Of Swimming Bondage

Back when I was younger, the times around my decade transitions - the "nines" ages transforming into the "oughts" - were magical times of gifts my body bestowed upon me both in and out of the pool, e.g.,

• From 9 to 10, I remember the wonder at going from not even being able to qualify for state swimming championships at nine to becoming a 'contender' at 10
• Nineteen to twenty brought even more magic to my swimming as I finally really learned to swim fly which transformed my 400 IM from a filler event to my best event
• The transition from 29 to 30 found me really not in the pool, but with even better gifts - my oldest two daughters born in 1996 and 1997

After that, though, these decade transitions have not been so kind, with my body betraying me rather than rewarding me: the transition to 40 brought me a diagnosis of bilateral hernias in 2006 and eventual repair of these in 2007. I barely competed or trained in either of these years.

As I look ahead to turning 50 next year, I had envisioned a great 'age-up' year like I had when I turned 45, but, alas, it is not likely to be. I finally got around to having an MRI on my long-ailing left shoulder. While I am sure that the pain is thanks to a long history of swimming, I had never had shoulder pain in all my years of swimming until I did a ~9 to 10 mile lake swim back in 2012 (http://forums.usms.org/entry.php?223...o-lakes-part-1 and http://forums.usms.org/entry.php?22406-2K-kick-w-fins). I continued to train hard through 2012, but eventually did a course of useful rehab / PT in 2013. My shoulder's never been the same since that time. Over our Thanksgiving trip this year to Miami, I had some particularly intense bouts of pain just walking around that lovely city and made up my mind to get this checked out.

I got the MRI last week and only my family practice NP has shared the results, so I don't know how bad it is. It looks scary when I read this:
1) You have tendinosis of the supraspinatus tendon with a partial thickness tear
2) You have arthritis of the acromioclavicular joint with build-up, which is pressing on the rotator cuff
3) You have a mild deterioration of the teres minor muscle with some swelling
4) You have a mild biceps tendinosis



I'm assuming because #3 and #4 are "mild" that those can be taken care of with some combination of rest, rehab. I don't have a follow-up appointment with the orthopedist until January 3rd and expect to spend much of the discussion then on points #1 and #2.

Until that time, I'll probably swim and kick lightly through the holidays, but don't expect to be posting here until I figure out what my rehab plan looks like.

I wish everyone a happy and safe Holiday and New Years! I'll check back in 2017.