Time to go full send, well sort of.
After six weeks of non-weight bearing and four weeks of physical therapy, I am back to riding just nine weeks after a major knee injury! Initially, I was told it would be 12 weeks before I could ride park again, but here I am at week 9, already completing a trip to our local lift access park.
Rewinding a bit, my initial goal was to walk without crutches into Kinnick Stadium on August 31st for Iowa's first home game. I had no idea what the next month would bring with physical therapy and how fast my recovery would go.
At 6 weeks post-injury, I was allowed to start bearing weight with the assistance of both crutches. This marked the start of my accelerated recovery, and I progressed faster than my doctor and therapist anticipated. After 2 days of walking, I was down to 1 crutch, and by week 7, I ditched crutches altogether. With physical therapy twice a week at the clinic and exercises at home twice daily, I was making significant progress. I am surprised at how quickly I gained mobility and strength, from tackling stairs to being able to complete a full rotation on a stationary bike, to finally riding my bike on the trails and eventually hitting the local park. I have surpassed every goal I set for myself.
During my 8-week check-up with my doctor, he was surprised to hear that I was riding my bike on the paved trails and walking without my brace. I stopped using the brace once my mobility improved beyond its limitations. He was genuinely impressed and even called me a badass. He was also surprised I followed directions…I warned him at my first appointment that I generally don’t follow the rules. I am stubborn and take on any challenge that comes my way. This might be the first time I followed instructions. It paid off but I don’t see myself changing my ways, thinking outside the box, and coming up with alternative ways to do what I want is just who I am.
Currently, we are working on building up my muscles, as my right leg is noticeably smaller than my left - it's quite hilarious looking. I still get stiffness every morning and have to warm up my muscles to get going for the day.
My first trip back to the bike park was on Sunday. I took everything slow, paying attention to how my leg felt as I went down some blue trails and eventually some black trails. I started at 50% speed just to see how everything felt and if my knee would hold up to the pressure and force it needs to. I stepped it up with every trail I rode, eventually testing out a few smaller drops and jumps.
Steve and I rode Not So Wee (the trail I crashed on). We don’t think I did anything differently the day I crashed. We believe my front tire was low on air. After hitting the black drop line a few times, the jump line, and then the rock drop on Not So Wee, I had lost enough air that my tire rolled over on the berm where I crashed. This time I rode right on by at a much slower speed while thanking God that I was there 3 weeks ahead of schedule. Before I know it I will be hitting that rock drop and crushing the berm that took my summer from me.
Everything felt great, just like it always did before the injury. While I am not at 100% speed or hitting all the features I normally would, I love just being out there and riding.
My next goal is to work on stamina with my right leg. I made it about 3 hours on the park trails before I decided that was enough for the day. Better not to overdo it on the first day back. Steve got to go full send for the final 2 hours of the day before we enjoyed beer and pizza at the park restaurant.
I am ready to notch it up again this weekend with another trip to the park. Bring on more drops, jumps, and speed!
Until next time - send it!
