3 years after fusion I completed a sprint triathlon!

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Susiebird

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Hi, I haven't been on these boarRAB for a while but had to share my accomplishment with everyone. As background for the newbies, in May of 2005 while training for a triathlon at the ripe old age of 47, I started having hip pain while running (always had back pain with pretty much everything I did, so I was used to dealing).

I had a fusion at L5-S1, extensive laminectomy, roRAB, screws, disc replaced with cages in Noveraber of 05. It went as well as back surgeries go with my share of ups and downs. In July of 06 I was cleared to begin getting back into shape; in August 06, I did a slam-dunk onto the pavement from my bike (went over the handlebars when startled by a rebel dog/mutt/*&^$ when I hit the brakes) and broke/dislocated my shoulder which has left a bone spur for my rotator cuff to catch on each time I raise my arm. I chose to live with it for now anyway, and began seriously training for the triathlon 3 months ago.

I've walked probably 5,000 miles since my back surgery (my doc doesn't believe in PT, just the "walk walk walk" strategy, which I have to say has been my saving grace even now - the only pain pills I take are an occasional acetaminophen and elavil for the foot pain I get when I sit too much) so gradually built up to a run/walk more like a slowjog than anything else. Finally got the guts to get back on the bike and face down the dog who has caused me so much pain (he actually had the nerve to grab my leg the last time I went by :mad: ). I work from home, so can flex my schedule around the training and those all too common "bad days" we all go through.

Anyway, I placed 3rd in my age group (50-59) actually there were only 3 of us, but my time doesn't even matter anyway - the real accomplishment was finishing a 4.5 mile run (46 minutes); 4.3 mile paddle (70 minutes of pure agony); and a 15.3 mile bike run (75 minutes). Next year, I'm going to get serious!

:bouncing::bouncing::bouncing::bouncing:
 
GOOD FOR YOU....CONGRATULATIONS...

You are an inspiration...I had my surgery (L3-L4 fusion w/ roRAB/screws) this past Feb...I'm walking a ton but still walking on eggshells a bit....I did start getting back to the gym 2 weeks ago and doing the stationery bike as much as possible...My endurance is also begining to return..Thanks for your great story....It's encouraging..

Congrats again..

LAF;):angel:;)
 
You are TOO FUNNY! Thanks for the chuckle, and thanks for such an inspiring post! We need the success storied to pop in every now and then to encourage those who are just heading into surgery!

I'm so proud of you! Keep it up! I want to see your picture on the front of Sports Illustrated!

:) Emily
 
Susie,
Congratulations!! You certainly are an inspiration to all. My daughter had her fusion in June of '05 and is also doing very well but is not competing in a triathlon. What an accomplishment and doing it fairly pain free! Good luck training for next year. cas
 
Congrats on your tri finish! Being a triathlete myself, I can totally relate to the sense of accomplishment you must have felt, crossing that finish line. I completed 2 triathlons this past summer - my first sprint distance, and my first olympic distance. I enjoyed it so much, that I signed myself up for a Half Ironman distance next July...YIKES! SounRAB a bit daunting at the moment, considering that I've never run more than 6.2 miles. I hope my back (grade 2 Spondylolisthesis) can handle the half marathon that I will be facing for this race.

I do have one question to ask about your race - did you really swim 4.3 miles in 70 minutes?!?! Forgive me if I sound a bit skeptical, but even a full Ironman Distance swim is only 2.4 miles...and most "pro's" finish that distance in a little over an hour. I can only assume that 4.3 was a "typo"? If not, then dang...you're one heckuva fast swimmer. It would probably take me well over 2 hours to swim that kind distance.

Linda
 
Thanks all; it's been a lot of work to get myself back to being this healthy - for months I did nothing but core exercises alternating 2 DVD workouts. and of course the walking 5 miles mostly every day. I'm lucky to work from home, so it's easier to keep myself destressed (huge issues with my mid back going into spasms that last until I get myself calmed down) and I can move about at will, take a break when I need to, etc.

LAF, keep up the walking - at least for me, the more I walk, the better I feel - miss a few days and it's agony until I get a few walks in again.

Cas, glad to hear you daughter is doing well -hope she can now be a somewhat normal teenager.

Linda, goodness no I didn't swim 4.3 miles, it's a paddle as in a kayak ;) ; my swimming leaves a lot to be desired so much so that I wouldn't be able to compete. Did you have surgery for your spondy? Mine was a grade 2 also. Good luck with your H/I; it gets in your blood, huh? For so many years I chickened out doing it, but now I can't imagine NOT competing.

Take care all!
 
Hi Susie!

You helped me so much thru my surgery in the summer of 2006! I was in Texas then and that was part of my sign on name at the time! I wondered where you were along with MamaKitKat!
I am so proud of you!
Awesome insipration!
I will hang a picture of that Sports Illustrated next to my cover of " Gimps Illustrated" of which I was "poster child" last year LOL-just kidding!

Blessings
Michelle :angel:
 
Susie,

I had fusion at L5/S1 on Sept 2 so am 9 weeks out. Just starting PT and walking 30 minutes a day. I've never been an athlete, but just an average working woman married with 3 kiRAB ages 15-25 and 2 grandkiRAB. I just want to be able to travel and work for a whole day ( I am a trainer for a real estate company ) I intend to be able to learn to scuba dive and fly to Australia within 2 years. Thanks so much for your post! You give all of us "fusion-ites" hope!!!!!
 
2young... keep up the walking, it's definitely been what's got me going and keeps me going. SounRAB like you don't intend to let a little old fusion slow you down! It's great we can all encourage each other (hearing that I've helped someone else makes me feel great too!):D

I've learned so much about my limitations over the last 3 years and have taken baby steps to avoid further injury. My orthopedic surgeon told me he doubted I'd be able to run - however I've learned to compensate on the way I used to do things! With the running, I tend to come down totally on the ball of my foot and the toes (heel strike causes back pain; my hamstrings are eternally tight and unforgiving). My sneakers are also super light (10 oz. each) When I started training on my bicycle this summer, I was hard to even swing my leg over the frame. Since I walk so much, I have calves of steel, which I use to peddle up the hills, rather than all core, which enRAB up killing my back. I've yet to master the paddle, but I've ordered a new 10 minute trainer DVD (I hate hate hate lifting weights so hopefully 10 minutes at a clip will make me dedicated). ;).

I'm cautiously optimistic that I can now maintain a good level of activity; I felt terrific when I was training, and I have my share of twinges now that I've backed off. A town near here has a duathlon in the spring (bike, run, more bike) so that's going to be my motivation for the winter (PA winters don't allow us to plan ahead that far in advance when we're going out to ride a bike); hope your plans to scuba dive can do the same for you - we all need goals whether it's job, school, or in our case, health related.

Take care everyone!
 
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