Out of breath...

It's funny in way... when you get to train at least three times a week, you don't particularly appreciate being out of breath when doing something. At least I didn't used to. I just kept blaming myself for having a bad enough fitness level to even be able to get out of breath. Which of course is completely stupid, because no matter how well your fitness levels are, there is always some intensity of activity that can get you out of breath.

The last few months though, getting out of breath was not as easy. My legs couldn't walk fast enough to get my heart rate above 120. I still don't really have the flexibility in them to take steps that are fast and long enough to get me panting. But now..... I have my new bike!

Carefully chosen from the jungle of bikes that are out there. 1. It lets me sit with a completely straight back in stead of leaning forward (requirement for my back). 2. It has three gears, so I don't have to get all Hulky on the slight slopes we have here (also in regards to my back). 3. It came with an optional luggage carrier at the front (perfect for my training bag, once I start skating again, and looks cool!). 4. It comes with a highly flexible and springy leather saddle (both fashionable and a good shock absorber for my back). 5. It kinda looks like a specific type of Dutch bikes that I really like from home (the "grandma bike"). 6. It wasn't super duper expensive. 7. It looks super duper cool!

So today I went for a short test drive to the store and back and it was awesome! I almost shed a happiness tear. Why? Because while riding this bike I don't feel ANY of the limitations that I do feel in every other activity. My body feels like it is completely healthy, has full range of motion and has full strength! It's the best feeling of freedom ever. The only danger sits in that feeling making me forget that I do actually have these limitations by the time I have to step off the bike. I have to remember to stop and get off carefully. ;)

Now I'm gonna go out and have another go! See ya!

Going insane, need to babble...

So today it's been six weeks since they operated on my back which means that the damage done by the operation will have healed. That also means that I can start lifting and carrying things again. It's weird.. for some stupid reason I kind of expected this day to be a magical one. I expected to suddenly feel all healed and normal again, but of course I don't. Yesterday was a very bad day, but I think today will be back to the normal levels of handicappedness I have been at lately.

I have one more week off and then I actually have to do a full week of internship and my examination patient. Not sure how I'm gonna do that, but we'll see. I'll probably just work and sleep and work and sleep.

After 6 weeks at home not doing anything (well, handed in some school work and coached a few trainings) I am SO ready to lead a normal, active life again. Just wish my body was as ready as I am.

My professors approved my thesis ideas so I got the first go on writing a quantitative study on roller derby injuries. They were really enthusiastic and even expressed curiosity for the results. I'll be spending the summer designing the questionnaire which will then be sent out in the second half of september after approval from the professors. I'm so excited! I explained my ideas to both Euroderby.org and WFTDA and they agreed to help me spread the questionnaire. I've written to CWRDA in Canada but not heard back yet. Now I just need to create a list of australian leagues to send it too as well. I had a look around in Asia and Africa but roller derby doesn't seem to have exploded there in the same way as it has in North America, Europe and Australia. South America I haven't really checked yet. Will get to that next week.

Summer has finally hit Luleå and I just want to strap on my skates and get outside. But my physiotherapist wants me to get more strength back in my hip abductors (those you push off with when taking a stride) so that I'll be more stable. A few weeks ago I had no strength in them at all. Not just weak because they weren't trained, but weak because of nerve damage, half paralyzed. Also, one of my calves is very very stiff, so I can't really get into derby stance with that leg. There are more problems, but I think it's mostly those two that keep me from rolling at the moment. Core strength I have, just no endurance in those muscles at the moment. But I really think that both core endurance and the stiff calf would benefit from skating outdoors... long, easy strides. But then again, my physiotherapist is a really good one with years of experience and I haven't even finished my degree yet, so I trust her opinion more than my own.

Oh well... back to creating that email address database and searching for similar research so I have something to go on.

If you actually stuck through and read this entire post with no pics I commend you. ;) Just needed to vent some stuff and share it. Thank you for reading it all. :)