Not to sound like a broken record but winter training can be challenging. The colder temps, grey days, and less sunlight can lead to motivational challenges. It is nothing new but Winter has become a sort of Groundhog period for me. I lament each year yet somehow find ways to get the workouts done.
After the Snowy Owl 10 miler and some short recovery time, I started to look forward to the upcoming race season. Sometimes simply visualizing competing in races and events can motivate me to lace up and get the workouts done. After all, I do enjoy working out but sometimes, it is like going down a slide. Climbing up the ladder brings nervous anticipation and once at the top, I sometimes need a little push. One of my goals for the new year was to add more strength training into my routine. To that end, I subscribed to the NPR Life-kit Newsletter which offers advice and inspiration for exercise and healthy living. Following the science, I added a strength training routine into my weekly workout schedule. I also added in weekly yoga to compliment all my running and biking workouts. I was rolling along pretty good, running trails a few times a week, doing cycling workouts on my trainer in Zwift, and getting in some consistent strength training. I was getting into the groove nicely!
Just as I was getting into the groove, Mother Nature decided to intervene. Our area got a big snow and ice storm that put a damper on doing anything outside. Roads and sidewalks were impassable so I was confined to indoor Zwift workouts. That was not so bad but I had to be imaginative to stay motivated to ride the trainer every day. I was doing pretty well until I had a little disaster.
After spending a Saturday afternoon driving all over town looking for a nice metal shovel to remove the several inch thick coating of ice around my car, I finally asked friend if I could borrow a shovel from him. Jackpot, he loaned me a real nice flat blade metal shovel with a fiberglass handle. It was the perfect tool. As someone who enjoys removing snow, I got right to it. I was making mad progress when all the sudden, I slipped and fell on the ice. When I fell, I hyper extended my shoulder and found myself in the worst pain I have felt in a very long time. Was it worse then when I broke my clavicle in a bike crash during Ironman Louisville in 2015? Maybe. Was it more painful when I had a chest tube inserted with no anesthetic (including rib spreader)? Maybe so. It hurt so bad and I was now on the ground, lying in the fetal position on the thick ice. My phone had fallen out of my pocket but thankfully I was able to retrieve it and call my wife who sprang into action to rescue me from the ice and take me to the ER at VCU Health.
I was in immense pain. As I waited in the ER, I was moaning in pain. I felt like a child but could not stop moaning. As I waited for intake and triage, then x-ray, then treatment, I started to shiver and shake. Was it from the cold or something else, I am not sure. I tried to keep myself calm with deep breaths which helped. I also thought of my brother John. He had been through so much and was always able to endure. I tried to visualize the end state of being treated and the pain going away which helped me not totally freak out.
After what seemed like a very long time, I was wheeled into a room and given IV medications which helped relieve the pain. The doctor then manipulated my humorous bone back in the shoulder socket. I felt instant relief. It was really uncanny how quickly the pain subsided after the manipulation. I was released not long after that with a sling and prescription for some meds and physical therapy. All told, I was in the ER for about 5 hours. Not terrible at all really. But wow, the pain, it was intense.
Since that ordeal last Saturday evening, I have had a follow up and have my first Physical Therapy appointment scheduled for next Monday. I still can't drive and do certain things like tie my shoes. Melissa is stuck doing all the daily chores and taking care of me but each day I am doing a little better. I am hoping to get back in the groove but have adjusted by expectations for spring races. My A race for the year is not until September so I have lots or time. I am hopeful that I can race a trail race that I am signed up for in March but I will have to wait and see how PT goes.
Be careful out there folks. A simple slip and fall can be disastrous. Thankfully I have Melissa to take care of me. Looking forward to getting back in the groove, maybe in March.
