New York watching, not running

stats of the week: cycled 112 km, walked quite a lot
stats of the previous week: walked even more
the weeks before: waiting for improvement

A year ago I planned to run my final New York City marathon this November. Now I am okay that I failed to get an entry. I am not able to run anyway. But I still enjoyed the big city in perfect weather for the whole of marathon weekend.

My favorite place in Manhattan is Washington Square.

Macy's display "give love" and what they mean is "give money".

From Miami South Beach I made it to the lighthouse of Key Biscaine by bike. A relaxing extension of the interair New York weekend.

The view from the causeway to Key Biscaine back to Miami City.

South Beach

The scene at Ocean Drive, Miami South beach.

The leading ladies at mile 14 in Queens.

Former European 10,000m champion Jan Fitschen of Germany, excited to see his interair group at mile 14. 

It was my 17th journey to the New York Marathon, thereof 12 I was happy to run myself. Now at the age 71, not just because of the new so called President, I have decided to call it a life and say Good Bye to the USA. 

Slight and slow improvement

stats of the week: cycled 109 km, walked 23 km, gym 4 h

Our final days in France saw us cycling still in the sunshine and we enjoyed the Gorge de la Nesque once again. Tourist season is over now. The local bar has closed for their yearly holidays, also our beloved Pizzeria at Vaison is closed. Nights are cold and heating the house is essential. Time to leave for Germany. 

Nearly 8 weeks since the knee operation and for the first time I tried some easy jogging. Every 400m of walking I let follow 100m of jogging for 5K. At least a start of a long way to a comeback.

Desperately waiting for improvement

stats of the week: cycled 120 km, walked 13 km, gym 1.5 h
stats of the previous week: cycled 82 km, walked 12 km, gym 3 h

Almost 7 weeks since the surgery and I am still not able to start easy jogging. Everybody tells me it is the age that let it last longer. Probably right. But it feels very long. And lets doubts come up if I will ever be back on the roads. On our 5-day-trip to Majorca I could only stand 2 easy bike tours and had to take 2 rest days.

Desperately I got back to take in diclo for 5 days. What helped to be free of pain at least and let me hope to improve the situation.

Bike path alongside Mediterranian Sea

Toulon Bay

Happily back in Mollans

Backdrops to limping

stats of the week: cycled 161 km, gym 3 h

While at least easy cycling is possible I am still limping after almost 5 weeks since the surgery. This is not the development I was hoping for. Some days show light improvement but are always followed by backdrops. First doubts appear if I will ever be able to run properly again. 

It is no good feeling to be back in Mollans in the Provence not be able to run. And cycling mountain passes is still forbidden after I experienced a significant backdrop after cycling 2 consecutive days.

However, we enjoy being in our small old village. Today was European open monument day and at the local expo we learnt that our little maison is more than 250 years old.

Comeback far away

stats of the week: cycled 30 km, indoor cycled 40 km, gym 3 h
stats of the previous week: indoor cycled 33 km, gym 2 h

Recovery is still very very slow with some backdrops in between. I still cannot walk without limping. Outlook seems to see a couple of months till a comeback. Half marathon Valencia is cancelled. Hopes are now to be back for December races.

Patience asked

stats of the week: none

Still struggling with problems after knee surgery. Cannot walk without limping, pain especially on stairs. After 14 days easy indoor cycling will be possible hopefully. 

Hopes to run the Valencia Half at end of October are gone. New target is to get fit in time for end of year events. Not happy with this development. 

More done than expected

stats of the week: cycled 70 km

Tuesday was day zero for me. The cutted meniscus has been repared as planned. But a lot more was to be done the doc told me after I woke up from the surgery. The patella cartilage had to be restored. Several loose bodies in joint had to be taken off. Finally - and most important - a membrane plica had to be cut. Probably this is the reason for the long lasting swelling I now have to struggle with.  

Obviously recovery will take longer than hoped. Nevertheless I still hope to come back to easy cycling within 3 weeks - we will see.