I've been alternating weight training with cardio. Because I can walk some, my PT has had me on an elliptical machine for the cardio. However, I started having some soreness on my feet and the elliptical seem to aggravate the situation, so I decided to take to the track in my w/c instead. It’s a one-eighth mile track and I was doing pretty good until…oh…about halfway through the second lap. My shoulders were killing me. I forced myself to finish four laps, but man, that was a killer.

This really surprised me since I push myself around the office all day (and it’s carpeted). I guess there’s a big difference between going from here to there and going constantly.

I remember a part in “30 Days In A Wheelchair” where one of the rugby players said they put in about six miles per game.

It’s been a couple of weeks now and I’m up to a mile. Still, it seems like those first two or three laps are the hardest. Not that it gets easier but just less painful. Hopefully, this will improve.

Tell me this will improve. Lie to me if you have to but tell me this will improve.

Two days and not a lie in sight.

i used to go to a track an push but we moved so i dont know were a track that i can go to is around here. i know what you mean all the blood rushes to the bottom of your arms an makes them hurt an by lap 4 your shoulders are screaming. i would only do 4 laps then go home an watch TV for the rest of the day. Like anything else the more you do it the essayer it will get an thats no bull shit lol. keep working at it an one day you will be up to 6 miles a day.

And I thought you guys were my friends.

Thx. I'm coming up on my one-year and I'm still fighting fatigue all the time. I'm in the gym five days a week and I have gotten stronger. Still, I come home from work (desk job) and I'm hosed.

in My experience it's not that fatigue isnt present...it just becomes easier to push through it regardless

Trust me it gets easier once you get the technique down My PT makes me do the "12min test" where you push around the track for 12 minutes and every year i've improved my score about 100m or so. (now up to 2200m) and make sure that youre front wheels are okay 'cos it's not fun pushing if they are not spinning

When I first started in my wheelchair at rehab, there was a nice paved pathway around the grounds and I would try to get out everyday (until the snow came) and wheel around the grounds which had some decent hills. I remember waking up for the next while with tremendously tight upper body muscles. My shoulders, arms, back, even my fingers ached.

It's like going for a run when you haven't been out for 6 months and the next morning you can barely move your legs they ache so bad. Keep going and eventually your body will build up it's upper muscles and the pain will pass. A good massage by a registered massage therapist would help relax the tightness also.

Well, I'm up to 10 laps (1.25 miles). I find that the first two laps are the hardest.

I don't think I'll try the time thing as I'm using an old Invacare Tracer and it's a soft track (almost like wheeling on carpet). I might try it with my new Ki Catalyst, but I usually keep that at home.

I'm starting to see some benefits from it already. This past weekend was the annual jazz festival in our city. They have part of the down town area blocked off for an art show and second stage. My wife and I spent both days there and I did a lot of wheelin'. I just got some new hand rails and they worked great - even in the rain. My shoulders were a little sore, but not enough to keep me from enjoying myself.

btw, Joyce Cooling is my new favorite guitarist. If you like smooth jazz, check her out (I mean, check out her music - although, she is quite attractive, so you may want to do both).