I've got more chemicals flowing through me than the Festina team in '98. I've gone through 2 rounds or oral steroids and 2 epidural roid injections in the spine. The bad news is I am seriously side effected: irritable as hell, insomniac-AL, hot flashing all the time, anxious and jumpy. The good news is my back is doing much better. My symptoms now are intermittent light ache that travels down the leg, some weakness on the left side, and periodic numbness and tingling. This is a MAJOR IMPROVEMENT. 3 weeks ago I was essentially crippled on the left side and in agony. I've even started to get out and about a bit. I walked for a 1/2 hour yesterday. I swam a bit the other day (floundering mostly). And......
TODAY I HAD MY FIRST ROAD RIDE SINCE THE INJURY!!!! And I am psyched.
Like a kid on Christmas morning, I unpacked my new Sampson Road Racing Bike this morning.
Now I must thank Freddy for his help with customizing the build kit for me and with the wheel build specs. He advised me well, and I absolutely love the build:
The bike is a Ti frame with a Campy Centaur group (except Chorus brake/shifters). The wheels: Mavic Open Pros, Centaur hubs, 14-15 DB spokes.
It took me about an hour to put it together. I had a wee bit of trouble with a USE Alien seatpost. These big clumsy fingers weren't working well with the rail clamps. Anyway, got 'er done:
I got out for a nice easy 10 mile ride. WHAT A DREAM!!! I've just never ridden anything like it. Responsive, smooth, absolutely plush, but still rigid and really light. Just unreal road feel and control and response. I'm ecstatic. And, even more importantly, my body responded well. I had only some back fatigue afterward but no pain or numbness or return of symptoms.(I left the steerer long and stacked the stem up a bit. I am going to take it as easy as I can on the back for a while. I can always cut and remove the spacers.) I'm very psyched. a home run...er...yellow shirt...all the way around.
The game plan from here: in two weeks I will get another shot in the spine. If the symptoms continue to diminish or remain as they are, no surgery. If they return/get worse, we'll re-evaluate. The good thing is I can start back to modified activity and muscle rehab.
Hey...anyone ever do any pool running? Not deep water running. I'm talking about the shallow water stuff. Any info appreciated.
--AL
11 comments:
Nice, well-managed bike, Al. Looks like a polished dime. Hang onto it for awhile, k?
Regarding pool running, my grandmother did that before she passed. Said it added years to her life. Try googling "elderly" and "active lifestyles" and you should get some good info.
What's that fork Albert?
Why, Fred-O, that fork is Kinesis Carbon wedge, with a full polished alloy crown, alloy steerer, and alloy tips for great looks and long lasting durability.
And thanks for the tips on water running. Here's something just for you.
Nastro bianco della barra. Molto pro! Dovete mantenere quello pulito, il mio piccolo amico.
Mario:
Sì. La pulizia è vicino a godliness. Faccio la stessa cosa con le mie sfere.
On a more serious note, who picked out that carpet?
It's good....I come home drunk and vomit on it...nobody knows.
Bernard:
I ain't your mate. Where exactly is Canadi? And who are these "Canadin" pharmacists? And thanks for the link. I notice the have a great bargain on "the erection pack." Incredibly fitting that they have dicks like you peddling this.
Fuck off.
Yours truly,'
AL
i'be be working on bikes on a carpet that ugly too.... no worries about grease stains...
What, you boys are all busy planting in the garden and no time to post?
How 'bout those Mets?
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