March 23, 2012 by Darlene

Friday Ramblings

12 week report – still painful walking but PT guy thinks I’m progressing and he keeps upping my training – Wed I did 30 min on the treadmill at 3 mph 12% incline and 10 min on the elliptical (I thought I was going to die!)
I do 45 minutes on the exercise bike at work everyday during lunch (This way I get exercise & catch up on my iPad TV viewing.)
The weather has been incredible and unfortunately it looks like today is the last day before it returns to normal March weather. After work today, I plan on going on my 3rd real bike ride. (I bought a gel seat coverfor my aching butt.)
same trail as Tues.

Yesterday I went for my 5 week hair appt – there’s always someone that comments on my injury & has a horror story – like “my mother didn’t get the hardware taken out right away & she has crippling arthritis” – I hate that!
I’ve been doing my grocery shopping at Target lately (they don’t everything but their sale prices are great and I find things that I can’t anywhere else). My latest fav is:

I tried the pumpkin spice so far and it is delish and cheaper than Starbucks.

I just tried FaceTime for the first time (Skype for macs/ iphone/iPad users). I used it with my friend who just moved to Florida. It was great (almost like being together in the flesh.)
I am looking forward to going to the movies hopefully this weekend:
Katniss in Hunger Games

Happy Running! Are you a Hunger Games fan?

March 21, 2012 by Darlene

Wordless Wednesday – Spring (or is it Summer) has sprung

March 21 & 22, 2012

snowing on March 21, 2011

Happy Running! Are you enjoying an early Spring?

March 20, 2012 by Darlene

Two on Tuesday

I started the day by buying not ONE but TWO pairs of compressions socks. The were 50% off with free shipping at Swaggle.

already have black & white ones, love PINK!

couldn't resist these cool ones

Sounds strange since I am not running but I was told to wear support socks on the left foot to keep the swelling down. And I will be running someday and I am sure I will need (want) these.

I also went on TWO Bike rides. First 40 minutes during lunch on the stationary bike at work and then after work, my hubby (who bought a bike rack yesterday) & I went for a ride on the Corning trail. (Had to do something outside – it was almost 80 degrees!!!!!)

no scenery but I get quality TV watching done - finished Revenge now onto Desperate Housewives

I actually prefer the Nisky trail on the Mohawk River than this one on the Hudson but it is closer.

taken back in October when I was a runner

my hubby & our new (cheap) bike rack

it was so warm out!

Happy Running! Happy first day of spring!

March 19, 2012 by Darlene

Sunday in the Park

Daffodils bloomng early...mine are in the shade but are almost out.

70 degrees in March in the NE?? Unheard of. But the great weather continues…

I started the day at Starbucks with my favorite running buddy.

together for a race in 2010

Then I was heading for work to ride the exercise bike when I remembered that I can ride a real BIKE!!

me on Saturfay but it's the same bike

So I drove home and rode my bike around the neighborhood. (Does anyone’s butt hurt when you ride??) My hubby wants to get a bike rack so I can ride on the bike trails in Niskayuna and Albany.

Then I picked up Amanda and her sons to spend the rest of the day in The Crossings…Boy was it crowded!! Everyone else had the same idea.

Matthew enjoying the swing.

Richard and Matthew on the slide

Amanda & her boys

The day wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Kurver Kreme for soft ice cream.

Amanda's ice cream on the left, my medium on the right

That’s an old photo. But she always gets the Gran Pappy and I get a medium sugar-free vanilla/coffee twist with chocolate sauce or chocolate sprinkles. (Oh to be young again and have that metabolism!!)

So the nice weather continues this week… I plan to use the exercise bike everyday during lunch and ride the real bike after work. PT continues today and Wed.

Can’t wait to walk…(You thought I was going to say run..ha ha!)

Happy Running! Enjoy your training!

March 17, 2012 by Darlene

Bikin’ Of the Green

friends at the Runnin' of the Green race 2012 (Thanks AW, I stole your FB pic)

Nope I’m not there!

I ran this race last year. It was cold & I think there was snow on the ground.

Runnin of the Green 4 miler 2011

This year as you can see in the photo, it was warm enough to run in shorts!!

So what do you do when you are depressed?? You shop and I did. I bought more yarn to make socks and I bought 2 pairs of pants (Since I can’t wear heels, most of my pants are too long!)

my lst pair of knitted socks

Then I drove to work to ride the exercise bike & walk on the treadmill there. When I was done, I rewarded myself with a Starbucks drink.

green tea frappuccino

I got home to find that my hubby had fixed my old bike…I have not ridden a bike in at least 13 years and this bike in about 30 years old!!

The weather was gorgeous and I was so happy to do something outside!! The question was — could I ride a bike??

I must admit it wasn’t easy. It was hard to get on since my left ankle is weak and then it was hard to start pedaling. I also had to get over the fear that I might fall or wouldn’t be able to stop.

After a few circles of our cul-de-sac, I decided I was ready for the big time.

I talked my hubby into taking out his new bike (the one I won in a raffle) and we drove to the Nisky Bike Path.

That was where I fell and broke my ankle 11 weeks ago!

getting ready to ride...even remembered to wear a green shirt

My hubby riding on the trail

warm outside but not green yet

We rode about a mile and then turned around. There were a lot of joggers and I was drooling with jealousy.

It was nice to be outside. And if I couldn’t be Runnin”, I am glad that I was able to be Bikin’.

Happy Running! How did you celebrate St. Patty’s Day?

March 15, 2012 by Darlene

First Sweat

Sorry Ali on the Run, someone stole your tee-shirt

Let’s just say that I hardly sweat. That means it takes a lot to get me to sweat. I love the heat!! I love the sun!

Yesterday at PT, PT guy J made me work hard. After an hour of many machines & exercises, he made me do 5 minutes on the ellipical and 6 minutes on the treadmill (2 mph & 10% incline).

Maybe I was overdressed but I SWEAT!!!

Yup, first sweat in 11 weeks!!

Happy Running!

March 13, 2012 by Darlene

All’s Well That Ends Well

I gave him two...

Yesterday I went for my 10 week check-up. Things started poorly and I started to get fearful about the results of my visit.

I left work early to go to my orthopedic and they had no record of my appointment anywhere in the computer. Luckily, I had my appt card so they agreed to squeeze me in.
Finally the nurse came to get me in the waiting room and said in a nasty tone, “Where are your crutches?” I said that I didn’t need them. Then she asked, “Where is your boot?” I said that I wasn’t wearing it any more. She looked at my folder and said nothing.
When the doctor came in, he said “Are we here to talk about your 12 week removal of the screws?” I replied in a shocked tone, “I don’t think so…but you tell me.”
Then he said, you need to go get x-rays. And the nurse escorted me to the x-ray area where I got x-rays.
The nurse then came back and said “Why don’t you hobble back to the examination room and wait for the doctor.” Let’s just say I was trying to impress them with my best non-limping walk… (Did she have to say “hobble?”)

Thank God, things improved after that.

The doctor looked at my x-rays and realized that he didn’t put in the long cross screws like he usually does and I don’t need them taken out at 12 weeks – PHEW!
He said that everything looks great – the bones, ligaments, tendons, cartilage spaces, etc, etc.
We talked about how I was doing & what I was doing… he said the swelling was normal and it will be swollen for a year. He recommended wearing support stockings, elevation, icing and NOT OVER DOING!
He said the range of motion will come back and that he was impressed on how well I was doing…much better than he expected at this point…better than most with this injury! YAY!
He cautioned me not to rush things (Patience is not my strong suit.) and stay out of the sun (SPF 80-100) and massage the incisions to help the scarring and nerve endings rebuild.
He wrote a script for 4 more weeks of PT cuz I said it helped.
He asked what the PT guy thought… I said that he was encouraged with the degree of side to side range of motion (which he thought would not come back this quickly) but that I couldn’t run for 6 months.
Here’s the good part. The doctor said, “You won’t have to wait that long… Start cranking up that treadmill…but don’t run outside for a while yet.”

Next visit is in 6 weeks. If those x-rays are good, he’ll release me until 9 months out when he’ll decide if all the hardware needs to come out.

I’m trying not to get too excited but I swear my ankle has more movement today… (probably in my head)

Happy Running!

March 12, 2012 by Darlene

Staying Positive…Ain’t Easy

Look at this week’s weather!

Perfect for outdoor activities, right?

But I cannot walk, bike, play tennis or run!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I am DEPRESSED!!!!!

I am trying to stay positive…

I have been riding the exercise bike everyday for 20 minutes (catching up on the show Revenge). I even drove to work on Sat & Sun to do this. (Exercise makes me happy.)
I have been “walking” on the treadmill everyday as well.
I have been stretching, icing etc. as per PT advice.
I have been knitting (almost done with sock #2 and bought wool for two more pairs)
pretty colors on sale = happiness
I went grocery shopping by myself.
I have hit up Marshalls several times (it’s not the mall but they have shopping carts/walkers) and bought many cute tops.
inexpensive cool tops = happiness

I went out to dinner with friends at my favorite restaurant.
creme brulee = happiness

However, every time, I get in my car, I see someone running and those negative thoughts creep in. Everytime, I go online, I read about my friends running, playing tennis and training for a marathon, those darn negative thoughts come back.

I
NEED

I am improving each day.
A broken ankle is not a fatal disease.
6 months isn’t forever.

Today I go back to my orthopedic doctor. Hopefully nothing is wrong with my hardware and bone healing and he will release me to the care of my PT.

So my plans include:

but it would be OK if the weather weren't so nice(Sorry runners)

as I work total toward a FULL recovery. This means that I will walk without a limp, I will do yoga, I will run and I will play tennis.

Of course, there will be:

But there are always challenges in life. It will make me stronger. (Gulp!)

And finally:

Stick with me as I vent. Writing things down helps me believe it!

Happy Running!

March 8, 2012 by Darlene

3 Things Thursday at 10 weeks

Almost the weekend…

1. Last Thursday, I had a snow day. Today it is in the 60s…Crazy weather!!

3-8-12

2. And I am dying to do something outdoors… so I hobbled to Starbucks (it’s across the street from where I work though it felt like walking miles). It was worth it!

green tea frappuccino - yum!

3. 10 weeks from here:

elevated & iced 24/7

to here:

walking on the treadmill

A side note about the treadmill – After work on Tuesday, I planned to use the exercise bike at work but I couldn’t figure out how to turn it on (Seriously!) so I decided to try walking on the treadmill…20 minutes at 1.5 mph…it’s a start! (Later I asked someone and found out that there is no on/off switch. You just get on and start pedaling…duh!)

Happy Running!