Four Years Later

What took so long?  That's a great question, and I guess I really have no answers for. 

I've kept active, road cycling and mountain biking, with some running. 

Four years after having my left knee's MCL repaired. Recovery and rehab took about a month or two. I have done a few short sprint triathlons over the past four years, but nothing really run focused. November 11, 2018, I will run the longest distance (14 miles) since that simple surgery. I have peaked in training at 10.5 miles. Sure, I could say there wasn't time to train or I was busy with other endeavors, and that would be correct. I have always had a love/hate with running. 

Who's happier in this image? My mom or me as I came 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) 

One note the doctor told me as I marked with a sharpie marker, which knee they were operating on, that he would have be back running, and this weekend it is. 

Images of the surgery the doctor took inside. 

I am excited. I have a few mental goals and time goals I am shooting for. The weather, now that it is fall and cooling off, will be perfect. 

New Year is just around the corner

So I am happy to say, a month after my MCL surgery,  I have been able to participate in the Runner World Run Streak. Running at least a mile a day during the month of December. A few of the runs I had to squeeze in late at night, but was still able to get them in. The weather here in Arizona has been pretty good this winter with only a few days of rain and not getting very cold.  I have many goals for 2015 and with the way 2014 is ending the New Year is going to be great.

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.