Hoping to get back to racing Ironmans!

[jjmclain]

Hi,

I am a 48 year old female triathlete having BHR with Dr. Andy Engh on November 11th. I have done extensive research and love this website for all the information everyone has provided. I am very excited to get my surgery and get my life back! Any information or tips on recovery etc. would be appreciated! I am very active racing mostly Ironmans and Half Ironmans (although I did not race this past season because the pain in my leg and hip has made running almost impossible, especially past a few miles). I am also a fitness instructor and personal trainer. As an athlete, I don't want to overdo it, so I would love to hear stories from other triathletes out there!

Thank you!
June

[Tommy]

June
       Hi not a tri guy but I run a lot of marathons and bike some. If you look in Hip Stories you will find some triathletes there. Michel Montgomery story was helpful to me because he posted his workout. If you Google Cory Foulk he is a Ironman and post articles on running he was a lot of help with my training.The best thing I can tell you is go to surgery in the best shape you can be in and let you hip dictate your training after.
                                                     Tommy

[jjmclain]

Thanks Tommy! I appreciate the advice. I've been told the first few days after surgery are rough and then they get better. Surgery date is 3 weeks from tomorrow! I am actually excited! Ready to get on with my life.

[sgoulet]

Hi June,

By now it appears that you have had your surgery...hoipe all went well for you.

I am a competitive cyclist and triathlete (but more of a cyclist  :D).  Glad you are a candidate for hip resurfacing.  I know that there are more issues with females given their bone structure, etc.

I have never done a full ironman, but have done some halfs and many sprints.  I still compete in triathalons, but mostly sprint distance.  I may try an Olympic distance soon.  My triathlon strategy is to train for the swim and the bike and train very minimally for the run.  Main reason is I don;t really like to run, and am a bit concerned about the long term impact of excessive running on my joints (both implant and natural).

I bought a "spin" bike and this was very helpful to me in getting my cardio fitness back as quickly as possible after surgery.

Feel free to contact me if you want any information or feedback.

Steve

[jjmclain]

Hi Steve,

Yes, I had my surgery on November 11th with Dr. Andy Engh. It was successful. I was concerned because I am a small woman, but apparently my bones were strong and he was able to take care of a cyst I had. Each day gets better. My operated side is very swollen, but improving. It feels like I have a pumpkin attached to my backside!

I look forward to recovering and getting back into racing. I will definitely take my time and make sure things progress as expected. Any recovery advice is appreciated.

June

[hipnhop]

June, sounds like u live in the dc/va/md area. I am a triathlete too.  Have u done any tri since your op. I hear about guys doing IMs five months post op. Just don't see how that is possible or wise.  I plan on doing aqua-velos this year. Want to do eagleman in june but don't know if I wil be ready. If u want to join me we could. Be team Hippy.

[jjmclain]

HipnHop,

I live in Woodbridge, Virginia...where are you? I am around 4 1/2 months post-op, so no triathlons yet!! Saw my surgeon for my 4 month follow up last week. He said I could start gradually running and cycling outside again. I really thought he was going to say 6-12 months! He said to start very slowly, as in no more than 10 miles a week of running until I hit 6-9 months. He said to consider this year as a rehab year. That is fine...it will take awhile to work back up to it by walking and running. I started by walking to warm up, then walked a minute, ran a minute, etc. NO PAIN and was very happy just to move!!!! I haven't cycled outside yet because I need to get my donkey into the shop for a tune-up. I hadn't expected to be able to ride for awhile. I know I will be nervous about falling once I do get back out there!!! I am really in no rush because I don't plan on racing this year. I want to be 100% and take things slowly...although I might consider the aquavelo, if not at Eagleman, then later in the season after getting back out on my bike. We should definitely meet up at a race!!! Team Hippys!!!!

[hipnhop]

I am in Gaithersburg, MD. I hear you. I am scared to get on Tri Bike, forget about clipping in.  I think I will wait. Eagleman AV is too close - June. I will only be 10 weeks post op. I might go for Chesapeake man AV 2.4 swim and 112 bike in Sept. I read some other Triathlete stories and they did IM 5 months Post Op. When did they start training - 1 week post op? I just don't know how it can be safely done.

[jjmclain]

I have read those stories as well, and even though I too am hard core, no way am I going to rush things. I have read that it takes 6-12 months to heal. My surgeon said the other day that it is basically healed at 4 months. Yes, some people have had fractures up to 6 months, but he said they have found that it is in relation to the angle of the implant and it causing stress on the femur neck. Mine is ideal I guess and he showed it to me on the x-ray. I am in no hurry because I don't want to mess this up! I feel better than I have in years...I don't even think about anymore, except for the fact that I don't have that pain!!

I have read of some people starting to run at 6 weeks. I was restricted to 90 degrees until 4 weeks and didn't get off the last crutch until then, so no way would I have even thought about it. Plus you will find that it takes awhile to build the strength in that leg. I still think my left (operated side) is not quite as strong as my right...it is getting there, but not quite yet. I have back my range of motion which I did not have external or internal for a few years! No use doing anything until ROM and strength are back because then it will just cause stress on the hip.

[phillwad]

As you get back on the bike - let me know how you do with clip ins - I am about 2 weeks away from getting on the bike and wondering if I should switch over the flats for a while?

Cheers - Phill

[jjmclain]

Hi Phil. First post-op ride today! Clip-ins no problem at all! ROM so much greater than before and I had no problems getting on and off my bike for the first time in a long time!!! You are much earlier post-op than me...I am at 5 months. I had to wait for my surgeon's okay and my own fear of falling and doing damage to this new hip! I am definitely out of shape but it was so nice to get out, even if for a short ride!

[phillwad]

Great to hear.

I have a doctors appointment start of may and I will ask him to see if I can get teh OK.  I am hoping by then to be able to get on my regular bike on the trainer and practice cliping in/out - Phill