Holding it all together!

Here they are - what was holding my knee together* for the last 2 weeks. I was supposed to go to the doctor and have them taken out today, but by yesterday they were pulling so much that I couldn't stand the thought of even another 12 hours with them, much less 24, that my sweet husband volunteered to take them out for me. Actually, he really wanted to all along and this was the opportunity that he had been waiting for! So, a few snips and tugs later, there they were... out. It's amazing to me how our bodies just can regrow skin back together. And while the scab is still there, the skin is one! My daughter calls it the Miracle of Mitosis. I agree. A miracle indeed!

OK, so new problem. I am still walking funny. Like really funny. Like as in people are starting to wonder if this is permanent and I need to apply for a handicapped plate. It's stiff. It's a bit sore. It was raining this afternoon and I didn't have my umbrella with me at work. I tried to run from one awning to another. HA! I'm not even going to try to describe what this looked like, but I can assure you it was not a sight that you would like to see. It's a sight I'm trying very hard to forget. After two steps of this I could tell it was pointless and just resigned myself to walking in the rain. It's looking like it could be a battle to train myself to walk properly again, muchless run.

I'll let you know how it goes. Wish me luck.

*There really should be one more, but somewhere in the 10 feet between the couch and the table, one was lost forever. I'm sorry that I must leave it to your imagination. Also, apologies for the terrible camera phone photo.

Things I Miss...

I've had a whole week now to contemplate not running... heck - I've had a whole week to miss WALKING, I've been in a state of hobbling, and most of the time, not doing a very good job of it. This whole experience has been different since I'm used to things like this happening to OTHER people, not me, in which I give them the appropriate amount of sympathy and then move on. It's a lot different when you are the one waking up every morning and remembering that the injury is STILL there. *sigh*

So, in honor of my lacking running... the things I miss and will never take for granted again...

1. Jumping out of a car and running "real quick" into a store to get one thing.

2. Getting in and out of a car without pushing the seat back.

3. Curling up in bed.

4. Climbing steps.

5. Wearing high heels.

6. Sitting on bleachers.

7. Parking at the far end of the parking lot.

8. Somebody or something brushing against my leg/knee (and me not screaming in pain!).

9. Walking with a normal gait. I'm not sure I remember how.

10. My 5am runs. If this ever gets better, you'd better believe there won't be a chance that I will ever miss one again!

One more week....

The last post title...

I'm thinking I was overly optimistic. Why? Yesterday I went on my second trail run of 2010. Unfortunately, it will be my last trail run - or any run for the next two weeks.

My husband and I decided to start our Saturday out right and get a run in before all the Saturday chores and activites got in the way. We went to one of our favorite places to run, not too far from our house and decided that we would again run about 5 miles. I was really happy about this, because somehow I had only run twice during the week. Mostly because I stupidly had commited to making a baby blanket for a shower Friday night. I should have started on the day that I found out the lady was pregnant! So, long story short, blanket making took over running. I hate it when that happens. Towards the end of the run, in a place that obviously I should have been paying more attention, my toe caught on a rock, I tumbled forward, and weirdly, my knee caught another rock which stopped my fall. I looked down to see a lot of open flesh. That was the last time I looked at my knee. I lay on the ground for a few minutes until I got myself together, got up, and found that I hadn't even scratched my hands up. Seriously, it is just my knee! But, there was a 3/4 mi walk back to the truck. At the trailhead parking lot I got a few strange looks from some mountain bikers who were looking at the blood running down my leg. I smiled and assured them we were going to get it stitched up. I also found out that when you hobble into an ER with a paper towel covering a gaping wound and a bloody leg, they take you right in. Yes, we spent two hours there getting taken care of, but, I never had to wait very long. It must have been because it was such a nice day out. No one wants to go to the ER unless they REALLY have to on a gorgeous day like Saturday was! So, here I am, eight stitches and one tetnus shot later (yes, I sheepishly admitted that the last shot I can remember getting was when I was 16 years old!). This morning the pain meds have worn off and my knee is stiff and sore. Getting around is a chore. I can't wait to try to get in the car! The worst part of this all is that I have a mandatory 2 week vacation from running. What will I do with myself???

My husband was thrilled though. He not only got to see my patella which he and the doctor oohed and aahed over, but he also got out of working on our bathroom remodel. I still have dishes, laundry, and vacuuming staring me in the face. Time to get the kids recruited... that's why I had them - isn't it?

First Trail Run of 2010!

I know, I should have done it earlier in the year, but it was January 30th before I got my first trail run in. I love running trails, but somehow getting there when there aren't kids to drive around or work to go to seems near impossible. So, my husband and I took an anniversary trip to Silver City, NM. While there were a few nice things about this town, what impressed me was that they have a trail system built into some open space near downtown. You basically get to hike/run around lots of old mines... after all, Silver City is an old mining town! The day before had been really snowy and foggy, which I am told that is unusal, but, it made for some snowy spots in the trail, and some icy patches to watch out for. Gone was the soft snow of the day before! There was a place along the trail we even took some time to go explore one of the old mines. We ran right at 5 miles, and while it wasn't a very technical trail, it was fun to get out and run somewhere new! If you ever get to travel anywhere, get up a little earlier so you can go run! With the advantages of the internet, it's not hard to find out where the locals go! If you ever find yourself in Silver City with some time to run, head for their Boston Hill Trail System .