First an update on my concussion. It was 2 weeks ago today that I took that fateful bike ride and scrambled my brains. I have learned a lot about concussions in the last 2 weeks.
- Some concussions you can get over in a couple of days, and some can take months.
- No matter how tough you are and no matter what you are training for, you can not plow your way through a concussion. YOU HAVE TO REST! (this is a very hard one for me)
- I found some great on line sites for concussion information with some great guidelines on how to recover and help yourself heal. (Not that I listen to them all.) One of the things it says to do is to stay away from the computer. Umm...ya..about that. But when I feel my head getting worse, I do close my laptop for a while and rest my eyes/brain. Also, when it comes to getting back into the exercise saddle, you need to be at least 24 hour symptom free, but if symptoms come back you stop immediately and wait for another 24 hour symptom free time frame before you can begin again. (This has yet to happen for me and I'm on my 15th day of scrambled brains).
- One should NOT make major decisions during a concussion (banking, business, flight schedules). Ya, I just hope my flights I scheduled last Monday on day 7 of my concussion work out okay.
- Most importantly, I have AMAZING FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!!!! They have been very supportive, including my friend Kurt (who is also doing the Spring Ride) threatening to deflate my tires if he sees on my bike. A little tough love is good for the soul, right?
So back to my training. How do I train for a 400 mile bike ride if I can't ride my bike? Well there are other factors to consider. I am a woman, and I do have a 2 week trip planned. Not only am I doing the bike ride, but I am also piggy backing a trip to Florida to see my kids after the bike ride. Packing must be done to perfection. What does that mean? I have a size limit for the bag I can pack for the bike ride. I have a 4500 cubic inch maximum! YIPES! So, until further notice, my training will consist of getting my packing down perfectly! There is the other consideration: shipping the clothes I need for Florida to Florida instead of putting them in my bag for the Bike Ride. *laugh* We shall see. For now, here is a picture of this most important training process:
This is my bag fully packed for 2 weeks of travel (bike and Florida) with my helmet, biking shoes, and hydration pack. It was entirely too big. 6,384 cubic inches
This is my bag minus that gear (since I will be wearing it while I ride and shouldn't be considered in size when shoving it into a van. Still too big at 6,048 cubic inches.
Seriously, I don't have THAT much in here. I have flip flops, running shoes, 4 pairs of biking shorts, 4 biking jerseys, shorts and tank (to double as pjs on the ride), 1 pair of jeans, 1 pair of light hiking capris (wondering if I can take out the jeans and wear the capris to the "church" they told us to pack the jeans for), 3 light weight traveling skirts (again, can I get ride of the jeans..I'm not gonna wear them in Florida), swim suit (for Florida), probably too many sports bras/panties, probably too may pairs of socks (but they are small), tank/camisoles (they are small don't take up much room) some light weight exercise shorts, shirt, jacket (which will probably end up going away) to run in while in Florida and light weight shrugs for Florida. *sigh* This part of my training may take me a month to perfect! I know there are ways to pack smaller. I can do this!
While writing this blog, I got a phone call from the social worker at the Elks Brain Injury Clinic. Due to my symptoms: headaches, nausea, fogginess, and cognitive abilities, he says I am a candidate for the program. That's good news. The bad news which has me in tears right now is that he says that I will likely be unable to ride the 400 miles in Spring. My heart is breaking. I told him I have raised over $1000 for this ride and I am not NOT going. He told me to look up something (which I can't remember now) about getting back to play after a concussion. I told him about what I read about 24hr symptom free before getting back to it. He said, "Yes, and then you have work up to where you were. Riding 400 miles in a months time frame is not 'working up to it'." I am still going. I may not be able to ride the entire 400 miles on my bike, but I am still going. Even if I can only ride a little each day. Even if I can't ride at all, I am still going. My heart is breaking right now. But I'm still going.
I told the social worker that I am hoping for a miracle. So, for all of my praying friends, please pray for a miracle! I want more than anything to ride this 400 miles! Please keep me in your thoughts and send all the positive healing vibes you can this direction. Thank you!
And if you haven't yet donated to help the Fuller Center for Housing end Poverty Housing, please click on the link below and donate to my ride. I'm going. The tickets have been purchased. There is no turning back. I am going! Thank you! This ride is about so much more than me; its about helping those in need. It's about helping them to live in a safe and warm home, and they need all the help you can possibly give. Thank you for supporting them!
No comments:
Post a Comment