grr. knees! bah!
Aug. 3rd, 2004 11:08 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
topazA few years ago I was registered and training for the Boston->New York AIDS Ride (back when it was all Pallotta/TeamWorks). I was naive enough about long-distance bike riding that I tried to build up my strength by mashing the high gears a lot. This isn't a great idea for some people, like me, because it tends to contribute to knee injuries. And sure enough, I developed a consistent painful twinge in my right knee which persisted, on and off, for over a year.
Since then I've been careful to stay in lower gears. That means that I'm turning the pedals around more quickly, but each stroke puts less strain on my knees, so it's a net benefit. In the last few weeks, however, encouraged by my increased muscle mass, I've been allowing myself to spend more time pushing the high gears. And lo and behold, sore knee!
Just like the last time, it only manifests itself when I bend the knee and put my weight on it, but is very painful when that happens. Google research suggests that this is probably a cartilage/soft-tissue injury, and that the treatments include (a) avoiding the high gears on the bike and staying in a gear where I can keep a high cadence, and (b) glucosamine chondroitin supplements.
Still, I respect pain. I believe in pain. So I should probably be looking for an orthopedist now. Especially since it looks like the Brattleboro trip is really going to be happening and dammit, I intend to be on my bike for that!
Since then I've been careful to stay in lower gears. That means that I'm turning the pedals around more quickly, but each stroke puts less strain on my knees, so it's a net benefit. In the last few weeks, however, encouraged by my increased muscle mass, I've been allowing myself to spend more time pushing the high gears. And lo and behold, sore knee!
Just like the last time, it only manifests itself when I bend the knee and put my weight on it, but is very painful when that happens. Google research suggests that this is probably a cartilage/soft-tissue injury, and that the treatments include (a) avoiding the high gears on the bike and staying in a gear where I can keep a high cadence, and (b) glucosamine chondroitin supplements.
Still, I respect pain. I believe in pain. So I should probably be looking for an orthopedist now. Especially since it looks like the Brattleboro trip is really going to be happening and dammit, I intend to be on my bike for that!
