfect night to ride and I was already out, I declined and pedaled on.

I arrived home just before dark road weary and covered in crusted salt.  I’d been on the bike for three and a half hours and felt strong.  The conditioning was coming along and I was gaining confidence that if I paced myself correctly, I could ride 75-100 miles a day for a couple of weeks as I would need to do during Tour Ohio.  It was a comforting feeling.

Bike duration:  Three hours and 45 minutes.

Training Heart Rate:  120 bpm.
Calories burned during workout:  3150.