Help, bummed, frustrated

Oh, that really is a bummer. Can you swim? I come from a history of contact sports and a concussion or 2 or 3. We didn't really follow it as closely 10-15 years ago. However, the major risk was always a repeat injury with concussion. I'm assuming you don't have as much of a risk swimming or riding a stationary bike at a lower intensity. However, I would always recommend following medical advice.

Ouch. I feel for you. I started off last year falling on ice while duck hunting. Concussion. Then a prostate scare requiring a biopsy, then came down with an auto-immune disease. Had to scratch a half Ironman and I am still not back at triathlon yet.

If you take the year off from triathlon don't feel bad. Set new targets, even if delayed. My target is for a HIM in 2020.

I like the suggestion an of riding on a spin or fixed bike. Keep up your fitness with zero chance of collision / repeat concussion.

Be well.

Edited by HaydenHunter 2019-02-17 1:16 PM

I feel you...

I had a heart attack 4 weeks ago, while on a business trip. 5 cracked ribs from the chest compressions & had a defibrillator installed. I am reaching hard for answers on what I can or can't do. I have a couple of 70.3's (earliest is June) and an olympic scheduled for summer.

Over the past few weeks I have been trying to get on the bike trainer for short low HR efforts.

Seems like June is probably a no go, hopefully the rest of the schedule will stay on track.

First visit with Cardio Specialist is on Monday next week.

Heads up, we got this!!!

Steve

Edited by PigeonTri 2019-02-18 7:07 AM

Consider finding a sports specific doctor as well to work closely with.

If your main doc is saying "do nothing and come back in a month" and you don't like his approach, fire him and find someone that will work towards what you want. Personally I find primary care docs are great for sinus infections, flu, ear infections... but when you get into something specific like concussions, more than likely that is out of their expertise (if they have one).

Search for docs from local sports teams, colleges, etc and seek them or their office out and find someone that has knowledge of working with athletes to keep them ready, but rehabbed properly.

In Kansas City it's great since we have Chiefs, Royals and a slew of research hospitals to choose from that can get you going.

Thank you for all your help/comments. I feel for all of you who have experienced an injury and I appreciate you telling me your stories. It is so hard when you are so competitive and then you’re sidelined, it’s almost unbearable. ??

I've had quite a few concussions, a few major, but most considered 'mild.' The major one resulted with a lot of vertigo which limited what I could do, safely. If you have issues with vertigo, nausea, neck issues, or vision problems I can understand the recommendation to lay off of training.

Usually the argument for laying off of training is concerning the trauma caused inside the brain and the concern that the raised blood pressure could cause additional damages to the brain contusion.

There is a number of studies related to the "rest period" post mild-TBIs with a number of studies decreasing the rest period to 24-48 hours before re-introducing physical activity. Some argue that decreasing the total rest period has a cognitive and emotional benefit which can increase quality of life, decrease depression, and a decrease in the persistence of postconcussive symptoms.

(***BIG NOTE and DISCLAIMER***) I am NOT a doctor, I don't know the severity of your accompanying symptoms, and I do NOT have the ability to diagnose, treat, or otherwise. These studies are out there so depending on what else you have going on (neck/back injuries being major limiting factors) I would assume some doctors might sign off on re-introducing physical activity.

Anyways, I find this stuff interesting so I read some nerdy on it quite often.

Some other things you can do, if you really cannot get back into physical activity just yet, is to work on what can still help improve your performance. Mental skills training is monumental and is more than just setting goals (though goal setting is still monumental). Some things you can do while unable to ride:

Self-talk preparation: Write out and practice self-talk skills. Also set up cues to help you recenter and refocus should you find yourself using negative self dialogue. Establishing self-talk phrases for different aspects of your event (run/swim/bike specific phrases) can help you be prepared for competition/training days.

Breath control: Learning to breath properly should be practiced outside of training/competition in order to carry over to competition/training. This can include tempo breathing (google the power of 4's breath drills); resonant breathing (usually works with heart rate variability training (if you have a garmin watch you might have this feature available); and arousal control (understand how to breath in order to either raise or lower your arousal levels depending on the need.

Visualization and imagery: Both have been shown to cause neural adaptation by causing contractions too slight for you to feel, but it prepares the neural pathways. Using visualization you can also work on contingency planning. This involves making plans for when things go wrong and establishing steps you will take in response to maintain and regain control. Basically it is making the unknown factors of a race more known so they no longer are surprises and you have already established and 'practiced' handling them.

You can also use imagery to assist in recovery. A quick google search for "healing imagery drills" can result in a slew of drills.

Focus drills: Help you sustain focusing on specific tasks which can help maintain control during long mundane rides/runs.
Anyways, I find this stuff interesting so I read some nerdy on it quite often.

Learning new skills: To include mechanical skills and learning expedient methods for fixing mechanical issues on your bike with minimal tools (mimicking a worse case scenario during a race/ride).

Assess your current mindset for fixed mindset patterns (believing that what you were born with is what you have) and work to build a growth mindset (believing that we are only limited by the effort we put in). Use the skills above in order to put yourself into a race/training scenario and working through it the best you can. At least it will help you 'get out' when you are stuck staying in.

Hope this overly long rant helps. Heal up soon.