2014 Ends as 2015 Begins!

So I was able to finish the #RWRUNSTREAK, running at least a mile a day in the month of December, 2014. 2015 has begun and it's going to be a great year. 

The running took place a month after my MCL surgery early in Nov.  The rehab I put in really helped speed up my recovery.  A little stiffness here and there but nothing like it was a year ago.  The next tests on it will be more distance. 

On Sunday Dec. 29, I was able to get out on the mountain bike trail. I hit up a new trail in San Tan Park I had never tried. I look to return there a bunch as I need to get some miles in on the dirt trail to prepare for this years 12 Hours at Night in June. 

MCL Surgery, on the road to recovery

Who's happier in this image? My mom or me as I come out of anesthesia from the surgery. 

(Note: I was still a little out of it as you might notice I put my shirt on backwards) 

So for any of you that happen to follow me on Twitter (@timhakr), you’ll know that Wednesday I had my MCL in my left knee repaired. Surgery was at 7am so the night before I didn’t sleep very well.  I was a little nervous but mainly excited to get the surgery done so I could begin to heal. The 45 minute procedure was over before I knew it, after being put under.  Some physical therapy is on the books and slowly easing back into running and cycling. I injured by MCL back in January and had been nursing it with a lot of ice packs and kinesiology tape.  I am anxious to get back on my knee and leg and not having it hurt while running or recovering a few days later. 

So while the MCL was repaired my doctor cleaned up the arthritis.  

Later on during the day I have been able to go without using any stronger pain medication prescribed, as I am feeling pretty good. 

A little more family time, while recovering

I was able to get out with my son mountain biking this past Sunday, second week in a row.  I was just going to go out for a few hours by myself when he asked if he could go again, so really how could I tell him no.  He told me he had fun the last time but he said it was too easy.  So I started thinking I would take him out on a little harder trail.  Loaded up the bikes and we were out the door.  Like before, I lead the way to our destination ( a playground ), with him leading the way back.  He did really well and is getting the hang of it.  There are a few tight corners where cacti come really close to the trail, so I just told him to slow down.  I didn't want to see him get stuck or fall into a cactus.  What a great ride.

I was glad for the slower ride, as my allergies have zapped my energy this week. So many things in bloom here along with the pollen and the wind only makes it worse.

Check out the video below and this will explain the fun out on the trails.   

Update Week Three Marathon Training

After a week difficult running, and getting frost bite from icing my knee too much, I visited a new doctor this morning, actually this time an orthopedic surgeon to have him look over and see what is going on with my left knee.  After a bunch of new x-rays, a bunch of twisting my leg, turning my knee and poking and prodding, an MRI has been ordered.  I've been told to stay off my knee until they can figure out from the MRI just what is causing the pain and how to treat it.  I will still be working on my cardio on the bike and maybe purchase my summer swim pass, to swim laps, earlier than I had planned.  While the doctor what moving my knee around he did not think it was my MCL yet was thinking along the lines of it being my medial meniscus.  This will be found out during the MRI.  With the destination marathon being in late June, I am leaning towards making it a marathon I do on my own, locally here on the same day.   The weather here in Arizona will be quite different than northern Minnesota at the time, but save a lot of money.   I have already started putting together a route that would be 26.2 miles with plenty of gas stations for support.    The marathon in still on,  just a different location.   

Week Six Marathon Training Update

So here is the good news and the bad news.  The bad news is the doctor has gave the diagnosis of a sprained MCL, so with therapy and exercises I should be good, but still have a long way to go for a full recovery.  The good news is I was able to rework my marathon training program, so I will be starting it over beginning tomorrow.  I will restart the blog marathon updates starting next week.
The doctor is using kinesio tape to help deal with the pain while I work on rehabbing and getting my training going.  I took a short two mile run after leaving the doctors office Monday night and everything felt great.