Friday, November 16, 2012

Shoulder Surgery, 14 Months Post-Op

I am constantly reminded that only a year ago there were so many things I couldn't yet do with my newly repaired shoulder.  When I lay in bed on it these days it feels normal and when I reach up to grab something there is no pain, things that I couldn't do prior to surgery and I didn't have the flexibility at this time last year.

 In the swimming pool I feel pretty much normal, my fly is getting stronger and I can do my backstroke just as slowly as I did before, ha ha. My freestyle, as always, is a work in progress and I think as I start to not just swim but train for swimming more over the next few months it will work itself out.  I am going off the starting blocks and it doesn't seem to bother my shoulder so we will just see how it goes with each and every start both in practice and competition.

Speaking of competition, I swam in my first post surgery meet October 28 at the annual Patriot Masters Sprint Classic at George Mason University.  I won the 100 free, took 2nd in the 50 fly and 3rd in the 50 free.  My times were about where I thought they would be and I know I have a lot of work ahead of me in the gym and the pool. 

So here is where we are today, I swam three times this week and this morning my shoulder and arm felt really fatigued and starting hurting while I was doing fly and back.  I backed off on those and did some kicking and freestyle instead.  I wore fins for the "Rumble in the Jungle" women vs. men relays, in part to keep my fly together and then of course to make sure we won.  We took them two out of three relays because my water ballet leg of the last relay had a lot more style and showmanship than my race partner Paul.

This week we are off to spend Thanksgiving in Hawaii, it will give me a chance to work with McB on her swimming strokes and to maybe give my arm a little rest.

No comments:

Post a Comment