Adele - ACL Reconstruction

"Rehabilitation is boring - I wanted to get back on my bicycle as soon as possible after surgery." Adele, who is 60 years young, ruptured a ligament in her knee (ACL) while skiing. Midlife Cycling worked with her Physical Therapist to help accelerate her recovery back to the road bike. ACL rehabilitation follows a path of standard milestones that include passive movement, weight bearing, flexibility for leg extension, and the flexibilty for leg flexion while, at the same time, protecting the ACL graft from detaching.

A couple of the challenges in getting back on the road are protecting against excessive effort or twisting to get out of the pedals quickly. Wind or even riding over a small incline on a bike path can put undesirable stress on the knee. And, the twisting motion to get out of the pedals in an emergency is exactly the same movement that created the injury in the first place.

With Midlife Cycling's CompuTrainer, and special pedals, we can control the exact amount of resistance for an exact amount of time that the rider will have to pedal against keeping it well within saft limits. The Spinscan analyzer tells us the power output of each leg and the balance between the quadricep and hamstring muscles. And, advnaced 3D graphics makes the workout entertaining.

Oh, yeah, Adele was back on the bike 12 weeks after surgery and climbing Boreas Pass (11,486 ft altitude - 1900 ft climb from Breckenridge) two weeks later.

Rick - Older Parent

Rick (48), and his wife Josie (44), got a little late start on the parenting-thing. They recently adopted a baby girl from China. In addition to being a proud parent, Rick is the owner of a computer system company, co-founder of Knight Flyers a charitable aviation organization, a USA Cycling coach and founder of Midlife Cycling. Addiing a child to an already busy life made fitness and stamina a priority. Rick and Josie tried the health club routine several times. But the daily obligation of a work-out soon wore thin. The last thing they needed to add was yet another mandatory task to their life. This is why exercise programs fail for most people.

The inspiration for Midlife Cycling came to Rick from a late-nigth "learn to play the piano" infomercial. The concept was to learn about scales, timing, and music as you played the songs rather than practicing scales, timing, and music to someday play those songs. So Rick started a cycling group that rode the bicycle club routes as training rather than just casual rides. They would gain fitness by riding the scenic roads of Colorado. Impressed by the group's progress in the first year he started studying cycling physiology but was disappointed that most training information was focused towards competitive athletes. Rick obtained his USA Cycling coaching certification and started developing training specifically designed for middle-aged (35-65) people who only have a limted amount of time to ride each week.

Midlife Cycling carries this training philosophy further by combining Rick and Josie's love of travel, good food, and other seasonal sports to createan entirely new healthy lifestyles. They hope that you will join them in helping grow this community of energetic and fun people.

Sharon - Continued Weight Loss

"I was once 75 pounds heavier, but still knew there was an athlete inside of me - I'm glad I got to know her again."

Sharon (33) at her heaviest was 265 pounds. That was five years ago. Like many college kids, she went through the typical weight gain, and then some. Once a competitive skier, tennis player and incredibly active young woman, she threw herself into her studies and ignored her health.

Her career was blooming, and great things were happening, but she knew something had to be done about her weight gain. She missed the active individual she once was. In 2000, she started a rigorous training program, which consisted of a diet rich in protein and healthy carbs, and every day she worked out for no less than 30 minutes a day. A year went by, and a lot of weight came off. Inspired by her new healthy lifestyle, Sharon decided to get involved in area events. A local triathlon looked intimidating but piqued her interest. She volunteered that year, and then following year she was a participant. That fall she did a second triathlon.

Since then, she moved to Colorado and met Rick Russon. Inspired by his training methods, Sharon started training with Rick. She sill considers herself a novice, and climbing is hard. But that's what she's working on and what Midlife Cycling is all about...helping you achieve your personal best.

Ed - Right Hip Injury

"I injured my right hip while training Tae Kwon Do a few years ago. I needed to take weight off of my hip and still be active."

Having to put martial arts aside, Ed started doing other non-impact activities, including swimming and cycling. It was only three years ago that he got on the bike and started doing triathlons. Ed was living in Florida and met with a few cycling groups on a weekly basis. When he moved to Colorado, he me Rick Russon and was thrilled to join his cycling group of friends. Now with Midlife Cycling, he can really focus on the best training methods, tours, and nutrition. The CompuTrainer will be a great tool for Ed so he can best utlize his athletic talents. Just this year, Ed finished the Triple Bypass, a 120-mile trek trough the Rocky Mountains. He's a perfect example of how to deal with an injury and enjoy the ride.

Sheryl - Active Lifestyle

Sheryl (54), and husband Larry, have built impressive careers and raised wonderful children. Winding down and just enjoying life would be well-deserved at this point. Instead, Sheryl is starting a second career teaching wilderness medicine and navigation at conferences throughout the world.

Last month: one week of diving in the British Virgin Islands, one week of cross-country hut skiing in the Rocky Mountains, one week conference in Jackson, Wyoming, with one-week and 405 miles on the bike at Ride the Rockies. Oh yes, throw in serveral shifts at work, taking care of the house, and babysitting the grandchildren.

Fifty, is the new mid-life. People are changing jobs or starting businesses to do the work they enjoy instead of just making a living. They are not ready to settle down and play cards all day. But living to the fullest requires fitness.

The key to great senior health is to build a sustainable fitness program in your 50s, 40s, or earlier. But the reality is that your body had aged and the approach to exercise that you used earlier in life is no longer appropriate. This doesn't mean you can't push as hard - you just have to use a different approach.

Midlife Cycling focuses on people 25-65 who have only 2-3 days per week to train.