Yup! I have some stories. Saturday was my scheduled 12 mile run that ended at 8 miles and me Googling knee pain. I had a sharp pain through my knee at mile 7 and sucked it up to mile 8. I didn’t want to stop but it was better to stop than risk injuring my knee further. I honestly believe it partly had something to do with the weather. It may have been too cold for my joints considering I beat the incoming snowfall by a couple of hours. It may be improper running form (run analysis to follow!). It could be the running shoe. In any event it hurt! I’m not a quieter but man! I was trying to quiet the pain and then suddenly it got the best of me. The following day, Saturday, I did a 2 hour bike ride on the trainer. I was so excited because this was the first time I would be able to “ride” my baby. Ok, ok; I’m not really riding her; but we would definitely be developing a relationship. It would also give me an idea of whether or not I can hold the aero position. I was so excited about this ride.
I jumped on the new ride and the first hour was a breeze! The next thirty minutes I noticed some pain in the perineum area of my bottom. The ride wasn’t killing me; it was the extreme discomfort of the saddle! I was able to tough it out for the last 30 minutes. It was tough to even imagine staying seated on the saddle. I seriously wanted to cry. After having to stop running the day before, there was NO WAY I was going to stop pedaling. I didn’t care how much pain I was in.
When I got off the saddle, something wasn’t right. My “guy” was numb! I thought it would wear off and it didn’t. I started to panic and I went to the internet for answers! Bad idea! I read story after story about impotence and permanent damage and I really began to freak out! I also searched saddles that would alleviate pressure in the perineum area and found the ISM Adamo Racing saddle. (I will begin demo'ing this saddle on Tuesday)
Unfortunately, this saddle wasn’t here and the pain was. I thought that maybe I would just sleep the numbness off. I went to bed and woke up the next morning still numb!!!! I really freaked and decided I would make a trip to the hospital. It was Sunday morning and I thought the hospital would not be busy and I was right! One hundred and fifty bucks and 2 hours later I learned I had a bruised nerve in the perineum. In a couple of days, I will be good as new. Not after learning a huge lesson about riding aero and the benefits of having a good seat!!
One last thing, I haven’t been to an emergency room in YEARS! My information needed to be updated and I was asked my religious preference. I confidently said, Christian. That was awesome because for so long I didn’t know where I stood or what I was as far as religious values. Here is an idea of what I mean. I started with Islam as a child; then Pentecostal Christian (although I never studied the Bible or went to church for that matter. I was Christian in name only). In my adult life I was Seventh Day Adventist and Buddhist. Finally, when someone asks my religious preference I can confidently say…I am a Christian. This confidence I gain through my Father. I am so grateful for these lessons and these experiences. They are all part of my journey to walk among those few people we call Ironman.
UPDATE on 03/15/2010- It took a MONTH before thing felt normal! Im just saying! Ugh!
1. They ask your religion when you go to the doctor?? WHAT?
ReplyDelete2. Glad your friend is better. That woulda sucked.
3. My husband used to have the falling asleep issue as well but he got the Century Adamo saddle and it helps some - it still happens periodically I think, but not often. He will usually just bike a few seconds out of the saddle every 10-20 minutes to wake him up if needed. Ha.
4. I don't have a friend personally, but I use the Cobb saddles and really like it. It has a cut out to prevent anything falling asleep (I've seen guys use this saddle as well). The Adamo didn't work for me because it was too wide...I prefer something a little narrower.
5. Congrats on sucking it up to finish the ride...that's dedication!!
6. Get a foam roller for your knee...who know's if that's the problem, but for $20 you can save yourself a lot of problems in the future! I swear by the thing.
I have heard great things about the foam roller! I need to look into that and thanks for your comment!!! i was surprised too when she asked my religion {it was the ER not sure if that makes a difference though}.
ReplyDeleteYou DEFINITELY need a foam roller. :)
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