Throughout the month of March, I am participating in the annual Slice of Life Story Challenge, an event hosted by the team at Two Writing Teachers. Every day in March, I will share a story and comment on the stories of other participants. Please join us in writing, sharing, reading, and commenting!
I bought my Peloton in November of 2020. It was one of those pandemic purchases, and I still love it. I had no idea how competitive I would get about it. Yes, I like the leaderboard. And, yes, I am constantly trying to set new personal bests. I never know anyone I'm riding with personally, but I give high fives and appreciate receiving them. #IFYKYK
Over the last few weeks, I've been recovering from a total knee replacement. Today is Day 24. Even though they get you up in the hospital and walking right away, walking is in quotation marks. Every day is a little better, but there have been a lot of moments when I've been like, wait, how do I do that? Raising my leg in the first place...stepping onto an escalator... going down stairs foot over foot-- they all seem like new tasks.
At physical therapy, I've been riding the bike. Two weeks ago, I made it three times around, and it was a big deal. This past week, I can get on and get right around, so I've been asking Kate, my therapist, if I can ride my Peloton on the non-appointment days. On Friday, she gave me the go-ahead.
"But you have to be super careful of the pedals," she said. "They're weighted, and you might not be able to do them."
I promised I'd be careful. I'd even get someone in my family to help.
This morning all said family members left me alone at home. There were friends to meet, drawings to deliver, appointments to make, and I waited. Finally my husband came home with bags of groceries.
"Can you help me with the Peloton?" I asked.
"Can I put away the groceries first?" he asked.
"No," I said.
He got the message.
The two of us went downstairs and he held my foot as I pedaled the first time around.
"Just spot it," I said. "I think it's fine."
It was fine. I found a five-minute ride, and I accepted the fact that everyone was blowing by me. I was under orders to ride with zero tension and I couldn't go fast-- I had to take Instructor Christine's instructions to ride at my own pace VERY seriously-- but I finished the ride. Woohoo-- watch out leaderboard! Not my personal record, but one of my personally best.
Maybe I'll do a ten-minute ride tomorrow!
Wahoo- high fives to you! I was right there with you, getting the PT’s ok, hesitant and careful in taking new strides, and done waiting for a spotter. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteI am sure if felt as if you had climbed the highest mountain with the determination of a new knee and a goal of riding with the best, soon. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteWow that's a big milestone! Being able to exercise again and move how you want to must feel so great! I've never been on a peleton but you make a convincing case!
ReplyDeleteYou (and your support team) got this!!! Keep up the great recovering work!!
ReplyDeleteYou've got this! I'm glad to know someone whose peloton isn't a clothes hanger!
ReplyDeleteYes! I think your motivation to get back to something you love with help you heal. And, I LOLed at the "no" to your husband!
ReplyDeleteI also LOL'd here.
DeleteAw love that it was not a PR, but one of your personal best. And definitely chuckling at 'he got the hint'.
ReplyDeleteSame here
DeleteYou’ll be back on the leaderboard in no time. Your determination is so clear. ❤️Jess
ReplyDelete