Sunday, Back on my feet:
The scar on my ankle is healed (at least on the outside); thus, this morning was my first day back in the pool (not just since surgery...but in a couple of quarters). I headed to the neighborhood pool at 7:55am...and arrived by 8:00...yes I love that commute. I arrived and waiting...8:05...8:10...I almost left...but decided to wait another 5 minutes. Fortunately the kid (also known as the lifeguard who unlocks the place) arrived at 8:15am. Most of the swimmers don't show up till 8:30...hum...I wonder why that is! I had a good swim. Mostly freestyle and a little breast stroke. Stayed in the water for 1/2 an hour. My neck felt really tight...so I worked on posture and breathing (i.e., not yanking my head out the water...wildly searching for air). I forgot how much I enjoy the outside pool. It is surrounded on two sides by a forest. I'm planning on swimming twice a week (one weekend day and Tuesday evening) for a 1/2 hour to start with. I'd like to start up with the 6am master come fall...but I definitely want to be in better swim shape. I was amazed at how fast my arms tired out.

Saturday, August 11, 2007
I worked on the Seven (pulled the left crank off, cleaned it and reattached with a product recommended on the FSA website). Then I replaced my clipless pedals with mountain bike flat pedals (think big pedals with spikes). Then I took it out for a little spin. I've ridden the Breezer four times (the last time -- 30 minutes with no pain!) so I decided that I'm ready for the Seven road bike. Within 2 blocks of the house my ankle started complaining. It didn't feel like something that was doing damage...just a lot of soreness in the ankle...so I kept riding. I rode a whopping 5 miles (all in pain). All during the ride, I paid attention to the pain and wondered, why can I ride the Breezer and not the road bike? I finally decided that it must be the seat height. I'm riding the road bike with flat pedals and I'm thinking that the road pedals and cleats add some height...so my next ride will be with the saddle a little lower. I came home and iced my ankle...not surprising it had swelled up pretty good.

I was expecting my ankle to complain all day, but after a good icing...it felt pretty good. So in the early afternoon, Cosmos (the wonder dog) and I went for a short 2 mile walk. I was very pleased at how good my ankle felt, and if I didn't have a dinner date (dog not invited ;) we would have made it a longer walk.