Back From Injuries, Spring Time

Hey all, it has been a really long time since I have posted anything (August 9, 2009 WTF!). Mostly because there was nothing but annoying rants about how I couldn’t do anything workout-wise because of my injuries. If you are interested in reading any of these rants and 140 characters bitch-fest it is on my Facebook and Twitter accounts.

To catch everyone up, I was dealing with a major leg/back problem since late December 2008/early January 2009 through returning from my two months working in San Diego in August and September. I had an MRI exam on my lumbar part of my back to find out that I had multiple minor herniated discs, as well as disc degradation. The doctor at Capital Spine and Pain took care of me and I had cortisone shot in my L5/S1 vertebrae. I followed, and continue to follow the doctors recommendations, “don’t help anyone move and stick to one girlfriend!”

The amazing thing about this injection is that it instantly helped. Still being cautious I didn’t really do a whole lot of training. I continued to get some physical therapy, but after a few months nothing seemed to be helping so I started going to the gym again. At first I was focused mainly on swimming and upper body weights. Avoiding putting any stress on my lower back.

Finally after a month or two of avoiding biking and running, I started to train a bit more. I started off with a jog on the treadmill at 5 mph. and slowly adding speed, then an occasional sprint. Feeling more and more comfortable with this I began bike riding. Since this was during winter I did some easy trainer work before moving to spin classes at the gym.

Now that it has begun to warm up and the snow is finally melting from the mass amounts of snow that caused the entire area of D.C. for almost an entire week just after the Super Bowl, I started to go on the roads with Melissa. Some short rides down to Georgetown and around the area. We even started running outside, again slowly easing into hard runs.

The good news in all of this is that the back is healed. There are occasional pains but I either take it easy and it is alright by morning or the next day. I have tried to take a good look at my training and make sure that I don’t have any more overtraining injuries. This has included taking days off and relaxing so my body will recover properly.

Also, thanks to my roommate I was able to partake in my first group cycling ride. WOW! I have never been going that fast on a bike in my life. At points we were topping out at 40 mph and when the pace line was formed we were cruising at 25-30 mph. Got to see new places to ride and met some interesting people.

One of the people ran the Boston Marathon and beat LANCE ARMSTRONG! The guy is 56 years old and ran 2 hrs and 46 minutes! How awesome is that to say that you beat a guy like Lance! Another guy I met coach’s triathletes and runners and helped my roommate train for the three ironman triathlon races that he has completed. The guy can also fly up hills on a bike. He was starting near the back of the pack and finish in the top ten (of what seemed to be 50 people) at the top of the hill.



Other things going on in my life right now:
Still living/working in Washington, D.C., Wednesday April 14, 2010 makes it two full years.
Still dating Melissa, almost 14 months now


This summer has some exciting events planned:

April 18th: Earth Day 5k (Silver Spring, MD)
May 2nd: 5 boroughs bike tour (New York, NY)
May 8th weekend: Trip to NY
May 12th – 16th: Agee/Spampinato wedding (Cincinnati, Ohio)
May 29th weekend: Trip to NY
June: Opened at the moment. Group rides and training will be going on
July: Possibly 4th of July vacation?
August 14th – 21st: Brigantine Family vacation (Brigantine, NJ)
September or October: Melissa and I will run half Marathon on the trail or if we find a race
November: TBD (Vacation in Ohio for Thanksgiving hopefully)
December: TBD (Queens, NY for Christmas break)
Somewhere I would like to do a shorter triathlon (June –August time frame)

Some things to think about for 2011 for anyone reading this:

1. My friend Kevin and I want to do Ragbrai (Click Here). Anyone interested in creating a team and getting custom jerseys? Probably need at least 8 people (maybe more).

2. Chicago Marathon 2011?

3. Any other event where I could get some good hurting in. Suggestions? Centuries? Tri’s?