It’s been a busy day full of quilt business, pattern launch announcements, and all kinds of fun, but I didn’t want to let it pass without sharing an accomplishment I would never have believed possible a year ago: becoming a member of the Peloton Century Club.
This Time Last Year
I was 2 weeks post knee replacement, struggling with the effects of pain meds my body required to heal, and yet also still experiencing really rough levels of pain and constant discomfort.
Coach said he thought the Peloton would be beneficial to my physical therapy. I thought he was crazy.
Walking hurt. Sitting hurt. Sleeping hurt.
Six Weeks Post-Op
I was still spending a minimum of 8 hours a day in the Continuous Passive Motion machine, mostly because that was my best option to find rest.
Maxing out its range of motion was the highlight of my month:
I was struggling.
No way would I be able to ride a Peloton, and definitely not enough to justify the investment.
Not then, not ever.
2 Months Post-Op
We ordered it anyways.
I started with the “Just Ride” setting for 5 minutes. I tried to do that every day, but after a couple of rides, my knee was just too tender and sore. I was doing good to average three rides per week, including rides at the physical therapy clinic.
Over time I switched to the “Scenic Rides” that I was able to take at my own pace and without getting angry with myself because I still couldn’t keep up with an instructor.
I was so disheartened that I deleted every ride as soon as I finished, telling myself that I wasn’t doing an acceptable enough job to earn credit for a real workout.
3 Months Post-Op
I walked around the block with my family.
I tried a yoga class on the Peloton app, a 30 minute slow flow.
I made it all the way through the class with a few modifications for my knee.
I cried in Coach’s arms when it was over.
4 Months Post-Op
I quit deleting rides.
I was still only averaging one or two rides per week, but I was enjoying some of the core and stretching classes and learning my way around the Peloton app.
I was on my mat, practicing yoga at home a few days per week.
6 Months Post-Op
I began taking the low impact rides, and although I couldn’t keep up, I could finish the classes.
I was back to leading “Yoga with Momma Monty” for my football boys.
I was starting to feel a little like myself again.
9 Months Post-Op
Slowly but surely I was getting a little better on the bike.
11 Months Post-Op
Something clicked.
I’ve never been obsessive about exercise – in any shape or form – but I found myself drawn to the Peloton app, taking at least one type of class per day. Sometimes a strength, sometime yoga, sometimes a stretch, and sometimes a ride.
And then the weirdest thing happened: I started doubling up. Even tripling up. Taking a combination of classes each day.
I found myself taking “normal” classes instead of limiting myself to beginner or low impact rides.
Over the last month I hit many new PR’s (personal output records), earned several achievements, got really into the Black History Month workouts.
I realized that I can do this.
12 Months Post-Op
I celebrated my first anniversary with #NuNee by practicing yoga and spending 45 minutes with our Peloton, taking my very first 30-minute ride.
I kept up, I maintained resistance, and again, I cried when it was over.
12 Months + 10 Days Post-Op
Today I became a member of the Peloton Century Club.
100 Rides
I did that.
Even with lingering knee pain and discomfort. Even when I wasn’t feeling very motivated. Even when there were good books calling my name and quilts vying for my attention.
I enjoyed riding, lifting, stretching, crunching, planking, yoga-ing (that’s not really a word…), and meditating.
It hasn’t been easy, so I am quite proud that I can say, “I did it.”
You can do it, too.
Whatever “it” is for you, I hope you know that you can do it, too.
Just keep getting back on the bike, hitting the yoga mat, or walking around the block. Keep giving yourself grace.
And always know that I’m cheering for us both!
With love and hugs,
Ashli
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