July 8, 2013 by Darlene

Broken Foot – Weeks 4 & 5

Many people are blaming me for the weather. It has rained almost every day +since I broke my foot. (Sorry no sympathy here).

So what’s new in my exciting life?

a girls learns some secrets while her sister, a famous runner, lies in a coma

Finished reading The Kitchen House, While My Sister Sleeps, Firefly Lane. (Does reading sad books make you feel better when you are depressed??) Started The Paris Wife & Revenge Wears Prada.
Finished watching PBS’ Call the Mid-Wife season 1 and started season 2. (not as great as Downton Abbey but the characters do grow on you)
Actually watched a live TV show (that never happens thanks to DVR and ipad apps) – America’s Got Talent – highlight: an amazing singing trio who met online and performed for the 1st time on the show – Anyone see it?
Found out that my foot is not completely healed but got permission to wear real shoes, use a stationary bike and treadmill.
Won a $50 gift certificate at work (to a local restaurant)
Went out to dinner at a new neighborhood buffet and there was a power failure (don’t really like buffets…you eat too much because you feel that you have to get your money’s worth)
Started knitting again – Socks – what else?
Used the stationary bike TWICE at work and I sweat (yes and that is huge.)
Walked to Starbucks during a work break (yes, walked all the way across the street)

green tea frappuccino – yum! – I got a skinny one

Spent 4 days on Lake George — picnicked with friends on the 4th

watched the fireworks from our boat at the marina

the weather was HOT and steamy with a shower & rainbow almost everyday

Rode on ours friends’ pontoon

cooled off in the several bays (even figured out how to get up the boat ladder with one foot)

slept on our boat and saw some awesome sunrises

ended the weekend with some lakeside dining

Happy Running! Did you do anything fun this past weekend? Like run?

July 7, 2013 by Darlene

Early X-Rays

At my last visit to the ortho, I was told to come back for x-rays in FOUR weeks.

That’s 8 weeks and 2 days after my injury…

I was depressed because my foot felt fine. I had been walking on it without pain… in regular shoes…without the use of crutches.

I have used the stationary bike at work.

I have even walked on the treadmill.

I was hoping for a green light at 6 weeks at the latest.

It is only two weeks later but when you want you want to run a half marathon Oct 13, every day counts.

My hubby and my non-running friends think I am neurotic!! They say: “Just relax and let it heal. What’s the rush?”

However, I could only get an appointment with my doctor (who was either busy or on vacation) for July 17 or Aug 19.

July 17 is only 2 weeks later not 4 but AUGUST 19 seems light years away.

The decision was difficult.

I didn’t want to get the x-rays early and not be healed yet but then again I didn’t want to wait til August 19. If I was healed before that, I wouldn’t know it and I don’t want to run until I get the go ahead. (You may be thinking, when has that stopped her?)

You have to remember the lack of pain factor. So it’s hard for me to know when I can run.

So I am getting my x-rays early.

If I am not healed, well, then nothing is lost. I’ll come back on Aug 19 for x-rays #6. (But if I have to wait…I don’t guarantee that I won’t be running…)

Happy Running! Are you more patient than I am with an injury?

July 3, 2013 by Darlene

Wordy Wednesday – Happiness

Yeah, I have been depressed about not being able to run, walk, play tennis, bike, do yoga and go boating.

I am trying not to complain at all (or maybe “not so much”)

This was a comment on one of my whiney FB posts:

Darlene I am so sorry you are still enduring all of this. I hope it is not too painful and you’re up and at ’em soon… makes me sad that you are tied down like this ~ I know how much you love to move!!!

This is from a former co-worker who has Cystic Fibrosis. She is in and out of the hospital. Tied to an IV most of the time. Can hardly ever leave the house. Needs a lung transplant if she wants to live much longer. But she always has a smile on her face and enjoys every day that she is still alive.

So I am thankful that:

I have 4 days off from work
I can walk/limp/shuffle without crutches
I am not in any pain
I have great friends
My hubby sticks by me through ALL my ups and downs
I have a job and co-workers that I like
I have a boat on Lake George
I know that I will run and play tennis again

celebrating July 4th with friends (on Log Bay Is#3)

I will again celebrate the holiday on Lake George. Moving around will be more difficult than past years but I’ll try not to complain.

Happy Running! What are you most thankful for?

July 2, 2013 by Darlene

X-rays #4

Yesterday I went back to my ortho for the third time for more x-rays on my broken foot (The 1st set of x-rays was done at urgent care).

Since the last visit, I have been walking on my foot (with the flat shoe) without the crutches. I even tried walking a bit in a sneaker.

So here’s what he had to say:

The fracture hasn’t moved so it appears to healing normally.
Come back in 4 weeks for more x-rays.

Of course, you realize that this doc has to be coaxed into conversation:

He then asked if I have tried putting weight on my foot. It was then that I admitted to not using my crutches and walking on it. I don’t think this made him very happy and he replied that I was lucky that the fracture hadn’t moved.

I then added that it didn’t even hurt if I wore a regular shoe.

He said that a fracture of this type should hurt so I am either blocking out the pain or have a high tolerance for pain.

So now I have strict orders to NOT put stress on it, take it easy… NO RUNNING, of course.

I asked if he thinks that it will be healed in 4 weeks and he said: “We’ll see in four weeks.”

stock-photo-young-doctor-writing-notes-and-prescriptions-84986635

I am sure that he writing that “This crazy lady is not feeling any pain because she thinks I will let her run sooner.” But it really doesn’t hurt. I swear.

So here’s what I can do for the next 4 weeks:

Start wearing a regular sneaker (& use crutch for support.)
I can swim (but I don’t swim or have access to a pool.)
In a week or so, I can use a stationary bike.
After that, I can try walking on a treadmill.
And then maybe, walk around the neighborhood.

So to say that I am VERY depressed is to say the least.

2 of the same shoes!!

My foot feels fine but I don’t want to jeopardize my recovery.

How can I be patient?

Happy Running!

July 1, 2013 by Darlene

Mid-Year Report Card

We’re halfway through 2013 so it is a good time to take a look at those goals to see how I am doing.

I must say that things were looking up until June 1.

already more miles than all of 2012

Run 3-4 times a week ALL YEAR (use the treadmill when it is too cold or slippery or raining outside)- YES, until June 1.

even ran 3 times while on vacation

Continue fitting in tennis and yoga at least once a week (as cross-training) – Yes, until June 1.

Finish my 5K races under 30 minutes and not stress about a PR (though getting one would be super!) – Sure I stressed but finished Ice Breaker, Lake George, Mother’s Day and the Freihofer’s all under 30 min.

Ice breaker 5k – 28:47

Get an Age Group award (in May I will be entering a new AG!!) – Yes, in the correct AG, I finished 1st at Lake George 5K and 1st in my new AG at the Mother’s Day 5K.

Lake George 5K – 1st in 50-59

Mother’s Day 5K – finished 1st in 60-69

PR in a 10K race (I have only one injured 10K under my belt.) – Yes, HMRRC #3

Run a 10 mile race (the one from Lake George to Bolton Landing is on my bucket List) – Nope (broke my foot on June 1).
Run at least one half marathon (a spring and a fall one) – Yes, I ran the Sarasota Half Marathon in March (the fall one may not happen.)

Run at least 12 races (one per month, if possible) – Yes, at least one per month and 11 total races already!! (However, there will probably be no races in July and August 😦 I hope to resume racing in September.)

at least I am smiling! (J. Berkeley photo)

one of 3 April races

Run a race in another state – Yes, I ran in Florida (Vermont was planned for next month but that one is doubtful)

Florida racing

Run a NEW race (hopefully one in NYC) – Yes, I’ve run 5 new ones so far – Hmrrc #3 & #5, Ice Breaker 5K, Lake George 5K, Mother’s Day 5k, ( NYC hopefully next year)

Mother’s Day 5K in Schenectady

Listen to my body and slow down when necessary (In other words, do not get injured…) – I broke my foot but I cannot blame overuse on that one.
Continue blogging regularly (to keep track of miles, as a motivator, to meet new runners…) – YES!

So I think I did pretty well during my 5 healthy months.

Let’s hope my foot heals quickly and I can add more miles and races during the rest of the year.

Happy Running! How has your 2013 been?