Back on the bike! ( sort of )

Friday's physical therapy session put me back on the bike. Yep, I was able to jump on their recumbant bike and pedal with the following directions; only use your left leg for power, your right leg ( the repaired one) is just along for the ride and the range of motion. Easier said than done.

I have practiced one-legged pedaling drills for years to smooth out my pedal stroke and get the most out of every rotation, but I've always had clip on pedals and the right shoes. There at the PT office, I had neither, so it was an exercise in brain-to-foot communication to force it to pull up on the upstroke and push over the top of the stroke. I was able to do it, but I was sure that when I had the right shoes on at home.

So this morning I pumped up my bike, which is currently on a bike trainer device

and carefully got onto my bike, which was actually very tough with the use of only one leg. I strapped myself into my clip on shoes and almost immediately had a religious experience as I turned the first full rotation of the pedals. It turns out that my triathlon bike puts my knee to at least 120 degrees of reflexion as it comes around. Bear in mind, that I can get to 120 degrees with the help of my physical therapist pushing on it. And, I'm it hurts. So, repeatedly hitting that 120 degree mark as I pedaled involved cussing, sweating, and prayers to God for help- repeated over and again in various order. I was able to stay on the bike for 5 minutes and will make it a daily happening from now on, while trying to increase my time each day. What it did make me realize is how far I still have to go before I am "normal" again. I'll need to be able to pedal without pain in each stroke and I know it will happen, but getting from here to there seems like a long way off. Wish me luck.