Slow and patient

Welcome back! It's been a week and I figure that means it's time for an update. I'll try to keep these brief and stick to an update at the beginning of every week. At least until things get back to normal, what ever that is, or you get bored. 

Since the last post I have been back to the doctor once, on May 13th. I had my staples and catheter removed. It feels great to finally be able to move around with freedom, albeit slowly. 

I have been out for a few strolls around town. Mostly short and easy efforts. I did push it a bit last Friday. Tammy was at work so there was nobody around to temper my enthusiasm and stupidity. I did a 3 1/2 mile hour long walk. A few little hills around town. Even some trails. I felt good. And then paid for it the next two days. It would seem I tire and run out of breath easily. I think I may have pushed too fast and far too quickly. My lungs hurt for two days! It hurt to take a deep breath and I didn't sleep well. By the weekend I felt better and I will now go slow and steady. Hmmm.....live and learn. You think I'd know this by now!

Everything else is going well. Appetite is back to normal. Sleep is still hit or miss. As far as incontinence issues, it's much better than I expected but still not 100%. Of all the after/side effects this is certainly the one for which I was least prepared. And probably chose to ignore. Again, trying to be patient and take it one day at a time. 

Still no back to work date. Still a 10 pound weight restriction. Other than that life is pretty much back to normal. No appointments in the near future and no decisions yet about the possibility of radiation. 

I recently hooked up with a great foundation and group of people F C Cancer Foundation. Check them out if you're interested. Just trying to do my small part to educate and help. If anything on there moves you to donate I have a personal donation page. Sven Strong!Obviously this has become very personal to Tammy and myself and we'd be honored if you choose to donate. 

That's enough for this week. Hopefully, everything keeps improving and moving forward. Thanks again to everyone for all the positive thoughts. Huge thanks to everyone who has donated. It means more than you know. 

Thanks for checking this out. As always, comments and questions are welcome. 

Recovery time again! This one may take a while!

I see it's been a LONG time since I've posted here. I guess life got in the way. It happens to us all. With all that has been going on - COVID-19 - and others to be explained shortly, I figured I had time to update this again. Mostly for my sake. It helps me think, plan and see where I'm going and where I've been. And I also hope it gets the occasional read.

I won't bore anyone with being overly detailed about what's been going on since my last post. Riding, running and staying busy. Added a couple more ultras to the resume. Even updated my palmarés a bit. Some races and some relaxing. 2018 was a good year. I raced the WORS open fat bike class. And got my ass handed to me! I did two gravel events - Badlands Gravel Battle in Medora, ND and Grit Gravel Grind in El Dorado, KS. Both events kicked my ass! The relentless hills of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the Badlands and the punishing winds with nothing to stop them of  Kansas. Are you sensing a common thread here? The beatings I took all summer did pan out in some late season success, and made the suffering worthwhile. I pulled off an age group win (55-59) at the Reforestation Ramble on my single speed. I capped off my season with a first in the single speed class in the Short and Fat at the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival. A decent year and overall I was happy with my results and training. 2019 turned out to be more of a running year. I headed back to the Ice Age 50 trail run and helped a good friend/training partner to her first 50K finish. Then it was off to Titletown Ultra Series and an eight hour run. Toss in some shorter races and the anchor leg of a triathlon relay and that was 2019. Work and life seemed to get in the way and event weekends just never slotted in with weekends off. Such is life. 

At the end of 2019 I figured it was high time to start getting some medical checkups. It had been a while. You know how guys are, right? Invincible! Bury our head in the sand! If I ignore it it will go away. (In the interest of TMI , let's just say that things weren't always working like they should). Off to my urologist and the familiar tests. If you're a guy of a certain age, you know what I'm talking about. A few pokes, prods and tests later and 2020 was off to an interesting and less than stellar start. 

2020 started with more appointments, tests and due to COVID-19, a few telemedicine visits. At the end of  February I received the test result nobody ever wants to get. CANCER. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I was a little prepared for this, but I don't think anyone ever is ready to hear that word. I know I wasn't! I didn't feel sick. Or at least how I thought cancer should feel. I assumed as a guy got older "things" didn't always rise to the occasion. (Okay, enough childish double entendres). I was training hard, had a good program going, felt fast and strong. I had my fastest time in five years at the Point Bock run. I was riding outside all winter. I had a 100K road ride in by early April. I couldn't be sick! 

Surgery was scheduled for May 5th. I had the weekend off before and filled it with friends and as much running, riding and outdoor time as possible. I did a 48 mile ride with two friends who I haven't spent enough time with lately. Thanks Todd and Mike for hauling my ass around and taking pulls in that bitch of a headwind. The beer was worth it! I got in a nice hike. I did a trail run with my better half and even managed to push the pace for a bit. On Monday I did a nice solo ride around the area. Just relaxing and realizing this would be my last ride until ????

So that brings me to surgery on May 5th. I'd lie if I said I wasn't nervous and scared. I guess I'm not as tough as I thought I was. I had robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. Crap, that's enough to scare the crap out of almost anyone! I don't remember much about the surgery. I recall being wheeled in to the operating room and then I was in my room! I would be remiss if I didn't give a huge thank you to the entire staff at Appleton Medical Center. From registration to discharge and everything in between everyone was compassionate, kind and helpful. It made the entire process a bit more bearable. 

I was discharged the following day and now starts the recovery. I head back to have staples and catheter removed on the 13th. Hopefully then I can get in some longer walks and progress steadily from there. I'm being cautious, patient and as positive as I can. One day at a time! I don't know what to expect as far as recovery goes. I'm sure it won't be what I want for but will be more than I honestly hoped for. We'll see. 

Finally, I need to give huge shout outs and thanks to so many people. Please don't be offended if I don't mention you. Trust me, every kind word, gesture, thought and helpful deed is appreciated more than you can ever imagine.

Of course I have to thank my better half, Tammy. I have tried to be a good patient. Really! I wouldn't be getting through this as easily and positively as I am without her. She truly is my angel. To the moon!

Todd Meerdink and Michael Kosobucki for that last long ride. That meant more than you can imagine. And Julie and Ruby for the pre-ride breakfast and green jello, because green is for boys!

Rachel Tilley and Ben Mikkelson for some great single track miles. Gentlemen's pace!

John and Becky Dudek for all the positive thoughts and help and some sweet dirt miles!

Suzanne Meerdink for supplying Tammy with puzzles so she can have some down time!

All my kids- Lara, Chelsea, Glenn and Travis, their better halves and all the grandkids. Your love and crazy care packages are so cool!

My sisters Amy and Trish and their families. I promise I'm behaving!

Of course my mom and dad! Love does help heal!
A few great coworkers. If you're reading this you know who you are and how much I appreciate the thoughts-and the bourbon!
 All the other countless friends and neighbors. Your offers of any help we might need is above and beyond. 

And again, all the medical personnel who have been involved in my care and recovery. In this crazy corona virus world you can't imagine how grateful I am for all you did and do!!

Okay, that's enough for now. I have a feeling I'll have time to update this in the future. Thanks for the read. Comments and questions are always welcome.

#fxckcancer #onedayatatime #oldmanpower #svenstrong #iwillbeback 

No surgery is good news? Right? I hope!

Well, I see it been a while since I have posted. Time for the inevitably long winded update. I hope it's not too blustery!
I'll start out by saying my cycling and running season didn't go quite as expected. I healed well from my hernia surgery. Glad that's behind me. I made the decision to put off any surgery on my aching and decrepit hip until fall. So, now that fall is here.....
I had a follow up with my friendly and helpful orthopedic specialist a couple weeks ago. I was to the point where it was starting to become a bit more of an issue. Waking me up at night, aching more throughout the day. He scheduled another MRI to see what changes, if any, occurred since January. There seemed to be some concern with being able to reattach my labrum due to another hip issue. The results were in and - drum roll please - they weren't what I expected. No surgery! Now, this isn't because I had miraculously healed myself in the preceding months. Apparently if that was the case, I'd be some kind of medical anomaly. No such luck. It seems there is a small cyst on my hip. Right where the labrum would be reattached. And drilling and reattaching there would be like drilling in to a cave. It seems there is nothing there due to some arthritis and erosion from joint fluid passing through the weak spot. Now remember, I am not a medical professional. Pretty sure I don't even sound like one. Just attempting to reiterate what I was told. The doctor told me he couldn't operate on me in good conscience. It most likely wouldn't improve things. I would probably be back in six months asking him why he put me through all the pain, rehab, surgery and down time for no noticeable improvement. 
So, again, not sure this was what I expected. I had built myself up to the expectation of surgery, rehab, maybe six months of limited activity and a slow build up to get back to normal. Whatever that might be.
Am I relieved? To be honest, a little bit. I know I'm not a good patient and I'm not very patient. I know rehab would have been a pain and I'd probably have been tempted to push a little more than was wise. I didn't look forward to a relatively inactive down time. But I was prepared to do what was necessary.
Now what. Work on my flexibility. Strengthen the core as much as possible. Add some strength through weigh work (high reps and lighter weights). Add some yoga. Modify my activities to what my body can handle. Learn my limits. It might mean cutting way back on the running but that hasn't been determined yet. Cortisone shot(s) are an option if needed, but I'm holding out on that. Maybe come spring/summer when it's time to start pushing and ignoring those limits.
One thing for certain is that I'm not down for the count. Not even close. Maybe instead of trying to get what little speed I had back, I need to work on my endurance.
I am looking forward to a winter on the Fatboy. I picked it up this fall and I'm having a blast. I like it enough that it could be my go to race bike. I like it enough that I sold my full suspension 29er. I just completed my first race on it and had a blast. I love how the big tires carve through the single track. It gives me an amazing sense of confidence. Now for some snow!
Well, that's where I am. As always, thanks for reading this. I appreciate any comments, suggestions and feedback.
Hope to see you on the roads and trails! Happy miles!
Svenofthenorth

Back on my feet and learning to be patient

Howdy! Welcome back. Just a short update on my surgery, recovery and where things are headed. Or at least what my plan is for 2017.
I would like to say that I am back to 100% or as close as I can be after my hernia surgery. I have behaved. I have listened to family, friends and medical professionals. I am the first to admit I'm not a very good patient, or very patient. Just my nature. But I honestly was as close to a model patient as I could be.
Once I was cleared to get back to my normal routine, I did. But slowly. Really. Slowly. I started ramping up the running miles. I did some short and easy running the end of February/beginning of March. I upped the miles the middle of March and last week (March 20-26) I managed just over 38 miles in 6 days. I felt good. Not great. And I expected that. I've been trying to get in some stretching after every outing to keep some flexibility in my back and hips. But honestly, most of the pain I had been feeling is gone. My back still aches, but that isn't going away. I can deal with that. The running has been almost entirely pain free. No bulging, protruding area in my groin!!! I think that was a big part of my problem. I guess running with part of your guts poking through isn't such a smart move. Who knew? The incision area where the mesh was put in is a little annoying. Other than a small hard spot at the site there is no pain. Yee-freaking-haw!! I haven't headed back to the gym and the weights yet, but I'll work that in slowly. Biking hasn't been a bother either. I did some hard efforts on the trainer over the last few weeks with no discomfort or bother.
I was cleared to return to work on March 6 with some weight limitations and was back to 100% one month after surgery on March 17.
So now what? I'm planning on putting of the hip surgery for the present time. The pain that I was having is mostly gone. Every now and then it rears it's ugly head but that's my fault. I need to be patient and learn when to say when. I'm slowly adding running miles. The speed/pace isn't there yet and maybe it won't come back to what it was. I guess I'm okay with that. I'm not a kid anymore and I never was fast. I prefer long slow miles. Hmmm.....maybe a 50K this summer? I'd like to do a few longer bike events also. Wausau 12 hour solo single speed is on the agenda. We'll see how the summer plays out. I'd like to do Race the Lake again. Maybe on the trusty old steel Trek, just for fun?
So, I guess nothing is really written in stone. I'm going to take it day by day. I'm being as patient as I can and realizing I didn't lose certain areas of fitness overnight and won't get it back tomorrow. I'll bite the bullet and register for something soon, just for some good old motivation and fear to keep me honest.
Okay, that's enough for now. Thanks for reading and following along. I'll be back soon. Hopefully with some concrete goals and plans.

SVENOFTHENORTH

2017! Deja vu all over again!! Wait, maybe not!

Wow! It has been a really long hiatus since my last rambling. As usual, I'll try to keep this short and to the point, but you never know when a shiny object will appear and divert my attention. 😀
2016 certainly didn't pan out as I had expected. In the beginning I had big plans. More ultra trail runs. I would learn from my previous efforts and put that to good use. I was hoping to move up a notch in Marathon Maniacs. In my mind I was ready to put my head down and push through and get some good results. Well.......that didn't happen. If you follow along you know the only ultra result I had was a Did Not Start. Running pretty much went downhill from there. On a positive note, I had a great year on the bike(s). More miles than I've had in years. Good miles. Fun miles. Solo miles. Group miles. Road miles. Trail miles. A few races with mixed results. But towards the end of the year even that was starting to hurt.
So it's back to those damned aching hips. I've tried therapy, exercise, cortisone and steroid shots. More x-rays and even a couple MRIs. And the result is-drum roll please- We interrupt your reading of this for an important update- not what I had originally planned on writing about here. I originally started this entry a couple of weeks ago. After the MRI and a discussion with the surgeon, surgery to reshape my right hip and repair a torn labrum was the plan. I was ready to write this summer off to rest, rehabilitation and getting healthy again. 
While I was at the doctors office discussing my options I mentioned another little issue that had been bothering me for "a while". I had a bit of a bulge in my right groin area. It wasn't always there. I could push on it and it would disappear. At the beginning it would be a non-issue for weeks. No pain. Not really a bother at all. Then it started becoming a more frequent issue. It really seemed to affect my running. It wasn't much of an issue on the bike, but I usually knew it was there. Towards the end of 2016 and the beginning of 2017 it was becoming more....bothersome, shall we say. A couple more appointments and I was the proud father of a inguinal hernia. What next?? Really??
The orthopedist I was seeing wanted this taken care of before dealing with my hip.
So I'm sitting on the couch with my laptop and an ice pack writing this while recovering from surgery to repair the previously mentioned hernia.  I had surgery on February 17. According to the doctor it went well. I had mesh implanted to repair the hernia. I was up and walking the same afternoon. Sore, but moving. I've managed a good walk the three days since surgery. I would like to add that they were walks on February days with sunshine and temperatures nearing 60°F. I know I couldn't run or ride, but c'mon Mother Nature, really!? I've tried to be a good patient and listen to Tammy and the rest of my family as they threaten me with even greater bodily harm if I do anything stupid. I'd be interested to know what exactly that defines. In all seriousness, I am being smart and careful. I have a follow up appointment on February 28 and I'll see what I get cleared for then. Even after that I will take it slow. I'm hoping that this might even delay my hip surgery. Maybe the hernia was pushing on enough things in there that it added to the problem. Maybe even changing my running motion. I'd like to heal up and see how things feel. The orthopedist said that this isn't exactly life threatening. I guess it will come down to how much pain I'm in once I get rid of this pain. 
So, it will be a bit of rest and rehab for me yet, but not quite what I was imagining. I may yet have a decent year. I know the hip issue won't go away, and even surgery won't eliminate everything due to the fact that there is some degeneration in the joint. I am going to take this day to day and not get my hopes up but I'm crossing my fingers. I'll know more in a week. Hopefully it's good news. 
As usual, thanks for reading. I hope it isn't too boring. And if you've dealt with these issues I'd like to have some feedback!!

Thanks,

Sven

The toughest race I've never done

Well, the Ice Age Trail run has come and gone for another year. The 2016 edition was a new experience for me. I started the year with high hopes of finally beating this course. Or at least not suffering as much as I have in the past. By the time race weekend rolled around, I was a spectator and crew support for Tammy as she ran the half marathon. 

I have to admit that it was really tough watching all the runners line up to start the 50K and the half marathon. It is interesting to see the start of a longer distance trail run. A few of the faster and stronger runners take off like it's a local 5K. The rest of the runners realize it is going to be a long day and set the pace accordingly. I even saw a couple runners heading out minutes after the official start. No rush, just talking and heading down the trail. Not very likely to see that at the start of many road races! Watching everyone head in to the woods and out of sight was hard on me. Then came the quiet of the start/finish area and along with it way too much time to think. 

I waited for Tammy to come through at the end of her first loop. She looked strong and was running comfortably. That's not an easy thing to do on that course. I enjoyed people watching as all the different runners passed by. Young, old, runners, walkers, some serious and some just enjoying the miles and scenery. Most of the runners seemed like they were having fun. A few looked like they were hurting. But they were all out there putting one foot in front of the other. 

I started getting a little nervous as the time passed and Tammy wasn't in sight yet. We both knew it was going to be a long day for her but the minutes kept ticking by and still I couldn't see her coming down the last few hills. Eventually she came in to view. Limping and bit dirty and beat up. The Ice Age hills claimed another victim. Apparently rolling down the hills in the middle of the loop isn't recommended. But she finished! And I couldn't have been more proud! She never gave up and pushed through the last few miles to cross the finish line to complete another half marathon. Add in the cold, wind, sleet and snow-YES, SNOW- and it made for an even tougher finish.

As we were talking on the drive back home Tammy made a comment that kind of stuck with me. She said I need to get better, heal up and lace up my shoes again. "These are your people." If you know me at all, you know I'm a serious introvert. I've never really thought of myself as a group sport kind of guy, but in a way she's right. I feel at ease and comfortable at a trail race. Especially an ultra. I love the test of seeing how far and hard I can push my body and mind. I don't feel like I'm competing against the other runners, just against myself. I like the low key, laid back air of an ultra. Any event with buffets at the aid stations is all right with me!

So, it's back to the doctor and a visit to a sports medicine specialist. Maybe a fresh look and second opinion will give me some different options to get me lacing up my shoes again. Or maybe I'll just have to learn to deal with a few aches and pains. 

I've been spending a lot more time on the bike and it seems to be helping. Maybe a season spent in the saddle will result in more running time in the future. Or maybe I'll just have to learn to be a good crew member and cow bell ringer! I'm crossing my fingers for the first option. 

As always, thanks for the read. Comments are welcome!

Svenofthenorth

 

A first time for everything!

Wow, it really has been a long stretch since if emptied my mind! I guess I really didn't have much that I thought was worth posting. I'll try to keep this short, but no promises.
If you follow this you know I've been dealing with some health issues. As for the pesky parasite problem, I'm still not 100% sure that I've got that beat. As far as the hip/back issues go, well, that's another story. I've been trying to convince myself that I could train through the issue and I really did give it a good try. I took rest days, cross trained, you name it and I tried it. The end result is that running hurts. More than normal. Especially anything over 10 miles. It seems that even my gait has changed. I remained optimistic and even registered for one of my favorite events-Ice Age Trail 50. I figured I could put my head down and shuffle through a 50K. As the year progressed and my training regressed I swallowed my pride and moved down to the half marathon. I surely could stumble through that, right? Well, today I choked on what was left of my pride and contacted the RD and chalked up a first- Did Not Start. Not quite how I envisioned my season starting. I'll still be at the race this weekend, but in a supporting role, as Tammy run her half marathon. I'll be cheering everyone and enjoying the atmosphere. Can you say "more cowbell"!?
So now what? I'm pretty much tossing in the towel this year as far as running is concerned. My thought process is that the rest, both mental and physical will do me good. That doesn't mean I'm going to spend my days on the couch. I'm planning (hoping) to spend more time on the bike(s). The non-weight bearing component of bicycling doesn't seem to bother me. I've been putting in some fairly good miles with relatively little pain. Mostly just getting used to being in the saddle again. I'm certainly not fast but I'm okay with that-really! No, really! I realize I'm not a kid anymore. There will be more rest days and smarter training. Maybe even a race or two. I haven't looked too far ahead but I'd sure like to do an event or two this summer. Maybe a WEMS race. https://wemseries.com/ Maybe Wausau24. http://www.wausau24.com/page/show/175723-home
I like the idea of something with more endurance than speed. I think it plays more to my strength and years of working shift work.
I plan to commute more by bike this year. It's a bit of a logistical chore, but I can do it if I quit making excuses. Plus, this gives me an excuse to put some miles on what seems to be a growing corral of bikes.
Hopefully, I'll be lacing up my shoes again. I really do miss the trails and the long miles. It's where I feel most comfortable. I guess I'm already thinking about 2017.
As always, thanks for reading. I welcome your thoughts and comments. And hopefully I'll see you on the roads and trails this year!