I'm marking not only the start of a new year, but also my 5th week post-op, after extensive surgery on my right foot; I've been non weight-bearing since December 5th! My cast comes off next Monday and I'll have 5 more weeks in a boot, so I'll hope to be able to have some re-entry time on my spin bike at home before getting outside again in March. Attached is a pic of the day that I got the sutures removed and cast put on; still had 3 more weeks of non weight-bearing so I was lucky to get this full leg brace which allows me to move about w/o crutches and there isn't any weight on my lower leg or foot.
I'm glad that I didn't have to stay stationary the whole time and appreciate being able to continue to use my right hip joint and quads. Hopefully it won't be too much of a challenge to ramp back up on the miles when I start training...!
I'm already registered to ride again in the AIDS Vaccine Ride 200 out of Atlanta in mid-May. It's not as long as some of my previous rides but it's a double-century ride over a weekend, so consecutive 100 mile rides will be challenge enough, thank you very much! My training time will be condensed so I'm hoping for mild temps and a dry Spring - ha! Knowing that 100% of every dollar I raise goes directly to the Emory Vaccine Center - HIV/AIDS Vaccine Research is the major incentive for me to get back on my bike and train hard! As always, I will be paying for all of my own travel and ride-related costs and was also my own first donor :). The ride organizers mobilize an army of volunteers, along with corporate sponsorships and in-kind donations to cover the costs of moving, feeding, lodging and safeguarding all of the AIDS-riders along the roundtrip route and overnight. We also were treated to a rider check-in catered dinner at the Emory medical school building, along with breakfast on Saturday morning before we rode out. They even had a local band playing for our exit from the Emory Univ. campus (to Lady GaGa tunes!).
start of the AV200 ride, May 2011 (Tracy and I are on far side of road from camera @ :30 seconds, maroon/gold Puget Sound Rider jerseys)
Also, after we both re-registered for this years ride, we were interviewed, so I'm sharing the article highlighting me and my wonderful friend and ride partner, Tracy in a recent ride newsletter: Rider Spotlight - AIDS Vaccine 200 Ride
Dr. Mark Mulligan, Exec Director of Hope Clinic/Emory Vaccine Ctr was the medical director for the ride last year, volunteering for the entire time with 1 of his feet in a post-op walking boot. Mark noticed and asked about Peter when he spotted the picture I always wear over my heart, then shared his own pic of his brother Mike; AIDS took Mike too :(
I was delighted to learn that he has registered as a rider this year! He and a few of the other world-renowned research scientists at the Emory Vaccine Center met with us at the finish line and provided us with an inspiring report on their promising research.
Sidebar, but couldn't resist sharing this pic of my grandson, Sullivan, on the day I got him his 1st bike; as you can see, he's most interested in the dragon horn he talked me into getting :)
I was delighted to learn that he has registered as a rider this year! He and a few of the other world-renowned research scientists at the Emory Vaccine Center met with us at the finish line and provided us with an inspiring report on their promising research.
Sidebar, but couldn't resist sharing this pic of my grandson, Sullivan, on the day I got him his 1st bike; as you can see, he's most interested in the dragon horn he talked me into getting :)
I ask you to please consider supporting my AIDS vaccine ride efforts again this year; I so appreciate your generous support and just know that I bring you all with me whenever I ride. You're in the best of company as my road angel Peter always rides in my heart and on my shoulder!
Many thanks.
Tailwinds!
Tailwinds!
Mary
