October 22,23,24,25&26, 2009
These last several days have been a real drag. I am trying to get my Coumadin(blood thinner)regulated. It has to be at a certain level and sometimes it takes a while to regulate it. I have decided not to begin working out again until it is regulated and time has pasted so the blood clots could dissolve. I feel fine and I am getting real antsy just waiting around.
Tried speaking to my wife about the biking but she was not up to it yet. I think she knows how I feel and is putting off talking about it. I believe I can minimize the risk by biking only 3 or 4 days outside, only in sunny weather and not riding as fast. Also only riding on roads I am familiar with. Obviously there is still a risk but isn't life a risk?
I have been doing my core strength exercises every other day. Tomorrow I will start to walk on the treadmill for a bit and begin to build up my strength again.
Phil
Monday, October 26, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Wish I was Riding
October 21, 2009
For an October day it was simply spectacular outside. Sunny, high in the 60s, no wind. A perfect day for a ride. The problem is I am not allowed to ride until at least next week. Really missed it today. Got up early and did crunches and push ups. Walked on the treadmill for a mile and THAT was my workout. Still waiting to get my Coumadin regulated and the clots dissolved. Tomorrow I am going to see a hematologist in NYC to see if there are any answers to why I got the blood clots.
The real problem that I have not addressed yet has to do with Rene. She does not want me to ride outside. She told me I can run all I want. The problem with that is my body can no longer take the pounding of running like it use to. Sure I can get into shape and probably run well but for how long before I get hurt. Will have to have a serious talk with her this weekend. Wish me luck.
Phil
For an October day it was simply spectacular outside. Sunny, high in the 60s, no wind. A perfect day for a ride. The problem is I am not allowed to ride until at least next week. Really missed it today. Got up early and did crunches and push ups. Walked on the treadmill for a mile and THAT was my workout. Still waiting to get my Coumadin regulated and the clots dissolved. Tomorrow I am going to see a hematologist in NYC to see if there are any answers to why I got the blood clots.
The real problem that I have not addressed yet has to do with Rene. She does not want me to ride outside. She told me I can run all I want. The problem with that is my body can no longer take the pounding of running like it use to. Sure I can get into shape and probably run well but for how long before I get hurt. Will have to have a serious talk with her this weekend. Wish me luck.
Phil
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Recuperating
October 17,18,19&20,2009
I am home and back to a normal routine. Left the hospital on Saturday. I have to give myself injections for a week until the Coumadin that I have started taking is regulated. Will have to be on that medicine for the rest of my life. This is where the challenge occurs. Coumadin is a blood thinner and if I am in an accident where I have internal bleeding, there can be real trouble in stopping the blood flow. Needless to say my family does not want me to bike any more. The doctors do not want me start exercising until next Monday. By then I will have to make a decision. Right now I want to continue to bike. Obviously within the next month I will be doing my biking inside. But I have to make a decision about the Tour challenge.
I am seeing a hematologist on Thursday and will see what her thoughts are and to see if she has any idea where the clots came from.
In the mean time, I started doing my core strength exercises and quad lifts to maintain my condition. Life is always throwing us a curve. All we can do is concentrate and try and go with it.
Phil
I am home and back to a normal routine. Left the hospital on Saturday. I have to give myself injections for a week until the Coumadin that I have started taking is regulated. Will have to be on that medicine for the rest of my life. This is where the challenge occurs. Coumadin is a blood thinner and if I am in an accident where I have internal bleeding, there can be real trouble in stopping the blood flow. Needless to say my family does not want me to bike any more. The doctors do not want me start exercising until next Monday. By then I will have to make a decision. Right now I want to continue to bike. Obviously within the next month I will be doing my biking inside. But I have to make a decision about the Tour challenge.
I am seeing a hematologist on Thursday and will see what her thoughts are and to see if she has any idea where the clots came from.
In the mean time, I started doing my core strength exercises and quad lifts to maintain my condition. Life is always throwing us a curve. All we can do is concentrate and try and go with it.
Phil
Friday, October 16, 2009
The Blood Clots Have Returned
October 15 & 16, 2009
Yesterday my worst fears were realized. Exactly two years ago after returning from a trip to Italy,I got several blood clots in my lungs that did damage to my lungs. I had a filter put into my main vein to stop future clots from doing damage. I also was on blood thinner for 9 months. Since then I have gotten into the best shape of my life. After my 100 miler on Saturday, I had an easy 30 on Sunday. On Monday I ran on the treadmill. That is when I noticed a problem. Running at a 10 minute pace and 0 incline my heart rate went up to 140 bpm. Way to high for that pace. I biked easy on Tuesday and had a good ride on Wednesday. Thought I was OK. I ran again yesterday and pushed it. I knew I was in trouble.
Called the doctor and had a cat scan. Found two blood clots in my lungs. With a filter it is hard to figure out where they came from. Reality is I will now be on blood thinner the rest of my life. The problem with that is if you fall and have internal bleeding it will be life threatening. Do I stop biking and cut back my exercise. I don't think so.
I have a week now where I will not work out as the blood clots dissolve. I will have to decide what to do during the week. I have really enjoyed the biking and the challenge. It will be hard to stop. Will figure it out over the next week.
Life must go on.
Phil
Yesterday my worst fears were realized. Exactly two years ago after returning from a trip to Italy,I got several blood clots in my lungs that did damage to my lungs. I had a filter put into my main vein to stop future clots from doing damage. I also was on blood thinner for 9 months. Since then I have gotten into the best shape of my life. After my 100 miler on Saturday, I had an easy 30 on Sunday. On Monday I ran on the treadmill. That is when I noticed a problem. Running at a 10 minute pace and 0 incline my heart rate went up to 140 bpm. Way to high for that pace. I biked easy on Tuesday and had a good ride on Wednesday. Thought I was OK. I ran again yesterday and pushed it. I knew I was in trouble.
Called the doctor and had a cat scan. Found two blood clots in my lungs. With a filter it is hard to figure out where they came from. Reality is I will now be on blood thinner the rest of my life. The problem with that is if you fall and have internal bleeding it will be life threatening. Do I stop biking and cut back my exercise. I don't think so.
I have a week now where I will not work out as the blood clots dissolve. I will have to decide what to do during the week. I have really enjoyed the biking and the challenge. It will be hard to stop. Will figure it out over the next week.
Life must go on.
Phil
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
The Cold Weather Has Arrived
October 14, 2009
Today was the first day I biked in weather below 50 this year. I guess it was about 45 degrees when I went out in the afternoon to bike. Luckily the wind was not blowing hard. I dressed properly. I had on tights, two layers of upper body clothes and a wind breaker. I was able to do without extra gloves and ear covers. If the weather is below 40, those are a must.
The ride today was a good one. Little traffic in the afternoon and without the wind, it was really relaxing. I am finding that doing 40 miles, about 2 1/2 hours, is a short easy ride. Two months ago I would have been thrilled to do 40 miles. Now it really is a short ride. How one's perspective changes as you change your goals and do the miles.
Phil
Today was the first day I biked in weather below 50 this year. I guess it was about 45 degrees when I went out in the afternoon to bike. Luckily the wind was not blowing hard. I dressed properly. I had on tights, two layers of upper body clothes and a wind breaker. I was able to do without extra gloves and ear covers. If the weather is below 40, those are a must.
The ride today was a good one. Little traffic in the afternoon and without the wind, it was really relaxing. I am finding that doing 40 miles, about 2 1/2 hours, is a short easy ride. Two months ago I would have been thrilled to do 40 miles. Now it really is a short ride. How one's perspective changes as you change your goals and do the miles.
Phil
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Easy Ride
October 13,2009
Had an easy ride today. Was actually going to go out for a longer ride but didn't sleep to well and was a little sluggish. Decided not to push it. Rode 25 miles. It was real easy. I am at the point now that if I do not go 40 miles it just seems like a "jog". Granted I have not been pushing my rides. Keep them at about 15 mph. When I go inside on the trainer, I will really start to do interval work and start to build up my anaerobic capacity. Each ride my confidence builds that I can indeed do the Tour mileage.
Phil
Had an easy ride today. Was actually going to go out for a longer ride but didn't sleep to well and was a little sluggish. Decided not to push it. Rode 25 miles. It was real easy. I am at the point now that if I do not go 40 miles it just seems like a "jog". Granted I have not been pushing my rides. Keep them at about 15 mph. When I go inside on the trainer, I will really start to do interval work and start to build up my anaerobic capacity. Each ride my confidence builds that I can indeed do the Tour mileage.
Phil
Monday, October 12, 2009
Good Recovery
October 11 & 12, 2009
After biking the 100 miles on Saturday I was curious as to how I would feel the rest of the day and the next day. Well, the rest of Saturday was OK. I had a good lunch of pasta and then watched some sports on TV. Would have liked to have made it an early evening but I had a wedding to go to and thus did not get to sleep till 2:00am. Surprisingly I was fine.
On Sunday morning I got up and went out for a ride. Rode 32 miles and felt good. Only had a little soreness in my quads. But that is to be expected. Again would have liked to rest the whole day, but had to go into NYC for a dinner engagement. Considering what I did the last 4 days of biking, I am really encouraged that I can do the mileage.
Today, I did my core exercises and some light running indoors. The cold weather has arrived and I will see how long I can stay outside riding. I do not like the cold but I will try and ride outside as long as I can.
Phil
After biking the 100 miles on Saturday I was curious as to how I would feel the rest of the day and the next day. Well, the rest of Saturday was OK. I had a good lunch of pasta and then watched some sports on TV. Would have liked to have made it an early evening but I had a wedding to go to and thus did not get to sleep till 2:00am. Surprisingly I was fine.
On Sunday morning I got up and went out for a ride. Rode 32 miles and felt good. Only had a little soreness in my quads. But that is to be expected. Again would have liked to rest the whole day, but had to go into NYC for a dinner engagement. Considering what I did the last 4 days of biking, I am really encouraged that I can do the mileage.
Today, I did my core exercises and some light running indoors. The cold weather has arrived and I will see how long I can stay outside riding. I do not like the cold but I will try and ride outside as long as I can.
Phil
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