February 21, 2012 by Darlene

Tuesday Tidbits – Mostly Good (and Some Bad)

Back at work after a 3- day weekend.

Here’s a bulleted update of the weekend’s GOOD stuff:

Friday & Saturday, I walked with one crutch with the boot.
I went to a birthday party for a good friend Friday night.
Saturday I drove myself to my hair appt and then bought socks at Olympia Sports (had a $10 gift card to use)
Saturday night we went to the movies – If you haven’t seen Hugo, you must! It was 3D, took place in Paris and had a lot of messages in the story. Go see it!
Love this view from the train station!

Sunday am, the hubby & I went wheelchair grocery shopping – not fun but necessary
Sunday afternoon, I got in my car and just drove (It was a beautiful sunny day and you know what I wanted to be doing) and ended up in Bolton Landing. I couldn’t do much when I got there so I sat on the beach and then had a root beer float which made me feel better for the moment.

Can you believe that it is 40 degrees in February?

Monday, my hubby went to work so I had the whole day to myself (and you know what I wanted to be doing). But I did some knitting and cooking and cleaning.
my lst sock so far but I haven't got to the hard part.

Monday afternoon I went to see my mentee Amandaand we went out to iHOP for lunch (did not eat healthy!). We chatted for seveal hours catching up.
Amanda & Matthew (who is almost 5 mos)

Last night, I had to listen to a webinar as part on my training to work at the NYS Bar Exam next week.

Now the Bad:

My independence got the best of me. I walked on my boot Friday & Saturday. By the end of the movie Sat nite, not having my foot elevated all day made so swollen that I could no longer put weight on it. It was painful all day Sunday & Monday. Not fun at all.

I was planning on stopping at the outlets in Lake George on Sunday but I couldn’t walk with one crutch 😦 So sad.

Last night I woke up with my ankle throbbing! Ouch!

Today, I drove myself to work and it feels much better.

Back to baby steps!

I am keeping my leg elevated when I can and I am using my crutch for support. This walking thing is harder than I thought.

Tomorrow I start PT…pretty scary trying to fit my FAT ankle into some kind of sneaker…

Happy Running! Did you enjoy your long weekend?

February 20, 2012 by Darlene

Finally something positive…

I’ve read every website, blog, forum and comment regarding broken ankles. They’re all doom and gloom. They mostly talk about pain and limping for years and how you’re never be the same. My hubby tells me to stop reading them.

But I finally found a positive comment related to running:

Just thought I’d add a little positivity to hopefully encourage some of you who are a bit down if you’re reading this whilst injured! I broke my left ankle / leg in 3 places, with a section of my ankle completely broken away from the leg having to be screwed back in. This was in November 2010. I had ORIF surgery as many of you have had to have titanium screws / pins put in before being in cast for a couple of months. When I first started physio directly after having the cast removed I had not a cm of movement. Gradually after several sessions of physio the situation improved slowly, and then more quickly. I was told I didn’t need any more physio after 10 weeks as I’d surpassed what they could do. I’ve always been a runner and set my sights on completing a 10k in June 2011 (7 months after my surgery). I was given the go ahead to start light training at the end of April and gradually and carefully built it up, successfully completing the 10k in 52 minutes. The joint felt good (although I was still being very careful), and believe it or not, between June and November (from 7 months until 12 months post op) I managed to successfully complete a 5k, ten 10k’s and two half-marathons. How I could do this? Just by following what the doctors and physiotherapists said to the letter and being slow and patient with my own therapy. It’s still only 13 months since my surgery and I feel fantastic. I’m in my 30′s, so not that young, though not too old. If I can do it, there is no reason that all of you can’t do it too! Good luck all!!

It looks like this runner started training 5 months after ankle surgery. I only broke two bones (not 3) and did not have a cast. But I am older. So are we even??

Anyway, I am confident that I will run a race before the end of 2012 – a 5k, maybe a 10k and who knows maybe a half marathon!! There you have it. I am being positive!

Happy Running! Do you have doubts about what you can do? Or are you a positive person?

February 19, 2012 by Darlene

Half Marathons (in my dreams)

Last year, I ran FIVE Half Marathons!!

2nd

I got hooked on this long distance thing so would probably have done the same this year barring any injury.

Injury struck big time.

So here are my dream events for 2012:

2-19-12 – Half at the Hamptons – TODAY!!!!
4-7-12 – Race the Runaways Half Marathon (sorta for fun) or 4-29-12 Lake George Half again
6-17-12 – New Paltz Challenge Half (my serious race)
9-22-10 – Adirondack Half (just for fun)
10-7-12 – Diva Half (in my home town) or Hudson-Mohawk Half (area race with friends)

If any of you are running these halfs, think of me. I am there IN SPIRIT!! (and cheering you on!)

Happy Running!

February 18, 2012 by Darlene

Why I Love Running

I meant to write this on Valentine’s Day but for the last 7 weeks I have been kinda depressed. I can’t run and I don’t know if I will again. But I did run and I do ❤ running so here’s my list (in no particular order):

the new friends I have made
guilt-free carb-loading (before & after a run or race)
the best way to end a bad day (or start off a tough day)
an excuse to shop – buy new running clothes, shoes, gear, etc.
setting your own goals (run your “own” race)
how you feel when crossing the finish line in a race
feeling healthy & active & alive
sense of pride & accomplishment (I’m 58 and running half marathons!!)
being alone and getting lost in one’s own thoughts
the bling 🙂

Happy Running! Anything to add about why you love running?

February 17, 2012 by Darlene

New Running Blog Database

Thanks to Blogger 2SlowforBoston for this new tool he created. According to 2Slow, it can be used for the following and MORE:

Submit blogs for you or others to find and reference.

Browse running blogs for fun or curiosity.

Find that new person to stalk. Just be ready to go to jail.

Sort blog list by State, City, or Blog Title.

Search for blogs by specific States, Blog Title, or Blog Author.

Find other bloggers in your area.

Find other bloggers at your race or vacation destination.

Cross reference blog authors to their blog’s title, and vice versa.

Get available email addresses.

Find your soul mate…

I, of course, had to add my blog. And if yours isn’t there, you should add it. Click HERE to find out.

you have to use blogger to automatically have a profile pic shown

But if you email 2Slow, he will add one:

Happy Running? Will this database be useful to you?

February 16, 2012 by Darlene

TTT: The Magic 7

1. Still trying to stay sane and not exercising:

Fri. Mah Jongg game (won $2.40 on one hand…my high so far)
wheelchair trip to the mall (not too exciting…just bought some greeting cards)
made beef stew & chicken soup (cooking kills time)
Dr’s visit on Monday & early Valentine’s Day dinner
Started back to work FULL-TIME on Tuesday!!!
Got wool to start knitting socks (This may be too advanced for me??)

2. Monday I went back to the doctor for another round of xrays. Bones are healed. Now have to start going to PT and learn to put weight on it gradually… eventually walk.

not my x-rays but the same as mine - spiral fracture of the fibula & transverse fracture of the medial malleolus/tibia

3. I drove my car! I know this doesn’t sound exciting but it was. 🙂

Happy Running! So cheer me up. What are you training for??

February 15, 2012 by Darlene

Wordless Wednesday and 2 Winners

2 feet on the ground for the lst time since Dec 29

Ok so I was holding on and I can’t move without crutches. Baby steps!!

And the winners of The Ultimate Beginner’s Running Guide are….

rachel @ run50states and vtimber

Please send me your e-mail addresses so I can contact the author and he will send your the book.

Happy Running! Comment here if you want the 3rd copy of this book!

February 14, 2012 by Darlene

Valentine’s Day and the Healed Bones

My hubby and I got our Valentine’s Day gift a day early.

Yesterday I went to the orthopedist for my 6 week check-up. They took x-rays. The Dr. looked and said “I don’t like one of them and I need another.” My heart sank!!! So I got another x-ray. Then he said: LOOKS GREAT!! I can’t even see where you broke them!!” (Apparently my hardware blocked his view of the bone so they needed another angle.)

So what does this mean??

It means that I can start gradually putting weight on it with the boot & crutches…gradually putting weight on the boot without the crutches holding on to furniture…gradually walking with the boot…gradually walking with crutches without the boot…gradually walking with one crutch…gradually limping holding to furniture…gradually walking without crutches!!!

Yeah. Sounds easy? NOT!! Right now I can’t do anything because I can’t bend or move my foot enough. But it will come. Little by little. I have my first PT appointment next Wed!

Of course I asked the Dr. if I will be able to run. He said YES!! But not for a while!!!!

I’m ok with that!

So my hubby & I went out to dinner to celebrate.

Bloody Mary, heart bracelet & my hubby’s wedding ring. Cool, huh?

The next four weeks will test my strength and patience. Baby steps!!! Next ortho appt is March 12. Hope I will be walking (limping) by then!!!

Happy Running! Did you do anything special to celebrate Valentine’s Day?

February 13, 2012 by Darlene

Getting Inspired by Adele

I liked Adele before last night but after 60 minutes and the Grammys, I am really a fan.

Imagine having to have surgery and wonder if you will be able to do what your career depends on. I’m sure you know Adele was a singer and recently had vocal cord surgery. Singing was not only her life but her livelihood. She would not only have to survive the surgery, but she would have to be the same as before (or maybe better.)

After hearing her perform last night, it is clear from the standing ovation that Adele is back! Her voice is still amazing!!

If you missed it, click HERE!

So in the scheme of things, ankle surgery is not as serious as vocal cord surgery. My livelihood does not depend on being able to run and play tennis. Even if I do those again and it is not at the same level, it’s ok. I can do them at any level I choose.

I was pretty depressed yesterday. Feeling sorry for myself…sitting on the couch (one more night)! While watching the Grammys my mood picked up. It may have been the music or maybe it was Adele’s remarkable recovery.

Congrats Adele! (I added some of your songs to my playlist…can’t wait to run listening to them..)

Happy Running! Did you watch the Grammys? (Don’t forget my giveaway which ends today!)

February 10, 2012 by Darlene

Friday Ramblings

Quote from Runner’s World:

“I spent four weeks in total numbness. Six months later, I started running. I could only do ten minutes at a time, but I kept going because I knew that running would get me my life back.” — Ryon Lane, who shattered his C4 vertebra in a 2008 diving accident

My injury is not as bad as some….though not runnning is frustrating. Give me patience until I can get my life back!