Physical Therapy - Reward for running

By feeling good throughout the day, you become an instrument of peace, and it's through this channel that you eradicate problems. - Dr. Wayne Dyer

I have to laugh, since when people see my boot for the first time, they always ask "What happened?"  My answer is "I attempted to run a Marathon, this is my reward."  Ok, so maybe I should say I completed a marathon....but we shall leave that discussion for another day.  Usually the comment comes with a chuckle from both parties and if they ask, I give them the story of the actual marathon and my training for it.

Well today started another phase of getting out of this lovely boot.  Physical Therapy.....I had some mixed emotions.  Not because I have grown to love this thing, cuz lets face it, I have not.  Can't wait to be able to be normal again. (and by that I mean walking without a black boot, since we all know I'm far from normal)  But there is still a considerable amount of pain with the boot off.....and PT means I have to spend more time out of it.

Physical therapy today did not consist of a lot of torture, mainly because some of the things she wanted to do she couldn't since pain was already there.  Did the whole conversation of "how did it happen" and "where does it hurt".  She poked and prodded and checked my range of motion and flexibility.......(Focus people, this is not a dream I had, I'm talking about PT here...heehee)

She had me walk to the other side of the room and sort of giggled as I was coming back and commented how it was obvious I was favoring one side and carefully placing my right foot down.  I tried walking as "correct" as possible despite the pain.  She then went over 4 different stretching exercises that I am to do each day to get the range of motion in my ankle and to help my calf, which btw, is now smaller than my left leg...LOL
Finished off with some ultrasound on the bottom of my foot and that was it.  Quick and easy....We scheduled our next few appointments and as I was leaving I was noticing my foot really hurt (something it rarely did while the boot was on)  She sort of laughed and said, "Ya, I'm sure he's not too happy with me right now"....I said imagine how pissed he is at me, I brought him here. (yes, I was just talking about my leg as he, I know, very funny....insert sarcasm)
Its going to be an interesting next couple of weeks/months.  Its not as bad as a few years ago when I was in sick in the hospital for weeks, lost most of my definition in my legs and had to "re-train" to walk again after about 2-3 months.  I can at least walk, just with pain....Just need to take it slow, I'm in no hurry....

In the last 2 weeks I got the opportunity to dog sit.  Some have joked I should open up my own little service with the amount I do.  But when you're single its not like I have a family to look after, so when people go out of town, guess who is first on their list?  Well, I have no idea who is, but somehow they all say no and the bottom of the list comes me....heeheee, ok, kidding.  First week were 2 Black Labs and a cat....after that were 2 Westies and a cat.  Luckily the house with the Labs has a fenced in backyard, that way I do not have to walk them (or should I say, they would not have to walk me with my boot)  They are all pretty well behaved....for the most part  :-)  But what they really are is all spoiled....I almost want to come back in my next life as a dog.

Next PT appointment is Friday,what a way to kick off the weekend.  One step closer to running again....well, at least walking again.  :-)

Until next time....

Dash for Donation 5k

Once you run out of excuses you can then become the person you were meant to be. - Unknown

Saturday was the Lifeline of Ohio - Dash for Donation 5k.  I had signed up to support Team Noah Man before my injury was diagnosed and despite the boot, I decided to go out and join them in the event, since after all we were just walking.  Here is an article from Saturday's Columbus Dispatch featuring the family.
The purpose of the day was to promote organ and tissue donation and transplantation and to encourage Ohioans to join the Ohio Donor Registry and give the “Gift of Life.”

I can honestly say I can't remember the last time I did a 5k.  These types of things are more fun with groups of people, since I can run 3 miles anywhere without paying an entry fee.
While we arrived, I headed off to see if I could find a friend of mine, Marc, who had his own team and walking the 5k.  I went to college with him and his wife.  He had a kidney transplant in 2000 and is currently going through dialysis.  It was great seeing them, albeit, for the short time as I went back to find the rest of the team at the "start line".

The morning started off with a Kids Dash with the Mascots.  Was pretty neat and surprisingly only saw one kid bite it.  But it was cool to watch the mascots form a wall to make sure he didn't get trampled on (at least more than he already had)


Kids Dash with the Mascots

So we start on our way, a nice leisurely stroll around downtown Columbus.  Weather was amazing and it was a lot of fun.  But, damnnnnn, it felt like I was out there all day. I missed seeing the first mile marker and after about a half hour I didn't think it would ever end.  We finally came up to mile 2 and people were asking the old "are we almost there" question.  Definitely a lot different than "running" a race.  I can also see why its much easier to run than walk.  You finish a lot quicker....heehee


Alan, Phil, Mark and I....I guess I got the boot, they got the kids


I got a lot of comments on the boot, which I couldn't really hide.  I had 3 strangers take pictures of me along the way.  One of them passed me and said that she had to take a picture to send to her husband and show him how lazy he was.  The next thanked me for being out there on one good leg.....But the last one was the funniest (for me at least)  I heard some giggling and someone mentioning how they couldn't believe I was walking with that on.  Well, a few seconds later the woman comes up and told me "she had to take a picture of my boot to send to her friend".  I smiled and responded by saying "it's ok I know you were only taking a picture of my butt".  Her friend started laughing and she bit her tongue and started blushing.  Hey at this point in the morning I needed a chuckle and thanked her for providing it.

We finally made it to the end.  It's weird, I definitely had some mini flashbacks from Cleveland.  Felt like I was walking for hours.  Ended up going to Bob Evans for some brunch and I headed back for an afternoon cat nap.  (I think it was deserved)


Myself, Dana, Hillary & Mark close to the finish



184 participants for Team Noah Man....Where's Waldo


I'm definitely feeling the affects of the "race" right now.  My lower legs and feet are pretty sore and all I did was walk.  LOL  But it was fun and for a great cause.
Goal for this week is to figure out when my physical therapy starts.

Until Next Time.....

I actually RAN today!!!!

In the end everything will be fine, if everything is not fine, then it is not the end! - Keith Cameron Smith

 

JUST kidding……I mean, I technically did "run", but it was in my head, in a dream.  Of course I knew it was a dream since well, I've got this on me.  Being injured and wearing a boot hinders the whole running thing.  Here is me and my friends daughter, who recently broke her ankle, so the two of us hopped around her brothers soccer game while I was in Cleveland hanging out.

Meaghan and I

 

Well it’s been awhile…..for a lot of things.  48 days since I have laced up the shoes and ran.  24 days actually wearing this stylish black boot on my leg.  Been 21 days since I last blogged and I've only sporadically checked others, which bums me out since I've learned I enjoy it.  Has been about the same time since I have done anything productive, as far as activity wise and frustrates me.  Part of me can’t get focused and other part tries to make excuses I suppose.

 

I have managed to keep myself busy and like everyone, looks back and thinks….Man, where did the time go.

 

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I spent 2 weekends in Cleveland volunteering at the area prison.  A friend of mines mom founded a non profit group called Wings Ministry.

The goal of the Wings Ministry is to connect spouses, caregivers and children of inmates with the nurturing and supporting relationships of Christian people in local churches. (ok, so I copied that from the site...lol)

It's really an eye opening experience.  We start out with games with the inmates and their children/families until everyone arrives and gets settled in.  There are songs from the prison band and interaction from everyone.  After that they act out a story from the bible.  Everyone participates, which is one of the "rules"  So the kids and families and volunteers get picked from the crowd and dress up for the story.  Once that is complete, the director speaks with the families while the kids and their dads go to the tables that are set apart so they can spend some "arts and crafts" time.  They can make cards together, decorate cookies, make necklaces out of cheerios and pretzels.  This is that part I enjoy, just watching them interact and seeing the joy in their eyes, doing something so simple.  Once that is finished we get into groups and have pizza and cookies, with at least one volunteer per table.  Spending time talking, answering questions and relaxing.  After dinner is cleared up we grab a bag and everyone gives one person at the table a new "outfit".  Creativity, with only newspaper, ribbon, paper plates and odds and ends.  It sounds corny, but its pretty fun.

Watching them leave is the hardest part.  Not a dry eye in the place.  In a way its hard to actually "explain" everything that goes on, some of which almost has to be experienced I guess. (if anyone gets the chance, come check it out)  Here is the website:

 

Was able to spend some time with most of the Cleveland 10 Miler girls, which was awesome.  It was sort of a way to celebrate some birthdays that happened in the past few weeks, mine being one of them…..I’m not a big birthday person, at least when it comes to me.  I’m all about everyone else’s and yes, that may be hypocritical, but that’s life…heehee  Heck, if it were not for facebook I’m not sure how many people would have known when mine was anyway.  But that’s fine, as I have been told, we all need our special day.  The less time the spotlight is shining, the better.  Dinner with friends is perfectly fine way to celebrate.



Mellisa, Me, Deb, Kim and Nell



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I've spent the last week animal/housesitting.  Watching animals can be fun and frustrating all at the same time.  Cats, pretty easy, low maintenance.  Dogs, they are like kids.  Need to schedule everything around them.  Everywhere in the house you go, they go.  Plus they have yet to learn to speak English.  I mean, hellooooo, isn't that what Rosetta Stone is for, to learn to speak new languages?  Have they not come out with a dog version?  LOL

Luckily my friends have a back yard, so I can let them outside rather than walk them around the neighborhood, since I'm pretty sure one of the labs would drag me around.  But it's like a mini vacation.  Of course, it's still in Ohio, I still have to go to work, just a different place to sleep.  Ok, never mind, not like a vacation. 

 

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I had a follow up with the Doctor this week.  I didn’t expect the worst, but also knew this little thing called pain was still there when I am without the boot, so nothing he said really shocked me.  The boot stays on….for now.  He has a plan.  He wants me to slowly work my way out of the boot, and no, that doesn’t mean I attempt to take it on or off like an 80-yr old w arthritis.  Starting next week, each day I take time without the boot, working my way up to a full day.  Both the stress fracture in the right leg and the stress reaction in the left leg were tender but the pain when he poked around was minimal.  The foot however hurts like H E double hockey sticks….(That would be ‘hell’ for you non spellers)  J

He is starting me on physical therapy to stretch and strengthen the muscles in and around the foot.  I also need to get some sort of orthopedics or special padding for my shoes, especially if I am going without the boot.

So no plans of training, in regards to running.  But I can still daydream and look ahead.  I may or may not search the sights to find any cool half marathons or triathlons when I get bored.

 

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Speaking of running, I will be participating in a 5k tomorrow.  The Lifeline of Ohio Dash for Donation.  I signed up before I was injured and this little thing won't stop me.  Now before you get any crazy ideas of yelling at me, I am NOT running.  I will however be walking (or hobbling, however you classify it)

Worst case it was brought up that they would get me a wheelchair and my buddy would push me the whole way along with his kids.  Told them I would pass on the wheelchair, as funny as that would be.  It's for a good cause and with some good friends.

Here is an article about the family and the race.

 

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I’m also using my “down time” towards reading.  I guess it helps when there is nothing but crap on to watch on TV, but I feel more productive this way.  I was about to start another Myles Monroe book and I’m itching to read Rex Crain’s new book, but I came across another book and started reading “The Amazing Results of Positive Thinking” by “Norman Vincent Peale“   It’s actually a great book so far and highly recommend it.

 

Yes, it sucks being injured.  Yes, it sucks wearing this boot.  But hey, it could be a lot worse.  It could be broke and have to be on crutches....It could be permanent.  The world does not stop, so you have to adjust.  I know it will be awhile before I am able to run again, but it’s all good.  Doesn’t stop me from planning my next race (which yes, I have looked into)  Granted, another marathon is not in my foreseeable future.  If someone put a gun to my head and asked when that would be, I would have to say 2013 at the earliest.  There’s always fun races as well as triathlons that are ahead before that.

 

I’ve at least gotten a plan of sorts, for a few things.  While it still sucks to drive by seeing everyone run, I don’t “have” to run.  I’ve found that I do actually enjoy it though, so coming from a swimmer, its weird to say.

 

Life doesn’t always go according to plan…..But that’s ok.  You need something to rock the boat every now and then.

 

Until next time…….

 

Side Note...Special thanks to my friend Kim who FORCED me to blog today.  Yes that's right, made me....and yes, by force, I mean suggest that just because I am not running doesn't mean I should stop blogging.  My blog was a way to hold me accountable during marathon training, as well as get me out of my comfort zone.  So since I currently have no race to look forward to, I can still hang out "outside of my comfort zone" and write about others things (as boring as it may be)  :-)

Of course she also threatened to physically harm my other leg if....ok, ok, ok, I'm just playin around.  Heehee  thanks