Two steps forward

Another day, another morning spent being baffled by my injury, doubting my recovery and second guessing my training. Business as usual really.

This latest round of introspection has been bought about by the renewed swelling around my scar that started yesterday. I am still unsure of what brought that on, but I was hoping that it might be improved today. No such luck. If anything it was a bit worse after my swim, a session in which I didn't use my right arm at all. Combined with advice from yet another doctor friend to just be really careful with my recovery, I was just about ready to give it all up and spend the next 5 weeks sitting on the couch until this plate is finally removed.

Thankfully my wife was the voice of reason, telling me in no uncertain terms that I wasn't allowed to stop training on the basis that it would drive her crazy. She is right of course, there should be no need to go cold turkey, I just need to remain sensible in what I do. Looking at it logically, riding on the trainer and drills in the pool should make the injury no worse since those activities barely use my right shoulder at all. That has been born out by the gradual reductions in bursa related shoulder pain that I have been experiencing over the last few days. The reduced swelling of the shoulder bursa and the corresponding reductions in pain tell me that I am resting the right bits. Sure the isolated swelling might have me baffled, but I am not convinced that is caused by either cycling or swimming. I am not really sure what the cause is, but I don't think it is either of those activities.

At the same time I can safely say that running is still off the cards for now. At least full body weight running is. I think the jolting of running must cause to some impingement within the shoulder joint. Certainly after my foray into running on Sunday I pulled up quite sore. I think running on the Alter-G or in the pool should be okay where the impact is cushioned somewhat. In fact that is a theory I plan to test on Friday with a bit of a jog in the 25m pool at Claremont. I did a bit of pool running today (as a break from doing kick) and it actually felt pretty good, so I will look to do a bit more of that. Certainly a good muscle workout.

So having been through that process today I am feeling a bit better this afternoon. Physically the application of some ice and anti-inflammatories means my shoulder is hurting less. Mentally the reduction in shoulder pain means my brain is hurting less. So things are looking a little rosier.

This recovery process has been a frustrating one for sure, but I just keep reminding myself to keep the bigger picture in mind. The key is long term recovery, not short term fitness.