2 YEAR CHECK UP AND ANALYSIS.

[shoraztri]

Hi To All Good Mates and Friends,

Recently I had my 2 YEAR POST OP. check-up with my Surgeon, Dr. Hugh Blackley, Auckland, New Zealand. Although 3 weeks ahead of the actual "Anniversary date" [ Op was 7/7/14] it was practical to do it then due to family and travel arrangements. I was very confident of getting the big tick of approval, as I had a slow, steady re-hab,+ took 1 year off from my Triathlon racing. [2014/2015 season]. This proved PERFECT, and upon reviewing these 2 years Post-Op. X Rays and Cobalt, Chromium levels , Dr Blackley was very pleased with the results.   
 
My range of motion is excellent on the LHBR leg, so after discussing everything with Dr Blackley and talking in general about competing back at top level, he was more than happy to see me returning to top level competition. Naturally nothing is 100% guaranteed , but I have a number of years left in me, so long as one races wisely !!! and trains accordingly. The morale of the story is basic, if it hurts      BACK OFF, REST AND RECOVER, and then start up again. Dr Blackley made this point very clear indeed. As it is winter "down under", I will enjoy a few more weeks of easy as training, before getting down to the serious side of the real stuff.

The 2015/2016 NZ Triathlon season turned out to be a satisfying and rewarding accomplishment, so I look forward to cranking it along, come 2016/2017 season. I have been lucky enough to have a fantastic wife behind me in my quest to race at National level, along with a dedicated Soft Tissue Therapist, Roger Gooch, who spent many a session "panel-beating" [LOL] my hip so as to address the scar tissue concerns. A number of "hippies" neglect this work and costs, but I'm positive that in missing it, it is well to the detriment of a strong and successful recovery.
From a Swim-Bike-Run perspective, at Olympic and Sprint Distances, I have found that my Swim is still as good , the Bike is very similar and in the Run, I have dropped a little in times. This was always to be expected, regards the Run, but at least I'm out there "doing it".  

To all fellow "hippies" out there, THANKS for the support, news and encouragements- they sure make a BIG Difference.  
Top Regards,
Cheers   ,     
Shorty, Kiwi Boy Down Under.    

[MattJersey]

Great to hear there ShorazTri, long may it continue.

[shoraztri]

Hi MattJersey,
Thanks for the reply. Always helps in so many ways.
Cheers,
Kiwi Boy.

[timosborne]

Hi-
I am exactly two years out from my right BHR and 2.5 years out from the left BHR.  I have been biking pretty consistently and doing an elliptical trainer as substitute for most of my running.  But, I have incorporated a soft "brick" every saturday morning of 24-25 mile bike ride followed by a "coffee hour" and then a 4-5 mile run.  I have done this faithfully for almost a year and have tried to increase running speed a few times.  Started out at 10-11 miles per min with a very slow 1/2 mile or so warm up and have come down to consistently 8 min per mile with the 1/2 mile warm up because of some minor left hip pain.  I have noticed some aching hip pain after running but not too consistent and it goes away before my bike ride on Sunday morning.  This past Saturday, I had more noticeable right hip pain that did not start until 2-3 hours after the run.
I am a little dejected because my recovery seems to have hit a point where I need to back off for awhile. 
I need to know if this is indicative that I will probably never be able to compete/participate in olympic or possibly 1/2 iron man events??
thanks for any comments or suggestions

[shoraztri]

Hi timosborne,
Good to read your post, so I will throw in my "2 bobs worth".


You have done a really good recovery and are taking the run easy and building into the speed. This is very sensible approach, and one I would have thought worked well. It appears not so, and we all heal differently and repair/re-build differently as well.
Its the expectation of most of us that everything will somehow return to "normal" but sometimes this is not the case. For me, I have found that I have returned back to Triathlon pretty well ok, with the Run section dropping off in times a bit. My Surgeon did advise me against doing Ironman and Half Ironman, as this would more than likely shorten the life of my BHR.
He stresses most emphatically that if I get pain, to back-off, rest up and recover. I know that pain does occur for me at about 1 hour of running, say around the 11km distance, so hence I will not venture into the Ironman etc distances. I am  lucky enough to be able to do Olympic and Sprint events though, and only have small amounts of "discomfort".
In summing up, pain does return to us at different points and intensities , so its a matter of figuring out where you are on this scale. Maybe the time of approx. 05:00pkm is to quick ??, so try backing off  to about 05:30pkm and see how the pain threshold is ??. For example, you should be able to compete at the smaller distances, so adjust your Run speed accordingly, don"t over push it here, and see what happens.
Perhaps the above is of some help, and I'm sure there should be a few more Tri's in the tank for ya, albeit at a slower pace.
Cheers,
Kiwi Boy. 

[blinky]

First, I found your story to be very encouraging. I am hoping to get back to triathlons, too.


Second, about being stuck, did you see a PT? Is it possible there are some subtle muscle weaknesses or imbalances holding you back?  If your glutes or rotators are still weak, that could be causing issues. Or could it just be a matter of giving it more time? From where I sit at almost eight months out, it seems amazing that you can do a soft Olympic distance brick already.


Looks like you did see a soft tissue specialist. On your advice, I am doing that, too.

[shoraztri]

Hi Blinky,
The Soft Tissue Therapist is a MUST!!! . I am still having this treatment on approx a 14 day cycle, as well as a general massage at the same time. It is so INVALUABLE - trust me, as I'm sure that alot of my success is due to this on going treatment.
Take it easy, even on the "soft brick" sessions. There is no hurry at all to do them, I basically waited the 12 months before getting back into Tri. Best move ever was this.  .
I'm sure you will be back doing Tri- just give it TIME, don't rush.


Cheers,
Kiwi Boy.

[timosborne]

Hi Blinky and Shoraztri-
thank you both for taking the time to read and provide thoughtful responses to my post.
One thing I did not mention that is important is that immediately after the initial incision into my hip, the surgeon found an arterial venus malformation that caused a lot of blood loss and I was lucky the surgeon was also trained in vascular surgery.  They almost aborted the surgery because they had trouble suturing up and stopping the bleeding.  Unfortunately, the surgery complications led to some damage of the inferior gluteal nerve so my gluteus maximus muscle on the surgery side atrophied over the first six months following surgery.  I had a real dimple butt for awhile but after seeing a neurologist she encouraged me to continue pretty intensive glut focused exercises to prevent further atrophy and to encourage nerve and muscle regrowth in the area. This has worked pretty well, I no longer look lopsided in bike shorts but there is still definitely some muscle imbalance and my running stride on the affected side tends to roll in and I really have to concentrate to keep the foot from rolling inwards.  I am sure this imbalance is at least contributing partially to my recent painful hip.
The advice to back off and run slower for awhile (or forever) is good as is the massage idea, I should have been doing this all along!  I will get going on these two action items and see how things go!
thanks again

[shoraztri]

Hi timosborne,


Cheers mate , you are now "onto it". Time is your BEST friend.
All the Best.

[shoraztri]

To 1 and All,
 Today, 7 July 2016 , is my 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY. Everything is in pretty good nick    so am super pleased. Celebrated with a long Indoor Bike Ride , followed by an 8km Run. No problems or worries/concerns, so perhaps a will "pour a few quiet ones" down the throat ,         .
Totally amazed at how everything has panned out, so looking forward to N.Z.   2017 Tri Season to see how I shape up.

Cheers,
Kiwi Boy Down Under.

[karlos.bell]

  Sounds good stuff shoraztri.
I have some good stuff to look forward to.... may be. Yes some people have a good recovery depending on what their issues were to start with. I am a believer the body will heal well if giving the right nutrition and exercise. Yours seems great, and hit the sweet spot.
Sometimes also there is just the fact you were born with a disadvantage in your hips.
Interesting different opinions Blackley said he would never operate on me ever, Nor would he ever do a Bilateral.
Interesting the issue was my hips.
Running on the flat seems good I cannot say that is that easy when over logs and obstacles yet. Jumping the fence is a lot better now than what it used to be.
As been so long on crutches and with muscle compensation Mat Brick hopefully is going to tidy up on the muscle thing. The soft tissue massage been there done that it does not touch the sides of compensation issues over a long period of time.
I would have a a guess don't over do it. To run again is just bliss in itself after crutches for 7 years.
Keep us updated on your successes.
Cheers K

[shoraztri]

Hi Karlos.bell


Thanks for your update and observations. Yes, we heal differently and have different issues. Amazed that you were on crutches for 7 years!!, but good to see you can Run a bit.
Cheers.

[Woodstock Hippy]

Congratulations Shoraz, on your anniversary and good luck with the coming tri season.  I just finished my season and these steel hips are kicking @ss!


In 6 sprint and olympic races this year I was first in age group 6 times in 65/69 and finished as high as 26th overall.  It's been a great year.  Good luck to you with your races

[shoraztri]

Hi Woodstock Hippy,
Thanks heaps for your congrats message and words of encouragement.
Wow, ya sure as kickin some prime Arses!!!! . Thats brilliant what you have achieved and sure has fired a shot across my bows for me to have a good season.
Started training for our N.Z. Tri season today, and a wee shock, as have had a "bit of a layoff/come rest-up". All good though and will slowly get into my work.
With your results, are you at Cozumel World Tri Champs, ? cause you certainly are doing well.
All the best mate in your off season- if ya have one !!!   , and that FELT bike and you look "top of the class".
Cheers,
Kiwi Boyo from Down Under.

[Woodstock Hippy]

Shoraz, good luck with the coming season.  I will be finishing up with Big Sur Trail Half-Marathon in California this month.  This will be my only visit to long distance running for this phaze of my carrier.  My body doesn't like the ramp up in running mileage.  I'm much happier keeping the running under an hour.  Then I have a du at the end of October and start it all again in Florida in January.  The new Felt is a rocket and it needs to be raced!

[shoraztri]

Hi Mate,
Nice good reply, and like me , the body doesn't agree with running more than 1 hour!!. On my bucket list is a Half Ironman , sometime, and its only the Run that is the problem.
All the best for the upcoming race and ya re-start in January. Being bi lateral, what you are achieving is incredible!!!. Roll with ya Felt, she's a beauty.
Cheers.

[karlos.bell]

  Hi Shortaztri. Kinlock off trail half M 2.5 hours, Taupo Half M 2.10 so getting better after 8 years on crutches. Wee bit of  a change and know one would no!!! Just like to keep fit and are improving every day. Exercise - nutrition and rest. Probably may buy my first trail running shoes tomorrow with a smile........ ... On wards and upwards from here hopefully..
Cheers K

[shoraztri]

Hi Karlos,


Nice work on those Runs. Its pretty tough running those 2 and are familiar with the areas. Keep on truckin bro., onwards and upwards, steady as.