injury

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Wordless Wednesday

Things I still can do:

EAT

KNIT (my first hat)

DREAM (Jan 2013)

Happy Running!

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Hope and 2 Anniversaries

Today I cannot walk.  Today I cannot run.  Eventually I will walk.  Evenutally I will run.

1 year ago today, I ran my FIRST HALF MARATHON!!! 

Half in Naples, Florida

I had doubts about my ability to do it but I gave it a shot even though my longest race before that was a 5K.  And I did it.  I also ran 4 more during last year.   And I hope to run another in the future.  Boy am I glad, that I took on this challenge!!!

13 years ago, I married my current hubby.

I also had doubts since both of us had been married before.  Both marriages ended poorly.  But we did it.  And I couldn’t get through this injury without him!  I am glad that I took on this challenge too!

Happy Running!  What challenges have you taken on that have changed your life?

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When there’s will, there’s a way…

lg gang 12-09

Last night, there was a going away party for two of our best friends, Mary Ann & Bob.  They are moving to Florida!  I made them a photo album (of course) and I REALLY wanted to attend.

They chose Brown’s Brew Pub and made reservations for 20.  I called the restaurant to make sure that it was handicap-accessible and they told me NO, the room was upstairs and there were about 30 stairs!!!!!!!!!!!!

How would this be possible for me???  I was planning on going in a wheel chair so I could keep my leg elevated. Would I be able to hop up all those stairs???????

I crutched my way from the parking lot to the restaurant. Then friends to the rescue!!!  Ross & Pat, the youngest men in the group practically carried me up the stairs.

Ross with MaryAnn

 

Kathi with Bob

So it was fun to see my friends and get out of the house. My photo book was a hit! They loved it!!!

Next up…a visit to work on Thursday!

Happy Running! It’s cold here!  Are you enjoying any outdoor runs?

 

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My Beautiful Ankle

A friend posted this on my FB status:

When the Japanese mend broken objects, they aggrandize the damage by filling the cracks with gold. They believe when something is damaged and has more history, it becomes more beautiful. Looking forward to seeing your beautiful ankle!

Week 2 Update:

I have gotten gifts, cards and lots of visitors. Everyday a different friend has brought me over lunch. I feel “special.”

I even learned to knit.  I finished several e-books and Catching Fire.  My favorite activity is still reading blogs and playing Scrabble on my iPad.

I went to the doctor for my Post-Op visit.  They took off my splint and removed all the staples. I took photos just so I can see the progress as it heals.  I was shocked at how long the incision was on the left side (fibula) and how swollen the right side was (malleolus).

They took x-rays and the doctors said it looked good.   He made no promises but said that they did the best they could.  I asked lots of questions and got no definitive answer except that it will be painful and swollen for 9-12 months. YIKES!!!!

(Epic comeback to running may have to wait until 2013!)

He put on a brace instead of a cast.  So I can take it off to shower.  Some good news, at least.

I have to keep it elevated or it will swell.  I cannot put any weight on it.  Next appt is Feb 13.  More x-rays and then…. Who knows?  If it is healing, I may be able to start putting weight on it.

So I’m off from work for the next 4 weeks or so. I can go on Disability but I hate sitting home.  My hubby & I are trying to figure how I can work…possibly having him drive me to & from work and me sitting at my desk in a wheelchair with my leg elevated.

We’ll see…

Happy Running! Good luck this Sunday to my friend Mary running 13.1 in LA and Rebecca in Naples! 

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Wordless Wednesday

before

 

after

 
 
 

now and for the next 8 weeks

 
 

I decided not to gross you out with pictures of my ankle without the brace & sock on.

Happy Running! Not running but following your blogs so keep them up!

 

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Running Blogger No More?

So what does a runner post about on her RUNNING blog when she cannot run???

I thought about changing it to the “Broken Ankle Blog.” But, you wouldn’t believe how many there are?  I’ve read quite a few and they are depressing though probably therapeutic for the blogger.  Do you really want to see gross photos of my ankle as it heals or hear about all of the difficulties involved in being immobile??

I could change it to the “Recovering Runner Blog.” There are quite a few of those but every runner is different.  Every injury is different.  Everyone returns to running at a different pace. We all know that runners are impatient and healing will seem SLOW and there will be pain and setbacks.

So I decided to continue THIS blog.  I will write to keep my readers (if any continue to follow me) informed on my healing progress.  As I heal, I hope the things I do and learn about injuries like this and running will be helpful to others. I will post about running-related things and continue to support my running friends and bloggers as they run, train and race.

I may be depressed (all the time) but my posts will not be!

Happy Running! Thanks for all your “speedy healing wishes”!

 

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One Week Anniversary

the "splint" (not mine but it looks the same)

Yes, it’s been a LONG week since I clumsily slipped avoiding the ice while running. 

Here’s a short summary:

fall…pain…ambulance…pain…ER…xrays..2 broken bones in ankle…put bones back in place…xray..try again…xray…wrap…pain meds…night 1 in hospital…anesthesia…surgery…plate…2 pins…splint…pain meds… scratched cornea…night 2 in hospital…pain meds…xray…go home with crutches…leg elevated & iced for TWO WEEKS…helpless/helpful hubby…nauscea …friends bringing food…UTI…off pain meds…constipation… 2 nites sleeping on the couch downstairs…dragging myself up 13 stairs to sleep in a bed…insomnia…dragging myself down 13 stairs to spend the whole day in a recliner…books…Internet…boredom…depression.

Yup, that about sums it up. I am enjoying 2012 so far.

Enough of the sarcasm.  I am trying to focus on the positive.  Here goes nothing:

  • getting a lot of sympathy
  • seeing friends I never have time for
  • hubby is learning after 13 years where things are located
  • not feeling guilty about not cleaning or cooking
  • no stress from my job
  • can go to bed whenever I want and sleep til whenever I want
  • don’t have to go outside in the cold (It is cold here!)
  • don’t have to worry about what to wear
  • don’t have to worry about how I look
  • saving money on gas – not going anywhere
  • getting refunds on yoga, tennis, New Year’s Eve – $$$
  • saving money by not signing up for any races
  • expensive running shoes will last longer when not using them

Not bad!  Makes you want to break your ankle, right?

I was going to try and list the sucky things but they are obvious: immobile, sick, dependent, pain, the unknown, lack of exercise, boredom, depression and many many many more.

I am determined to feel like the picture above!! It may take 6 months…a year…2 years…but I WILL HEAL!!

Happy Running!  I am your cheerleader as I heal!

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Then It Happened…

my last run of 2011

I was having a great run on a beautiful day.  The day before my friend was trying to talk me into running  a marathon. I was thinking about my plans for 2012 and which half marathons to register for.

I saw a patch of ice.  I had walked around it on the way out and so I walked around it again on the way back.  This time, my foot got caught in the mud and my ankle twisted, I fell and landed on my ankle.  I heard it break.  It was hanging sideways…sorry if this grosses you out.

I couldn’t walk.  I was a mile from my car and for some strange reason, I stupidly left my phone in my car.

I started to crawl.  The pain was incredible and I sat down on the path and I prayed that someone would pass by.

They did! A couple from Cali riding bikes. They were great.  They called 911, called my husband, gave me a coat and stayed until the ambulance came.

That was another story.  The path was below the road.  The EMTs wanted me to hop up a ravine to the road using my good foot. 

A better plan was to get me in a wheelchair and roll me to the parking lot where they could then get me on a stretcher.

Finally xrays at the hospital revealed a large bone broken into two (fibia?) and on the other side, medial lateral broken in 2 places.  YIKES!!!

They tried to push it back into place to cast it without surgery (You can imagine how that hurt!) but they then decided that it would heal better if they did surgery the next day.

And they did – one plate on one side and 2 screws on the other…lots of pain meds and lots of pain.

After 2 nights in the hospital, I am home. 

Two weeks of bed rest – ankle elevated with ice and then back to the doctor.  It looks like at least 8 weeks in a cast and then more time in a walking cast and then PT.

In other words, a long time without running, without tennis, without yoga..

I know I will heal.  I will run again.  At least it is not summer. (I am faking optimism here.)

 I have great friends.  FB posts, emails  and texts have made me feel blessed.

They have even brought me over food (my hubby does not cook!)

The Happy Runner dedicated today’s race to me!

Happy Running! Please send me quick healing vibes!!!

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A Recovery Run

getting ready to test the "knee"

Normally you go on a recovery run after a long run.  I decided to do one after a fall.  I  had originally planned a long run today but instead, I went out to see if I still could run.

I decided to go to some place new – the Nisky Bike Trail.  It is similar to the Corning Trail but it is on the Mohawk River rather than the Hudson River.

there's a similiar sign on the Corning Trail

Don’t let the photo fool you, it was COLD!!! In the teens but at least it was sunny!  I added an extra layer to last night’s outfit and I was fine.  Only my face was cold.

near Lock 7

I actually like the Corning Trail better  – it is more scenic.  But this one is very peaceful and a safe (a better part of town) and cleaner (less goose poop).

the peaceful path

Before the “fall” I had wanted to run 8 miles since I ran 7 last weekend.  But I played it safe and ran 5 miles.  (3 last nite + 5 today = 8 anyway)

My knee was still bleeding from my road rash and my palm & elbow were also cut up but actually as far as running, I felt great.  I am so happy.  It could have been worse.  I am lucky!!

the Mohawk River

I had also planned today to take my mentee’s son out for his 5th birthday – McDonald’s and the Lights in the Park but his mom, Amanda was sick.  Instead I went Target (love love Target) and bought them gifts.  I hope to help them move next weekend and celebrate the holiday with them.

Amanda & Richard Xmas 2010

Happy Running! How’s your holiday shopping going?

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2011: The Year of Firsts

I starting running in 2008.  In 2008, 2009 and 2010, I ran A LOT of 5ks!! That’s all I did and yes, I got faster.  I even took about 10 minutes off my time.

But in 2011, I accomplished some FIRSTS:

  • First 4 mile race


Polar Cap 4 miler

  • First 5 mile race


Delmar Dash 5 miler

  • First 15K race


Stockade-athon 15K

  • First half marathon


Naples Half Marathon

  • First destination race


Naples, Florida

  • First race in the rain

 


Lake George Half Marathon 

You might think that I did it in that order (because that would be logical.)  This is the order:

  1. First Half Marathon & first destination race (Jan 2011)
  2. First 4 mile race (Feb 2011)
  3. First 5 mile race (Apr 2011)
  4. First race in the rain (Apr 2011)
  5. First injury (Jun 2011)
  6. First 15k race (Nov 2011)

Happy Running!  What did you do for the first time in 2011?