Two gold medals (50 meter dash and 100 meters) at Ocean State Sr Games - video!

[Arrojo]

Edited 6/10/13 - I edited the title from the original silver medal and have added a video at the bottom.

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Hello my Surface Hippy friends,

Today, 13 months after my surgery with Dr. Su, I successfully competed ay my first track meet, finishing 2nd in the 50 meter dash in the 50-54 age group.  (Next year I will be 55 and will be youngest in that age group, woo-hoo!).  I had actually entered the 50, the 100, and the 200, but only ran the 50 because I strained my (non-operated side) hammy just before the finish line, so shut it down for the day. 

My recovery from surgery had gone famously well.  I eased into jogging after 6 months, and then over the winter, I did the P90X program while continuing to do some jogging.  I continually used Active Release Technique (A.R.T.) to break up all the scar tissue from the surgery and get my range of motion back.  Everything was great until about a month ago, after I'd had a couple of really good track workouts, I strained my back lifting weights.  Like many of us type A idiots, I just kept training through it and overdid it and really hurt myself.  So, I took 10 days off, got a lot of A.R.T and just as I was turning the corner over the back strain, I sneezed.  It was catastrophic.  I actually could barely walk and my wife took me to the Dr. on crutches.  This was two weeks ago!

Anyway,  my back actually cleared up quickly (more ART) but even so, but it was still 50/50 whether I'd be able to compete today.  I  had a quality track workout on Wednesday and got some work in with the starting blocks, so I figured what the heck, I'll give it a shot.

My time was a 7.51, which is an 85.8 WAVA if that means anything to you. (An 85.8 WAVA marathon for a 54 years old is a 2:49).   Ironically (coincidentally, ominously?), it was my left (non-operated side) hammy that I pulled at the National Indoors in '10.

My hip is great.  It's just the rest of my body that is falling apart.

I hope that this will shed a bright light on the benefits of hip resurfacing to those who are considering it or may be struggling with recovery.  People have run marathons, done triathlons, all kinds of athletic endeavors with a hip resurfacing.  To that we can add Masters sprinting. 

Hip resurfacing is awesome  and how it can help athletes with hip arthritis return to do the things that they love. A lot of doctors don't like it and will tell you that your only option is a total hip replacement and that you will never be able to run again.  I call BS.  Do your own research.  If you love to run and you have hip arthritis, a hip resurfacing is a viable option; you do not need to get a total hip replacement.  Just make sure you get an experienced surgeon.  I had to travel to NYC.  There are a few doctors in Boston who will perform this surgery but I was not comfortable with them, especially after other orthopedists in their hospitals warned me against hip resurfacing and told me I would never run again.

I had actually hoped to get a video of the race, but the person entrusted with filming it screwed it up.  Guess that means I will have to sprint again.   

[trgcfrg]

Arrojo,

Congratulations - awesome accomplishment! I'm only 6.5 weeks out from my first BHR (heading in Monday for #2), but results like yours really help keep me motivated through my recovery. I'm really looking forward to trying to run again next year, one of the main reasons I went with HR.

[hernanu]

I remember when you first got here, you wondered whether getting back to serious sprinting was a pipedream and whether you could regain your speed.

I guess you just answered your questions from then. Congratulations, it's a great accomplishment, not just the medal but the whole journey.

[packman]

Awesome and inspirational post - curious at what month point after your op did you use the A.R.T.'s - I have read several articles on that and have heard differing interpretations including to wait until month 6 before engaging in that
I understand this gets to parts that a foam roller cannot touch
I just turned 55 but am no challenge to your podium....lol

[Arrojo]

packman, I had my first A.R.T session at 6 weeks post op.  You don't want to wait too long because that scar tissue can build up.  After the first visit, I went only once a month until I hurt my back a month ago. 

Although there is no video (as far as I know, although perhaps someone did film it, there was a good crowd), a Mass Velocity teammate of mine got this nice shot of the start of the race (I am no.4 in red):

[stephen1254]

Very pleased to see and hear this. I know what you mean about the rest of your body - I think my new hip is the best body part I've got.

[evant]

Cool uplifting post Arrojo - great happy photos too - well done.

[David]

Congrats Arrojo! Great feat.  Got to feel good with that accomplishment...
DG

[Canadian-Ice]

Hey Arojjo,

This is an awsome post and totally inspiritational. Too bad that video wasn't done right but there'll be other opportunities.

Nothing better than a comeback.

[MikeF]

Typically, where is the greatest build up of scar tissue after this surgery?

[hernanu]

Typically, where is the greatest build up of scar tissue after this surgery?

Hey Mike, to quote Dr. Su from his site,

"After surgery, you will experience the formation of scar tissue. This scar tissue will form not only at the incision site, but also deep within the joint. It is common at this point to still have a feeling of stiffness, particularly if you have stayed in one position for too long. I recommend changing position every 1-2 hours to avoid this feeling."

His suggested stretching exercises to deal with this are described here:

http://www.hipresurfacingnewyork.com/postop-stretching-exercises.html

[MikeF]

Thanks for the stretching info....my appointment to see my specialist is today......hoping for a surgery date within the next two months.

[Pat Walter]

Congratulations.  Great to hear how well you are doing.  Thank You for sharing your story. I look forward to reading more of your accomplishments.

Good Luck.

Pat

[Arrojo]

Thank you, Pat.  I normally would just post running stuff in the running forum.  But I felt this was a significant enough achievement for the hip resurfacing community (as far I know, nobody has sprinted at this level with a resurfaced hip) that I felt it appropriate for the general population.  Not sure how many people looking for hip resurfacing info would check in over in the running forum.

[Arrojo]

Yesterday, I won the gold medal 50 meter dash and 100 meter dash at the Ocean State Sr Olympics in the mens 50-54 age group.  I also took a silver medal in the 200 meter dash. 

I was able to get someone to get a video.  It is not very good, but it is something.  I think there is something about trying to rely on old guys to take a good video of a sprint that is self-defeating.  Anyway, I ran a 13.90 and am the guy in red on the right.  The super fast guy who actually won this heat was 45 years old, so was not racing against the rest of us so to speak.

I will keep trying to get a better video.

Click here: Video - Sprinting after hip resurfacing

[Lauren Lee]

Wow!!!!! Thank you. I have never done a sprint in my life but your post gives great encouragement that I will be able to polish my toenails again. Who knows. Maybe I'll sprint! I have been dealing with this issue for 30 years....since an undiagnosed labral tear. 6 days and counting til surgery!

[hernanu]

Congrats Arrojo and keep it up. It's great to hear! Nice time too.

[Arrojo]

Wow!!!!! Thank you. I have never done a sprint in my life but your post gives great encouragement that I will be able to polish my toenails again. Who knows. Maybe I'll sprint! I have been dealing with this issue for 30 years....since an undiagnosed labral tear. 6 days and counting til surgery!

Laura, I had a labral tear as well and an impingement.  Good luck to you!  Be dligilent with your stretching and PT and you will do great.  And there are a lot of great people here to help with your recovery.

Congrats Arrojo and keep it up. It's great to hear! Nice time too.

Thanks, that 13.9 is under the national qualifying standards (14.0, barely) for my age group as well.

[hernanu]

Hey, it still qualifies, right?

I was on the track team in high school, threw the shotput and discus though (you know, linebacker). So I was around sprinters enough to know "wicked fast", and that qualifies   

Where and when are the nationals?

(PS - the track coach lied to me. He said throwing the shot was a good way to meet girls).

[bestbob]

It's wonderful to hear such positive and encouraging stories. Lauren, your surgery is one day before mine, and I am looking forward to hearing how it went.