Loving this no boot thing....sort of

Are you flirting with your dreams or are you committed? If you are committed, remember this: Anytime you make a commitment to something, it will be tested. People will try to distract you, challenge you, or even try to get you to compromise your values. Sometimes you might even have to stand alone when your following through on your commitments. Finally the question remains...are you flirting or are you committed? - Rex Crain

Week 2 sans boot started off with a weekend trip to Cleveland.  Had a seminar meeting with Monavie and they had a speaker come into town.  Packed house and alot of information, so it was a pretty cool event. 
I also promised Jodi's daughter Kaelynn the next time I was up I would bring popsicles, since that Friday she was getting her tonsils out and would not be able to eat much.  So Mr. Dave went over and got sucked into playing Marvel Comics Memory game, Connect 4 and Jr Monopoly.  It was still fun despite losing 2 out of the 3....not even on purpose.....I still don't even know how to play Jr Monopoly.  Also, much to the frustration of Jodi and the amusement of her husband, I seemed to be the only person to get her kid to drink.
Of course the weekend couldn't be complete without an ice cream stop with the Cleveland 10-Miler girls.  Deb, Kim and Mellisa met up (Bridgette ditched us) and it was a great time catching up.  Mellisa's son Matt joined in with Jodi and her kids this time.  I swear they are all absolutely amazing and they are the most positive upbeat people I've ever met.
During that time I thought it would be funny if I mention the pet shop around the corner, since Jodi's daughter loves to go there (and Jodi...not so much...lol)  So we met her husband there and walked around checking out the furry little critters, well, now it was her turn to get me back.  They had thought it would be funny if I came with them to some store named Justice.  Lets just say an all girls store was not as fun as the pet store....LOL

In the beginning of the week I had my follow-up with the doctor.  The last I saw him he told me to make 2 appointments.  One for a little over 2 weeks and one for less than a month.  If my foot was really bothering me, come back in 2 weeks and he would perform the deep tissue massage, something called Active Release Technique.  If it felt fine, cancel and he would see me in a month to discuss running again.  Well, things were going well, until for some reason this past weekend it slowly started getting worse.  I played it off (like I always do) and figured it was fine and was going to cancel the appointment.  Then I remembered something my friend Morgan said (who unfortunately is dealing with a stress fracture recovery as well) and that was to not mess around with the pain and not to hide it. (ok, I'm not quoting her...but I think she was telling me not to be stubborn)
So, I kept the appointment and went for the treatment.  It felt like my foot was getting flattened like a pancake.  I laughed when the doctor told me after to ice it because "it may not feel so good the next day or so."  Gee I wonder why....LOL

Dropped down to only one PT appointment for this week, which not sure is good or bad.  But considering I had A.R.T. on Tuesday, it was probably for the better.  My regular therapist was on vacation, so someone new stepped in.  I'm more than familiar with the routine as far as the exercises, which one's I like, which ones I dislike...(lunges...cough cough)  So got on the leg press machine and he tells me the sets.  I'm the first to admit that I'm a little cloudy on the amount of sets I do, since it varies depending on pain level and progression, but I thought it was more than normal.  Got the leg presses and calf raises complete and as I started to get off the machine he informs me to stay where I'm at.....New exercises. 
Oh joy, not only has he added reps, but new things to do.  He has me doing some form of "jumps" on the machine, without coming to a stop, then after that, doing single leg pushoffs, simulating a running motion.  I was definitely hesitant on both of these, especially at first.  He laughed and said don't worry, you won't break the machine, just push.  I had to inform him that it wasn't the machine I was worried about breaking.
Each exercise after got an increase of reps (except for the lunges...woohoo)  Towards the end he made the comment that he was just following orders and laughed how my PT went on vacation and made him out to be the mean guy making me do all this new stuff and more reps.....
My legs are pretty sore at the moment after all of that this week, but there is a glimmer of hope.....Which is no boot, so while there are times I want to avoid the soreness and go back to the boot, there's only one way to get it stronger..

Next week has another treatment lined up along with PT, so I'll just take it as it goes.  One step at a time.

Until Next Time.....

Baby Steps......One foot in front of the other.

How do you feel today? Actually, it doesn't matter! Never let your feelings take charge over your day. Create you own feelings. Tell your feelings how to feel. Life is a movie. The cameras are rolling. Make sure you are acting like a happy, kind, successful person! - Rex Crain

Today I feel....wait, according to Rex it doesn't matter.  :-)
But actually its been a long week.  Seems like it was a week of baby steps.  Then again, since it was my first week without the boot, it literally WAS a week of baby steps. 

For some reason I chose the first day out of the boot to be the one that started off with therapy in the morning.  Bright and early I show up without the boot and my therapist is surprised.  So my reward..."Let's add lunges"  Seriously?  I hate those when I'm 100%, now she wants me to do them when I'm hobbling.  So first set goes somewhat smoothly but of course it's with my good leg.  Now's the test and the first one, I lean forward and sure enough lose my balance and fall over.  I look up and shes giggling and tells me to try again.  Of course this time she gets down to one knee and holds both her arms out asking "if I want a spot".  I thought it was funny and almost fell on purpose to be a smartass.  But I was being cautious not wanting to hurt myself.
I seemed to make it through the day pretty well.  Nothing major.  That is until the next day.  I spent the weekend out of the boot, which is great, but it was spent searching for the person who beat my leg with a bat.  My calf was screaming and my ankle was tight.  Obviously the constant use during the day including stairs took a toll.  On Monday my therapist asked how my weekend was and when I made my bat comment, she of course said..."I may have had something to do with that after Friday".....Uh, YA THINK!!!!!
Of course this didn't stop her from adding yet another exercise to her little torture, errrrrrr, I mean list.
By Wednesday, I was feeling better and that meant "more reps" at therapy.  Granted I can't complain too much since I realize the whole point is to get me stronger and back to "normal".  But why can't they say, "hey, good job, you get a cookie or an ice cream cone or something like that."  LOL

As the week went on it slowly progressed and I started to notice a difference.  Mainly in the fact that I'm not as "focused" or hesitant with walking, including the stairs.  That's where the bad part comes in.  Yesterday I found myself going up the stairs, rather swiftly including two at a time, not paying attention.  I got to the top of the steps and realized what I did and kind of froze.  I moved my leg to make sure it was still there and slowly walked to my desk.  Granted I paid for it later, as last night it was pretty sore.  Memo to self....still need to be aware of things.  Just because I am without the boot doesn't mean I can do everything.  It's just hard to "focus" on something as simple as walking.

For those wondering about running, (since I've been asked about 10 times if I've started running yet) still not thinking about it, at least until I see the doctor.  I have nothing to run for until October, so just going to keep it simple...Bike and pool and weights and continue my therapy exercises.  While I have done no cardio this week, I've gotten a second wind and next week will get into the routine of the gym.  I find it funny, when I have the boot on, people see there is something wrong....Now that I have it off, people think I'm fine (boy do they not know me...heehee)  I am doing my best not to "limp" because I don't want the questions.

Looking forward to a relaxing weekend as well as a positive week ahead.

Until Next Time.....

To rock the boot or not rock the boot...THAT is the question!

I am not in this world to live up to other people's expectations, nor do I feel that the world must live up to mine. - Fritz Perl

For some reason I thought I blogged recently, I guess its been longer than I thought.  The last few weeks have had lots of ups and downs (So in other words....LIFE happened...lol)

Physical therapy - They don't mess around.  My foot and leg were put right to the test.  Bike, leg press, Hip raises, balancing, rubber band exercises, stretching....I've had 4 or 5 appointments and they have been progressing well.  Obviously the most enjoyable parts are at the end...Both because its over and because its time for ultrasound.  After about 3rd session I mentioned the pain in the bottom of my foot was still there.  Some quick investigating, she discovered "the spot" under my foot.  In between the captain of the toes (Seinfeld's words, not mine) and the second toe, was some nice inflammation.  Hinted that I may have damaged the ligaments.  Well she proceeded to dive her fingers pressing down my whole foot starting at the top.  When asked if I can hearing that "crunching" sound, my response was a painful, "yes its giving me foam roller flashbacks"  She chuckled and kept going.  Question....why must they think everything is funny when it comes to pain.  Nevermind, probably karma for my sick sense of humor with people.
Actually got a compliment this week as she noticed me walking with less hesitation.  Of course that was followed up with...Guess we need to add more reps to each exercise....Oh goody, I can't wait.

Official word from the Doc was Tuesday, the boot comes OFF Friday (as in tomorrow)  :-)
I have been slowly getting out of the boot the past 2 weeks, not wearing it when I am home, but I didn't want to rush anything.  I have been waiting for my follow up with the doctor.  He also agreed with the physical therapist regarding my foot.  I more than likely sprained some ligaments in between the bones, causing the main source of swelling, pain and scar tissue.  But as he said "no matter what the diagnosis, you jacked it up pretty good"  I laughed and said, "guess that's what I get for running the marathon on short training".  He asked if I would do another one....and my response was "of course, but I'll be smarter this time".  If the pain continues while off the boot over the next week or two, he wanted to explore a deep tissue massage.  I mean who doesn't love a massage?  Of course as he explained, this would not be a relaxing/enjoyable one and also not be performed by a female...  (Please no pain, please no pain...heehee)
As far as running again, well its in the far back part of my head.  Not because I don't want to, but I'd like to get through the walking part without pain.  The doctor did say that if things progress well over the next 3-4 weeks, maybe then we would discuss an action plan to start running.  I laughed to myself because he seemed more eager for me to run than I did.  I told him my goal was not to do any races or anything crazy, but I'd like to/need to be able to do 3-4 miles by early October.

Spent some time in Cleveland last weekend and went to a "Christmas in July" party,  which was rather interesting.  Being around new people with a boot on...I may or may not have heard "why you wearing that boot" once or twice.  I thought about making something up, but once you change your story, it gets complicated. 
Got to spend some time w the Cleveland 10 miler girls (well half of them at least)  I discovered my new favorite place....Menchie's Ice Cream.  Ya, all I can say is WOW.  I have to go back, since well, there were too many choices.
Also got to play hangman w/an 8 year old.  Been awhile since I've played that game....Not sure how many words or phrases we went through, but for the last word I got a long one.  I asked what type of word is it and her response...It's an awkward word that hasn't been invented yet.  Needless to say I lost.  Oh, and the word....squaregulopigus

In my "down time" from being active and working out, I decided to do something outside the box for me.  I started a program from Rex Crain called the 90 day life lift.  Rex is an amazing public speaker, life coach and just an all around inspirational, positive person.  On his site, he put that his mission "is to unearth the true treasure in each and every human heart; to release and unleash the dreamer in us all!" 
I've pretty much learned over the past few years alot about myself but I tend to get complacent and stuck at times.  I'm not the type of person to brag or boast or even tell people what I'm doing. (like I said, starting the blog was a new one....lol)  But in the last few weeks, my eyes have been opened and not always for the good.  It makes me wish I could go back in time.  Its weird, while I didn't think it would be easy, I didn't think it would be this hard.  The emails/challenges, some days I have to take a hard look at who I am or what I've done or who I have become and I don't like it.  But only I can do something about it.  Only I can change, if that's what I want.  I'm tired of being stuck....They say if you stop learning, you stop living.  Well, I'm not done living  :-)

Should be an exciting weekend....well, not so much exciting, but rather hopeful....Here's to pain free walking.  It also will be fun to finally not hear "here comes peg leg" when I am walking down the hall at work.....LOL

Until next time....