Reader's Digest Version: Any of you spurred your doc's treatment/advice and started biking earlier than old? Did you end up regretting it, or did things work out okay?
Long Winded Version: Back in Nov., I ruptured my Achilles' tendon (http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=475064). I had it surgically repaired on Dec. 4, and have been on the road to recovery. According to Doc, surgery went well, and I was placed in a walking boot 3 weeks post op (although I was told to be non-weight bearing while in the boot for another 3 weeks). Had my second follow up three weeks ago yesterday, and started PT last week. From all indications, I'm doing great, and if I can read between the lines, ahead of schedule.
Here is my dilemma: my next appointment is Feb. 20, at which time I'm kind of assuming the doc will let me take the boot off. However, I signed up (and paid) to do the 24 Hours of Old Pueblo (which unfortunately has a no-refund/transfer policy), which is Feb. 14. I'm deathly afraid of doctors, and have been pushing the limits in terms of do's and dont's (for instance, even though I was told to not put weight on foot until 6 weeks after surgery, I was semi-walking in the book 4 weeks after, without any repercussions). As I mentioned, the PT said the recovery is going great, and my range of motion is almost even with my good ankle. Also, I feel almost no pain, and very little pull doing my stretches, etc.
I'm seriously considering doing one or two laps (I signed up solo, so I don't have a team to rely on me), at slow speed (this is due to me doing almost zero cardio since the injury), and wearing flats. I do realize the risk of reinjuring, especially if I eat dirt (which I think is a slim chance, since the course is very tame, and in the 8 years I've done it, I can only think of one time I've actually crashed). But I plan to be extremely cautious. In all honesty, if it was any other race, I'd just bow out. But this is the one event I look forward to each year. (That said, even if I decide not to race, I will participate somehow--either as support or volunteer.)
Anyway, I know the majority will tell me better to be safe than sorry (and I promise to read every response with an open mind, even if it seems I've made up my mind already). But I'm also looking for a bit of some validation (personal accounts of those who thumbed their noses at the doc, and came away unscathed).
Long Winded Version: Back in Nov., I ruptured my Achilles' tendon (http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=475064). I had it surgically repaired on Dec. 4, and have been on the road to recovery. According to Doc, surgery went well, and I was placed in a walking boot 3 weeks post op (although I was told to be non-weight bearing while in the boot for another 3 weeks). Had my second follow up three weeks ago yesterday, and started PT last week. From all indications, I'm doing great, and if I can read between the lines, ahead of schedule.
Here is my dilemma: my next appointment is Feb. 20, at which time I'm kind of assuming the doc will let me take the boot off. However, I signed up (and paid) to do the 24 Hours of Old Pueblo (which unfortunately has a no-refund/transfer policy), which is Feb. 14. I'm deathly afraid of doctors, and have been pushing the limits in terms of do's and dont's (for instance, even though I was told to not put weight on foot until 6 weeks after surgery, I was semi-walking in the book 4 weeks after, without any repercussions). As I mentioned, the PT said the recovery is going great, and my range of motion is almost even with my good ankle. Also, I feel almost no pain, and very little pull doing my stretches, etc.
I'm seriously considering doing one or two laps (I signed up solo, so I don't have a team to rely on me), at slow speed (this is due to me doing almost zero cardio since the injury), and wearing flats. I do realize the risk of reinjuring, especially if I eat dirt (which I think is a slim chance, since the course is very tame, and in the 8 years I've done it, I can only think of one time I've actually crashed). But I plan to be extremely cautious. In all honesty, if it was any other race, I'd just bow out. But this is the one event I look forward to each year. (That said, even if I decide not to race, I will participate somehow--either as support or volunteer.)
Anyway, I know the majority will tell me better to be safe than sorry (and I promise to read every response with an open mind, even if it seems I've made up my mind already). But I'm also looking for a bit of some validation (personal accounts of those who thumbed their noses at the doc, and came away unscathed).