Training & Nutrition - Need help planning for 2 months of down time

I ruptured a tendon in my ankle and will have a repair done on October 4th. Only part that bugs me is the full month of non weight bearing on the foot followed by a month in a walking cast or boot. I have been commuting this last year with a bit of pain, I guess the rupture explains that:eek: But I was wondering if anybody had ideas on how to keep me from totally going bonkers while not riding. Like some kind of exercise that will help keep me in some kind of shape other than round and flabby and then wheezing when I do get back on the bike.

Ron
Lakewood, WA

Well, you're going to lose muscle strength, and you're going to lose some aerobic capacity. A few thoughts:

* Ask when/whether it's possible to swim. If you can, that could help.

* Some circuit training with upper body only may give you some nice cardio workout, if you can work between the machines.

* Put your bike on a trainer, and take one pedal off? Might give you a weird imbalance.

* Some gyms have a arm/pedal trainer...

* Is rowing on an erg weight bearing?

A handcycle?

http://bike-on.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=52&id=419

Az

Dude, ask your doctor(s), not a bunch of people on a website. Your docs may not be omniscient or perfect, but they will know far better than any of us what types and leves of exercise are safe....

Dude, ask your doctor(s), not a bunch of people on a website. Your docs may not be omniscient or perfect, but they will know far better than any of us what types and leves of exercise are safe....

My doctor had some ideas, but another was asking around to other AVID bicyclists on ideas on how to handle the down time. All he wants is no weight bearing on the one foot until he tells me other wise. . . :D

I would go to the gym and hit the weights big time. You can work you entire body and stay in shape. You may loose your form but you can keep your strength. How about a stationairy bicycle, or some yoga and other stretching exercises. The breathing exercises that you do with yoga can really help to keep your mind clear and will invairably help you when your back in the saddle.

I need the same surgery. However, Im not willing to give up my strength and endurance. Ill tuff it out. I have 28 degrees of outside flex in my right ankle. Anything over 17 degrees needs surgery. 2 months of the bike is practically starting from scratch, not to mention your calf is gonna be half the size of the other and soft/flabby after 2months of casting. No matter how much you work it, it will not get to the other ones size. Ive been through it, I have to accept the fact that one of my legs will just have to be smaller but im not having the surgery. Until I cant walk that is. Till then, Im ridin.

Good Luck