Reversing the damage.

[carbonman]

The damage is reversible.
For that past few months, I have been intentionally testing the limits of my body.
I use a very balanced, off bike exercise program, that complements my on bike work.

It involves very specific core exercises.
You use 10# hand weights, a stability ball and yoga.
This is my first "off season" with cpap figured into the recovery equation.
I do hard, resistance workouts on Tues/Thurs.
Ride on Wed.
Mon/Fri are rest days.
Sat/Sun are hammer days.

I started this program the first of Jan.
It is paying hugh dividends.

Jan. was a 500mile month. NEVER have even come close to that.
I did a Lookout Mt. ride for the first time, EVER, in Jan.
Decided that since I felt so strong, I would just plan to do the Lookout
ride, every month, atleast once, whether I need to or not.

Yesterday, I did a hard, hilly 28miles in 27F cold.
I was tired, cold and sore when I got done.
I had a Hammer recoverite shake when I got done and sensible meals.
I slept 9hrs, w/an AHI of 0.9.

Got up this am, feeling good, rested, recovered.
Decided to give it another test.
I did my Feb. Lookout ride today.

Looking west to the Continental Divide w/a fresh mantle of snow.

43miles, 3K vertical, 2:53'
A little bit warmer today. 41F, sunny, chilly.
Felt really good, strong.

For atleast the past 7yrs, there was no way I could have accomplished rides,
like this,back to back. As MoneyGal put it "bone-crushing fatigue" would have
consumed me on the second day.

The damage is reversible

[LoQ]

Great post! Congratulations, and thanks for inspiring us.

Now, if only I could reverse the cognitive damage.....

[Bluebonnet_Gal]

Another great photo carbonman. You post the most beautiful photos. Do you take those on your bike rides?

Congratulations on doing so well! I've started a regular exercise routine and I'm feeling stronger. I'm taking it very slow as I have gotten VERY out of shape. I don't want to get discouraged by pushing too hard too soon. I'm just toning right now, but I'm really feeling the benefits and feeling my weak flabby muscles getting stronger! It's easier to climb stairs, easier simply to get up out of a chair!

[TonySanDiego]

Excellent inspiring post.

Memo to Tony:

Get tire pump. Pump up nearly flat tires on comfort bike. Ride around Lake Miramar and Lake Murray.

Feel good.

Thanks Carbonman,

Tony

[MoneyGal]

Thanks buddy. THANK YOU. Thank you.

I had given up that I could grade for my tae kwon do belts on the "normal" schedule - every three months, figuring I just needed six months every time for some reason. Now - no way. I'm grading for my purple belt in June.

[carbonman]

Do you take those on your bike rides?
I've started a regular exercise routine and I'm feeling stronger. I'm taking it very slow as I have gotten VERY out of shape.

Thanks! Yes, I take the pics on my rides. Gives me a reason to slow down
and see the roses all around me.

The main thing is you have started.
Keep at it and you will be amazed how fast the improvement happens.

Memo to Tony:
Get tire pump. Pump up nearly flat tires on comfort bike. Ride around Lake Miramar and Lake Murray.
Feel good. Tony

Tony, sounds like the perfect equation.
Pics of said lakes, please.

Thanks buddy. THANK YOU. Thank you.
Now - no way. I'm grading for my purple belt in June.

MG, you inspire me.

We are what we think.
Thoughts become things.

[Linus]

I agree with what is said here about exercise. Here is something to help track what you are doing.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ (part of map my fitness.com)

[Georgio]

Carborundum Man you give us mere mortals hope! Come to think of it, I did kayak a few miles and swim a half mile today.....you're absolutely right! Keep your story coming.

Georgio

[kopoloff]

And I'm leaving in 10 minutes for my hockey match tonight. an hour of fun, and, more importantly, serious exercise. Since I discovered the hose iIve found i can run out a whole game, so it's working for me.

K

[Mtnviewer]

My Pap therapy is slowly progressing this last month, but I do feel that my body too is able to recover from work better than pre-Pap. Yesterday, and after not a great previous night of sleep but ok, I went for a 1 hr. dog walk with friends, then after they left, I still felt some energy on such a sunny day, so I strapped on my alpine touring skis, a 25 lb. pack of stuff and I went ski touring around my property, through forest and field, up and down, following animal tracks and trails for the next 2.5 hours. The way back home was a 20 min. steady climb uphill. Then I did my stretching (as important as any workout to me), had dinner and felt nicely sore and tired. Early to bed, but on waking my sleep felt only ok due to some wakings, but the big thing that I noticed, besides no headache, was that after getting up, my body felt pretty much recovered, with no real fatigue and no soreness. That hasn't happened pre-Pap. Recovery from physical work or exercise pre-Pap used to take me 2-3 days. I'll see how the rest of the day goes and tomorrow, but this is a nice change. Thanks for sharing.

[JimW203]

The damage is reversible.


Decided to give it another test.
I did my Feb. Lookout ride today.

Looking west to the Continental Divide w/a fresh mantle of snow.

43miles, 3K vertical, 2:53'
A little bit warmer today. 41F, sunny, chilly.

The damage is reversible

Still hope for all of us - very inspirational.
Perhaps you should add "Fuji Finepix F700" to your profile.

[gapwedge]

Good post carbonman. Though I am not the rider you are nor do I have the scenic rides you have I have been on my CPAP since January 2, 2009. I, too, have noticed a big difference in my rides and especially the quick recovery for riding the next day. I am so looking forward to walking 18 holes of golf without fatigue halfway through the round both physically and mentally.