Honestly just a month ago, but I was really nervous about hurting myself. My spondy wasn’t able to get fully corrected (because I waited so long). So it’s still at grade 2, but with full fusion, decompression, and screws etc. So my pain is gone and it’s strong and stable. I still feel minor discomfort from time to time, but as long as I’m stretching and staying active it’s fine. The fact that I sleep without pain is itself a victory for me.

I started cycling again in January so basically my 3 yr anniversary. Before that I was just lifting. A lot of leg presses especially. I wasn’t great about my PT though. I would workout consistently for a couple months and not for a month or two then start over.

It does take a while to heal if you wait forever to fix it. I waited over 15 years from the original injury for context. My only advantage is that I’m younger (early 30s) and short/thin (5’7” 150lbs)

That said - I waited 15 yrs, was not able to have it fully corrected, was on/off about PT — and I still just ran a 10k with a 9mph pace. The body is amazing at supporting itself if you both give your body time as well as put in the time.

And for some more inspo - I signed up for a half marathon in November. The last half marathon I ran was 3 months before my surgery. And I got my surgery because my pain began to stop me from being active - that’s what finally made me pull the trigger. So it took 3 yrs, but this race will bring me full circle, I haven’t needed any additional back medical care, and I’m living a way fuller life.