Ryder Amira Hoogland and life of late...

I have been wanted to write a blog post since Saturday when I first got on my brand new Specialized. First I should say that I am not a technical person. I could not tell you what is new in the way of carbon fiber, aero positioning, components etc. I am therefore not qualified to tell you the ins and outs of what makes up a phenomenal bike from a technical perspective. What I do know though is what riding feels like when you are trying to give that extra push up a hill, surge on a flat, and take a corner tight. I know when the bike is able to react to your slightest weight change from left to right. I know what it feels to be weightless. When I got on my new bike it was love at first experience. First it weighs almost 5lbs less than my old bike. That is ALOT! It is a lot stiffer and when I want it to go it just goes. An excellent bike feels like an extension of yourself. It is just that. I have never named a bike before and have issues with becoming attached to "things" but this will be an exception. After much thought I am calling it Ryder Amira Hoogland. Yes Ryder after Ryder Hesjedal. Last year many people came to learn of Ryder after his outstanding performance in the Tour de France. I certainly became a huge fan. He is Canadian. He is rather good looking but most importantly he is an incredible athlete with determination, style, and a whole lot of skill and power. After each stage I was amazed at how he managed the pressure on him and how he really stayed focussed on what he was there to do - ride well, ride smart and ride with fire in your belly. Ryder is riding the wrong bike but he can't help that - it is a team thing. And so my love affair has begun. Ryder and I. A perfect match.

Apart from getting my new bike, life has been busy lately. First to get a new bike takes a lot of work on the behalf of a few people. Ian at Specialized has been incredible and I have to say I am soooo super excited to be part of the family. Next is Bicycle Sport Shop. They have been awesome to me. I can walk in there now and know that all will be well - James and Tim in Service will get my bike build and tuned to perfection, Skot gets me fitted just right, and the other staff make sure that I have everything I need to race well. What more could I ask for!

Another thing that occupied my thoughts and attention is a visit from Joanna Brown, a junior on the Canadian National Development Team. Joanna arrived and immediately hit the ground running. She is a hard worker, trains hard and trains alot. It was amazing for me to see so much of my old work horse self in her. Unfortunately after 4 days of training she got very ill and a week later still had not made much progress to getting better. It was a real bummer for her I am sure.

The day after Joanna left I was on the plane to London ON. I was supposed to have 3 short days until I left for Brazil. Unfortunately 3 short days turned to 4 as a plane delay caused me to sit tight and leave a day later. The good news was that in those 3 days I got to see Sam (RMT) at the University of Western Ontario. As mentioned in my last blog, I did something to my back. It was actually my ribs that attach in the back but I will save the whole description of that freak injury for another time. Dr. Z of Advanced Rehab in Austin worked his ART magic for the past 2 weeks getting me mobile again where I was absolutely stuck. Like my favorite massage therapist Kevin in Austin, Sam has a unique ability to find, maneuver and release troubled areas without me really knowing that that spot was the problem. I think that one quality that is critical with RMT is patience. Kevin has it. Sam has it. The ability to let ones body sense where tension lies, to stay with it and allow it to slowly release. If I were to try I would find a spot, dig hard and fast and move on. Not always helpful. Anyway, if in London ON for some really odd reason and you need an awesome RMT, call Sam at UWO. He'll get it done.

And so, I am waiting for my flight to Brazil to start my season at the FAST Triathlon. Wish I could say more about it but to be honest, I don't know a thing! It is 3 sprints with commercial breaks in between each one. And that is what I know. We'll see how it goes after having one whole day to acclimate to weather that is 50 degrees warmer than what it is here. dohhh!

I'll write all about it after... until then though I am going to do my best to stay hydrated!

Labral Tears: A year later

I had someone email me the other day asking where I am at now almost one year later... so I though that I would give a quick synopsis and update on how Zane has helped me get back on my feet and running. My first MRI showing a labral tear on the right hip was in November 2009. This MRI showed that it was due to the way the bone was structured (FSA) coupled with poor running technique. In February I started having significant problems with the left hip . No amount of ART could fix it. I had a second MRA completed in March. At the same time as the MRA I had a cortisone injection. The results showed an extensive tear on the left hip. The MRA did not show FSA. The cortisone shot finally allowed my hip to stop freaking out to protect it. I was told at that time to not expect to be able to run that season let alone race.

After two consultations with Surgeon I opted to not undergo surgery. The outcome is not guaranteed. The only guarantee was that I would be out for at least 6 months. I was encouraged to learn how to manage the labral tears if possible. Zane started the process 5 minutes at a time to have me relearn how to run. He also incorporated a lot of core work to solidify my hip movement. I also had to really work on my flexibility in my hip flexors.

It has taken me a full year of complete diligence to say that I have completely changed my running form. I honestly wouldn't know how to run like I used to anymore. I am absolutely a forefoot/midfoot striker at this point. I have increased my turnover and am leaning forward more. Zane reminds me that I have not got it perfect especially when I start to get tired but I don't collapse in the core nearly as much. I do think about it though on every run.

The other key to my success in 'managing' labral tears is the work I get done by Kevin Trybalski, my massage therapist. I notice it tremendously if I miss one week of massage therapy and don't having my gluts worked on. I really can't do without. While I was in Canada I missed Kevin tremendously as did my body. Due to very bad weather I missed 3 weeks of massage therapy (that is some bad luck). My body is still trying to recover from some issues I developed - plantar. Again if Kevin is not on it then I start to fall apart...

So a little luck to have a coach who just knew I could do better, an incredible team at Advanced Rehab to rehabilitate me, core work, a whole lot of Kevin and complete diligence on my part to run with good form and I am still going. This year we will see the results of actually being able to run in the base period of my training. Thus far though it is looking really good, really really good.

On another note - back is better and I am up and running again. Thank goodness.