I have been meaning to write a blog for about a month now.  It has been difficult to motivate myself to write because the rehab training I have done has been repetetive and boring.  It just didnt seem interesting enough to write about.

After thinking about it though there have been exciting moments.  About two weeks after returning from Vail (six weeks post compartment surgery)  I went for my first kayak.  As soon as I got taken by the first current a jolt of adrenaline surged through me and I was reminded of how much I missed the this type of interaction while training.

There have been many firsts since my surgery on March 3rd.  Every activity has been added gradually.  I had my first swim with my feet on a float, a first swim, a bike on a trainer, a  bike outside, a double  pole on the Ski Erg machine, a double- pole outside, and most recently a few very short no-pole skate sessions.  (Just a quick note, the ski erg machine is a very good tool and helped a lot in my progression back into training.   I am able to use good technique on it.  Pay no attention to the guy on the advertisement that has apparently never double poled before.)

Two weeks ago my legs had progressed to the point that I could do double pole intervals.  I have now done two 3×10 minute L3 double pole intensity sessions and I felt strong and fluid.  My legs are also ready for whatever I throw at them on the bike.  I went mountain biking with my brother and he had to ask me to slow down and I went for my first century ride of the year on my road bike last week.  Hurting my brother on the bike made me realize how much I miss competition right now.  I am looking forward to some racing and timetrials with the ski team soom.

My caution and patience had worked out well so far.   I have had no setbacks with swelling or pain.  I will continue a gradual progression of training and activity building towards the New Zealand on snow camp taking place in late July.  I plan to be ready to train 25 hour weeks with one third of the training coming from skating.