Fully fit, back on snow.

I'm back in shape!!! Finally something to write about. :-) I did a fitness test last week 6 months to the day since my surgery. I am really happy and surprised with how it went. My target I set myself when I was lying on the couch 6 months ago was to Squat 160kg by this week, which I did easily and to add to that I almost got a PB for my Overhead Squat. My bike test was just short of where I usually am when I'm in good shape however considering my injury and surgery 6 months ago it was good. 

I'm currently out in Austria skiing at Kitzsteinhorn glacier. This week I have been gradually increasing the intensity of my free skiing to put my knee through its paces and see how it holds up to laying the turns over, so far everything has been positive and it's held up well. I am very cautious of gradually increasing the intensity of my sessions and will take plenty of time before I'm back hammering through the icy courses like I normally do. 

Not much snow out here at the moment, up on the glacier it's excellent but its too warm for the resorts down low to seriously pump the snow guns on, although they have managed to blow some on the shaded slopes.

Here are the vids from my Overhead Squats this year and last year. I went for 120kg this year but was lacking in explosiveness from my legs so failed to get it up above my head. 

October 2010 117.5kg

November 2011 115kg

I'll keep you updated on my progress back to top skiing shape.

Getting stronger.......

Been working hard over the past couple of months back home in Aviemore. My leg is improving well and I've been able to push it alot more in the gym this week doing loads of individual leg stuff like Lunges and Step Ups to get the strength as evenly balanced as I can. My Dad got me a new frame on ebay a couple of weeks ago so I've had that out pounding the roads, it's also had a couple of runs up to Cairngorm which was a great feeling to be able to do that with my knee holding up fine. :)

Not much other news at the moment pretty much just grinding out the physio, it's looking good that I'll be back on snow for Oct-Nov time.......... Can't wait!!!! Especially now when I see all the races kicking off down in the Summer hemisphere I'm gonna be well up for it by the time the season comes around.

                                                               
                                                       My new wheeels.....

Midgies after coming down from Cairngorm on my bike!!!!

Laggan dam after a wee trip to watch Newtonmore get to the Camanachd cup final.

There's a tiger in the bathroom.......... :)

Getting there......

Just back from another physio sesh with Alison in Nethybridge and my knee is doing great, I pretty much don't need my crutches now but I'm gonna keep using them till I see the surgeon on monday. Got full range of movement, which is a big surprise for me I thought it would take alot longer to get that back, looks like all the work I did pre surgery was worth it. I have to remind myself that its not even 3 weeks since surgery and I still need to let the wounds heal before pushing it, I can go on my bike now though which is a big boost to get mobile again and not rely on getting lifts everywhere!!!

                     Physio excercises on the deck at my mums....... Cairngorms in the background

My nephew Jenson came to visit at the weekend, hanging out in my Dads back garden. 

A reminder of what I'm working to get back to.

Back home after surgery

Back home from the hospital today in alot of pain but glad to be finally on the mend, not much I can do right now just keeping it elevated and letting it heal. 

Plenty of time watching the telly and on my computer I guess, the Giro d Italia is hitting the big mountains now so that will be good to watch, Gross Glockner today and Zoncolan tomorrow. Looks like Contador will blow them away. Well into my biking at the moment after watching the ski team boys in the Etape Caledonia, also my new frame just arrived, pretty poor timing coz I wont be able to use it for a while ....... My dads building it up now though so I'll get round to check it out soon.

Date for surgery

I have a date for surgery!!!!!! YES!!!!

It's been a bit of a wait but I will go under the knife on the 19th of May to reconstruct my ACL. Mr Finlayson initially wanted me to wait a while and work on my extension to get the quads firing well, which they are doing now but unfortunately he couldn't fit me in anywhere in the last couple of weeks so its been a frustrating wait. On the plus side I have really been able to build a good bit of a base fitness on the bike and I also started back in the gym with a few upper body and core exercises. I did get a bit of a scare last weekend when my mate Donald batted the softball towards me, when I stretched to catch it my knee gave way and I collapsed in a heap on the field, however it was a good wake up call to take it easy and not push my luck by trying to do to much.

Looking forward to getting this surgery out of the way so I can REALLY focus on the road back to full strength!!!!

A few nice pics from Scotland in Spring time

Bridges over the river Findhorn at Tomatin

Cullen

Cullen beach

Loch Ness- Where's the monster