Day 24

I was reading this month's issue of Runner's World this past week and came upon an article that struck a chord... Hell Week ... which seemed appropriately named since, if you read it is about a mom sidelined from running for a week because of an ankle injury. Well folks, we're going on almost 25 days here without a run logged by yours truly, and while I really empathize with this woman and her plight, I would like to see her on Day 14. Or Day 17. Or Day 22. It's going to take more than a bandaid from her son to make it all better. At this point, all the bandaids in the world aren't bringing running back quickly enough for me, so, unfortunately it is my family that is paying the price. My poor husband has been so sympathetic and good to me. Especially when my emotions are running from complacent to wildly tearful in the matter of a couple of minutes. He even felt bad enough to buy dinner twice last week. And offer me a new outfit. Or a new ring. It's a good thing I wasn't having a prosthetic leg put on because who knows what he would have been offering... and our budget can't afford much more than the dinners out last week! I'm sure at this point he's wondering why he didn't leave me a broken and bloody heap out on the trail.

So, long story short. Another trip to the doctor's office to find out why I wasn't magically healed. Another x-ray to make sure that there aren't hidden fractures. Nope. All good. But, the bone is bruised, no running/hiking/lower impact sports until it feels better plus two weeks for good measure. I was told this could take up to six weeks. Thank goodness that by Saturday I felt like I wasn't needing the handicapped placard anymore. In fact, today at work, lots of people noticed that I am walking at a pretty normal gait.

So, instead of counting how many days it's been since I ran, I think my new tactic will be counting down the days left until I can run. Right now we are at 12 days and counting. That sounds lots better than the 35 days it will ultimately be when I can run again.

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 .

Curses! Foiled again!

It used to be a good food day. Oatmeal with mango for breakfast. Yogurt and granola for a snack. Salad for lunch. Snack of cheese and crackers. A few raisins. Plans of black beans and chicken tacos for dinner. There wasn't one sign of a chocolate cake at work. Or brownies. Or cookies. Because, the people at work are awfully good cooks and love to share!

But, then... the mint chocolate Dilly Bar arrived.

Curses!

I suppose this is why I ran this morning?

Welcome 2010!

Yes, welcome 2010! My husband and I ran out of one year and into the new year. We had our very own racing event... the 1st & 2nd annual one - since you were supposed to participate on both 2009 and 2010! Donations to our favorite charities were encouraged. I picked Greg Mortensen's charity of Three Cups of Tea fame. All great fun runs need a cause to donate to right? Friends near and far participated. I didn't have to clean my house and make a lot of food to get ready! My husband and I set an alarm (yes, read OLD) and woke up off the couch just in time to get dressed and stumble out the door to run around our neighborhood in the minutes preceeding and right after midnight. First, I had no idea that so many people were out in our neighborhood at midnight (yes, here I am being old again... I alway hear the firecrackers shooting off from a groggy state on the couch), and second, it was fun running in the middle of the night. Not quite as peaceful as my early morning runs, but, none the less, it was neat being out to see what went on and all the goodwill and happiness that neighbors I didn't even know ever came out of their houses had for everyone. I'm already planning on doing it next year. Where ever you are or what ever you are doing for the minutes before and after midnight 2010/2011, I hope you get to join us!