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Author Topic: 2 Year HR Anniversary with Mr. Treacy 2015  (Read 1710 times)

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Tri Hard Alan

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2 Year HR Anniversary with Mr. Treacy 2015
« on: October 26, 2017, 06:33:17 AM »
Tomorrow  will be the 2 year anniversary of my right side BHR with Dr Treacy. And it remains one of the best decisions I ever made and could not be happier.
For me, as a keen triathlete, it’s been all about getting back to the being competitive and racing at the same standard I did before the hip became a problem.  I had at times forgotten the more important target of running pain free. Last year I returned to racing but found in the last K or two of a race I would get tired, lose running form and the hip would get sore. As I could walk this of in 50m or so it wasn’t a concern and instead I focused on my 2 targets for this year:
  • Running a 5k in under 20 minutes
  • Qualify for and take part in the World Triathlon Championship in the 50-54 Age Group at Standard Distance (1.5k swim-40k bike-10k run)
The first half of the year was hampered with a calf injury which I meant no progress at all on either speed or being pain free for the entirety of a race. But then 2 things happened which changed everything:
  • I saw a specialist about the calf injury and he advised changing from my maximalist shoe, which I had bought after reading advice on this forum, to a lightweight shoe with a small drop (4mm height difference between heel and toe). He said also that the increased running efficiency of this type of shoe would also help the hip more than the increased cushioning of a maximalist shoe which encourages a more jarring heel strike
  • I collapsed and had a fit in the late afternoon after doing one of the Standard distance qualifiers. This was caused by sleep deficit and lack of electrolytes and carbohydrates and of course the effort of racing. The after effects of this was a much improved lifestyle, primarily sleeping more
These two events combined to make me stronger and run more efficiently and just as importantly more regularly. I was able to attend track sessions every week and made sure I kept up my strength and conditioning work and on a balmy August evening at my favorite venue Eton Dorney (the 2012 Olympic rowing venue), in a Sprint distance Tri (750m swim-20k bike-5k run) I dipped under 20 minutes for the first time since the op. To do it in a Triathlon was even sweeter.
Later on in August I did another of my regular races, again a Sprint, at my own Tri club and got within seconds of my PB ad took a minute of my best bike time. Having qualified for the World Champs and it now a couple of weeks away I was in great form and very excited. But then I got a cold/flu virus about 10 days out. I thought I would recover in time but was coughing and spluttering as I stood on the pontoon in Rotterdam at the swim start. Despite not being able to breath properly I had a decent swim and thought I might be OK and on a technical, twisty bike course had settled in to a good rhythm and speed after the 1st of the 2 laps but just after the start of the 2nd lap I got a puncture and my spare wouldn’t inflate. Race over? No, I gambled on wrecking my front wheel and cycled the last 15k on a flat. After what seemed like an eternity I got back to transition, assured my poor worried girlfriend all was OK, and set of on the run with a raging fire inside me to finish with a strong run. 1st K was great, 3.57 minutes, but then the virus took effect and the rest of the race felt like I was running through treacle. I crossed the line absolutely shattered, found the closest wall to sit down against and burst in to tears. This wasn’t how I wanted my 2 year dream to end and it felt like the world had ended. On reflection, I still achieved my dream. I qualified, I wore the GB kit (see pic below from the finishing line) and I raced to my absolute potential on the day with the hand I was dealt. You can never do more than that. As a bonus, astonishingly, I wasn’t last in my Age Group!

How would I have done at those World Champs without that virus? I was never going to be anywhere near the podium but a week later I returned to Eton Dorney for the 10th and final Tri of my season determined to finish on a high. Sprint distance this time and I set of in the 2nd wave with the over 40’s, over 50’s and relay teams. After my best ever swim for that distance and recording the quickest bike leg of the whole field (including wave 1, the under 40’s) I started the run on my own in the lead and  held on to win my wave, came 6th oberall and in the process pick up a prize for the 1st over 50. This felt like the reward my hard work deserved.
To run, and more to the point, race pain free there have been two interlinked lessons:
  • Regular strength work is essential to good running form
  • Regular running is essential to running to your max potential
What I have found linked to these 2 points, and having turned 50 this year age may be a factor too, any absence in running means I deteriorate quicker then I did before. But the fact I have raced 10 triathlons this year, plus other events, means I am not doing too bad at managing this.

Next year I am to qualify for the World Duathlon Championship at Standard Distance (10k run-40k bike-5k run). This is tougher on the hip, and all other joints for that matter, than a Triathlon but only last weekend I did a 4.2k run-20k bike-7.4k run Duathlon and was not only pain free but also won my Age Group. I also hope to finish next season with a return to Half Ironman racing (1.9k Swim-90k bike-21k run). I am optimistic and excited to be taking on these two challenges. And none of this would have been possible without the handy work of Dr Treacy.

Good luck to everybody on the recovery road and those about to take the plunge, you won’t regret it.

« Last Edit: April 23, 2018, 08:59:53 AM by Pat Walter »

petemeads

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Re: 2 Year Anniversary
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2017, 08:14:33 AM »
Wow Alan, you have been busy since we met last year. And you have had to overcome significant ups and downs on the way..
Kipling's "Triumphs and Disasters" seem to have been handled well in the process - congratulations!


I can see the benefit of the flat shoes - I had my other hip done 6 months ago, ceramic THR because my femoral head broke off as the cap was being tapped into position, and I started back jogging parkrun in well-padded shoes. You would expect racing flats to be worse but the change to shorter stride length and faster cadence was less stressful on my hip and leg so minimal shoes is my current strategy. Target is sub-25 mins this year, not expecting to be under 24 for another year unless I find I can train properly again. Biking is going quite well at the moment, though.


I don't  suppose you got to meet Shoraztri in Rotterdam did you?


Cheers, Pete
Age 72, LBHR 48mm head 18th Nov 2014 and RTHR 36mm head Zimmer ceramic/ceramic 2nd May 2017 by Mr Christopher Kershaw, Spire hospital, Leicester UK.

Mcopt

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Re: 2 Year Anniversary
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2017, 08:29:01 AM »
Phew ! feel worn out after reading last 2 posts and here is me hoping I will be able to walk the dogs after my bilat BHRs !! You have inspired me don't know if I will get back running again but cycling and gym work are on the agenda going to show these posts to the wife as she doubts I will be up for much after ! Congratulations to both of you for your post op achievements you have helped me today as only 4 weeks away and surgery starting to seem real.

blinky

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Re: 2 Year Anniversary
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2017, 09:00:58 AM »
Love this report.

Tri Hard Alan

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Re: 2 Year Anniversary
« Reply #4 on: October 27, 2017, 04:24:33 AM »
Hey Pete,


No, didn't meet Shoraztri out there but I dont think he would have wanted to with me coughing and spluttering all the time!


I saw your post about the second op. Hopefully with the advancements in THR this isn't such an issue now. You seem to be recovering very well.


Just prior to my hip problems I was using a minimalist shoe, and even ran a marathon in them, and recorded some of my best times in year due mainly to avoiding niggly injuries and training consistently. The ones I use now are a compromise as they have some cushioning but still lightweight and most importantly have a small drop. Its definitely helped.


And I don't know what happened to the photo in my original post, maybe that function doesn't work or I used it wrong?


karlos.bell

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Re: 2 Year Anniversary
« Reply #5 on: October 27, 2017, 04:35:17 AM »
 :) Awesome Alan is all I can say. My goal was to be able to sit pain free but that didn't work. Eight years on crutches and now off them and can do 5 K in the 30 minutes so I am 1/2 again as slow as you but it beats sitting down. I mean it didnt work yeah right it worked better than I ever assumed. Most pleased to be running again and who knows when it may stop getting better...  :o Run on is all I can say. Great inspiration Cheers K
« Last Edit: October 27, 2017, 04:36:10 AM by karlos.bell »
2019-2020 THR Left & Right COC Revision Zim Continuum cup with Biolox Delta Cer Liner, Biolox Delta Cer Head 40mm 12/14 Taper, CPT Stem Cem.
2019-2020 removal of Hip Resurfacing due to Metal Toxicity Cobalt - Chromium.
2015 MOM Conserve plus
2011-2013 FAI hip surgery failure
2007-Injury wakeboarding

Pat Walter

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Re: 2 Year Anniversary
« Reply #6 on: October 27, 2017, 05:49:03 PM »
Thanks for the update. You are doing so well.  Glad you stopped by to let us know how things are going.

Sorry about the virus. 

Good Luck with your upcoming challenges.

Pat

Webmaster/Owner of Surface Hippy
3/15/06 LBHR De Smet

 

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