The Tiger Rebuilt: Rebuilding - XI

Everybody’s been there,

Everybody’s been stared down by the enemy

Fallen for the fear

And done some disappearing,

Bow down to the mighty

Don’t run, stop holding your tongue

Maybe there’s a way out of the cage where you live

Maybe one of these days you can let the light in

Show me how big your brave is

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I've been benched for nearly a month now and every time I do try to go out and exercise, mostly swimming, I wind up hurting a few hours later just walking. It's extremely frustrating especially since I am trying to lose weight. Why? Well, Halloween is coming up and I need to fit in my costume.

I had a dining affair with a gorgeous lady the other night who is just as active as I am if not more. We spoke about how restless we get when we are unable to exercise. Working out is not only an a drug in it's own right its a way of life. You take that away and you start to feel like you are living in captivity. Athlete's know whats up. Sometimes it depresses me and I get really down. Luckily sometimes my team mates are there to cheer me up. I won't mention their names but thank you Ms. Pancake! Although I'm sure you are well endow.....not that I've looked....not that I'm gay or anything....not that I have an issue with being....never mind I'll stop, i'm digging a pit I won't be able to climb out of.

Even worse news my left illiotibial band is also starting to become inflamed from friction now. Most likely due to over compensating for my right leg.

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If this little guy can do it, why can't I?

I received a second set of cortisone in both knees to help my legs out. I'm going to need to keep off them for another few weeks. What is a cortisone injection you ask? Very good question. Cortisone is a steroid naturally produced by the body. 17-hydroxy-11-dehydrocorticosterone is naturally produced by the body in reaction to stress. It is released by the adrenal glands. It is closely related to coritsol. Cortisone blocks the natural immune response from the body. One of the applications is reducing inflammation.

Many times cortisone is injected directly into a joint via a big ass needle (not the medical term). I tried looking it up. Let's stick with big ass needle. Anyway, luckily for me the doctor injected the bursa. A small fluid filled sac that separates varies layers of things in your body. Inflammation of such bursa is called bursitis.

Injection of the cortisone was done with an exploratory ultrasound machine. So the doctor could see the inside of my leg as the cortisone was being administered. Pictures to come. I found the whole process to be not too painful. You have a normal beesting as the needle is going in and some discomfort while the doctor is spreading the cortisone. I watched the needle go in and kept my eye on it and the ultrasound screen. On a positive note the doctor said I have huge muscles as evidenced by the ultrasound machine.

Side effects of cortisone include weakening of the joint (if injected into a joint) and weakness of the tendons (temporary, about a week), loss of fat in the treated area, skin discomfort/discoloration (temporary at worst).

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Picture unrelated, it's a Mai 3 legged tiger looking after the thing she made.

Physical Therapy

PT for short has certainly been a rollercoaster. It's comprised of several stages. First stage is a gentle warmup. Followed up with a stretch. Which leads into a deep tissue massage to breakup the scar tissue. Scar tissue is bad. Second to last stage is exercise to strength the muscles used to support my legs (hips, glutes, quads, everything in between). Lastly ice.

The therapist (therapi, therapie?, therapistes???) do something called Graston technique on my legs. Most athlete's should be familiar with this. It is a form of active release therapy. Active release is designed to treat overused/overworked muscles and centers around relieving tension caused by scarring. Sorry got lazy on this one and only linked the wikipedia article.

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Set of Graston Tools, around $2,000 or more for the set and you need to be licensed. Looks medieval doesn't it? It is.

It hurts, hurts bad, and leaves tough love marks. I feel like I've been Chris Browned after the sessions sometimes. See below. But this is actually good for me. It's breaking up of the scar tissue and realigning it. Allowing the tensor fasciae latae muscle to extend a bit allowing extra room for the illiotibial band to go around the knee.

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Left Leg

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Right Leg, you can't ask for anymore leg photos. I'm not stripping for your pleasure.

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Unrelated Pic - Alaskan Flat Tire. DAMNIT MOON MOON!!!!!!!

Chicago Triathlon - Sprint Distance

Although I had ITB(F)S. I still ran the Chicago Triathlon. I was in a lot of pain and I delayed my recovery for a lot longer than I thought I would. Yes I was a stupid poopy head and I shouldn't have done that. It is one of the reasons people don't STAY in the sport. Train smart, recover smart, stay in the game. I need to listen to my body going forward and use the form roller from hell every day.

I was in excruciating pain but you know what. With the help of PT and cortisone injections, I got myself through the race and I got myself a nifty token. I laughed, I cried, I screamed, I joked. I even asked out loud and proudly;

WHERE THE HELL IS THE SHORTCUT?
ARE WE THERE YET?
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And my favorite.
I'M DOING THIS FOR A KLONDIKE BAR?????

I haven't gotten that klondike bar. Sadly. However, the token was a medal not only a medal an awesome one! See below.

Mini Girl Update

She was adopted. I'm so happy. Although, I miss her dearly. Even though she was a brat. But I wish everyone could get a forever home. Will you make a pledge to donate to my Team PAWS 2014 fund? If so contact me. Look forward to new fundraising things to come. I will be free from captivity and I will race again. Will it be in 2014? Who knows, but I will still fund raise.