Saturday, June 28, 2008
Patience is a virtue
A few days of walking and no problems or pains in the ankle. The chiropractor and I talked about returning to running. We agreed I'd come in for therapy a few more times this week and walk 2 miles or more several times this week. If all continues to go well, I can try to run a mile next Monday, July 7. That'll be almost 4 weeks since I saw the orthopod and he wanted me to wait 4 weeks, so close enough. He's the one who set the 1 mile limit per run for the first week. I can almost feel my feethitting the pavement. I can hardly wait -- but wait I will. No early tries and setbacks. I will be patient. I will be patient. I will be patient.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Walk a mile in my shoes
The chiropractor gave me the go-ahead to walk one mile on Monday, so I did. She warned me that if my ankle hurt the next day, I should back down to a half mile. I walked last night and it felt fine and no problems today. Woo-hoo.
I almost walked another mile today, but I'm trying so hard to take things slowly and not mess up my progress. So it's another mile tomorrow. If I wake Thursday with no pain, I'll walk another mile, and then it's another visit to the chiropractor on Friday.
She is surprised with how quickly the bone tenderness is healing. I'm just grateful. Looks like she may OK yoga for this weekend. I would love to try to run a mile next week, but I'll probably wait one more week to hit my 4 weeks like the orthopod said. No use is setting myself back.
Besides missing the endorphin release and the calorie burn, not running for the last 2.5 weeks has been tough because we have had low humidity and really nice running temps for the first time in years for this time of year. Looks like the heat and humidity return starting later this week in plenty of time for my return to running.
I almost walked another mile today, but I'm trying so hard to take things slowly and not mess up my progress. So it's another mile tomorrow. If I wake Thursday with no pain, I'll walk another mile, and then it's another visit to the chiropractor on Friday.
She is surprised with how quickly the bone tenderness is healing. I'm just grateful. Looks like she may OK yoga for this weekend. I would love to try to run a mile next week, but I'll probably wait one more week to hit my 4 weeks like the orthopod said. No use is setting myself back.
Besides missing the endorphin release and the calorie burn, not running for the last 2.5 weeks has been tough because we have had low humidity and really nice running temps for the first time in years for this time of year. Looks like the heat and humidity return starting later this week in plenty of time for my return to running.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Running -- take me away
The lack of endorphins from not running is starting to really bug me. But I have to admit I am getting a ton of things done around the house. Last summer, we let the house go completely because of a health issue that needed our full attention. This summer things are better. But the lack of maintenance last year has made this year that much harder.
Last weekend we worked on the deck, all 500 square feet of it -- pressure washing, cleaning, scrubbing and sealing. This morning, my husband and I actually began yardwork that should have been done in early May, but after my mom died in April, I just wasn't in the mood. Not that I'm ever in the mood for yardwork.
A few years ago, my husband went through a period where he wished he'd been a landscape architect (rather than an Air Force colonel) and decided to make up for lost time on our front and back yards. This landscaping phase resulted in about a 200 percent increase in yard maintenance.
Gardening is one of my least favorite activities. In fact, in my previous house, before I met my husband, I made sure the only plantings were bushes that needed very little care -- and then I hired someone to take care of them.
In two hours, we got all the front bushes trimmed and raked, plus I pulled weeds and weeds and weeds and weeds and (well you get the idea). In just a few hours, we got a good start on the maintenance. I still have about another 6 to 8 hours of maintenance before we're up to speed for the summer, and that doesn't even include all the plantings in the decorative pots.
Oh please, running gods, heal this ankle issue quickly and free me from this summer of hard labor around the house. I promise I'll never whine about blisters, fatigue or chafing ever again.
Last weekend we worked on the deck, all 500 square feet of it -- pressure washing, cleaning, scrubbing and sealing. This morning, my husband and I actually began yardwork that should have been done in early May, but after my mom died in April, I just wasn't in the mood. Not that I'm ever in the mood for yardwork.
A few years ago, my husband went through a period where he wished he'd been a landscape architect (rather than an Air Force colonel) and decided to make up for lost time on our front and back yards. This landscaping phase resulted in about a 200 percent increase in yard maintenance.
Gardening is one of my least favorite activities. In fact, in my previous house, before I met my husband, I made sure the only plantings were bushes that needed very little care -- and then I hired someone to take care of them.
In two hours, we got all the front bushes trimmed and raked, plus I pulled weeds and weeds and weeds and weeds and (well you get the idea). In just a few hours, we got a good start on the maintenance. I still have about another 6 to 8 hours of maintenance before we're up to speed for the summer, and that doesn't even include all the plantings in the decorative pots.
Oh please, running gods, heal this ankle issue quickly and free me from this summer of hard labor around the house. I promise I'll never whine about blisters, fatigue or chafing ever again.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
One hop forward
Today I made real progress on the healing process of the "impending" distal fibular stress fracture. The orthopod told me there were two tests before I could try to run again.
1. Stand on tiptoes without pain
2. The three-hop test
Yesterday, I could stand on my tip toes with no pain. In fact, I walked a few steps on my tiptoes. And today, I tried one of the three hops -- and no pain. Since it's only been 10 days since I saw the doc and he said four weeks with no running, I'm going to take it slow. I'll try more hops tomorrow and then if all goes well, try a 1 mile run on Monday.
1. Stand on tiptoes without pain
2. The three-hop test
Yesterday, I could stand on my tip toes with no pain. In fact, I walked a few steps on my tiptoes. And today, I tried one of the three hops -- and no pain. Since it's only been 10 days since I saw the doc and he said four weeks with no running, I'm going to take it slow. I'll try more hops tomorrow and then if all goes well, try a 1 mile run on Monday.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Keeping in touch
I don't have much to say about running -- since I'm not. Week One of the waiting game is over and my "impending distal fibular stress fracture" does seem to be feeling better. No one really knows how I did it other than an odd landing on a paved asphalt trail near my sister's in Georgia. The swelling is down, so that's good. I haven't heard back from the cardiologist that the orthopod recommended (to better understand my high heart rate when I run). But I'm hoping to hear this week yet and hopefully get in within a week or two.
In the meantime, meaning before I can run again, I've been getting to projects I normally wouldn't. Gene and I worked about 6 hours (so that's 12 total hours) pressure washing the deck, cleaning it and then sealing/staining it. This is one of those jobs I have to get really motivated for. Gene too. That's why it doesn't get done as often as it should (which is only every other year, but still). When we finished, I was stoked. The deck looked fantastic -- almost as good as the day we finished building it.
Since we have usually reseal the deck in August or September (see I told you it takes us a while to get motivated) getting it done in June is a big deal. I was all set for a summer of sitting on the deck with a nice book and eating a few meals outside. The deck needed 24 hours to set -- about 16 hours more than we got before the deluge hit. Rain that was predicted 12 hours earlier than it hit. The next morning we woke to a surprise.
Forget the leopard tights, try a leopard deck. All that work for nothing. I could hardly imagine re-doing it, but if that's what it took, I was ready. I really want to enjoy the deck this summer and I just didn't the leopard look would take as a style. Fortunately as the morning went on, the deck dried and looks fine. Whew! I said I would re-do the deck, but the idea was pretty sickening. We still want to apply one more coat of sealer and then we're good to go.
Other than that I've been enjoying a visit with my sister and one of my nephews who came to be with my dad for Father's Day (the first without my mom).
In the meantime, meaning before I can run again, I've been getting to projects I normally wouldn't. Gene and I worked about 6 hours (so that's 12 total hours) pressure washing the deck, cleaning it and then sealing/staining it. This is one of those jobs I have to get really motivated for. Gene too. That's why it doesn't get done as often as it should (which is only every other year, but still). When we finished, I was stoked. The deck looked fantastic -- almost as good as the day we finished building it.
Since we have usually reseal the deck in August or September (see I told you it takes us a while to get motivated) getting it done in June is a big deal. I was all set for a summer of sitting on the deck with a nice book and eating a few meals outside. The deck needed 24 hours to set -- about 16 hours more than we got before the deluge hit. Rain that was predicted 12 hours earlier than it hit. The next morning we woke to a surprise.
Forget the leopard tights, try a leopard deck. All that work for nothing. I could hardly imagine re-doing it, but if that's what it took, I was ready. I really want to enjoy the deck this summer and I just didn't the leopard look would take as a style. Fortunately as the morning went on, the deck dried and looks fine. Whew! I said I would re-do the deck, but the idea was pretty sickening. We still want to apply one more coat of sealer and then we're good to go.
Other than that I've been enjoying a visit with my sister and one of my nephews who came to be with my dad for Father's Day (the first without my mom).
Friday, June 13, 2008
Impending distal fibular stress fracture
Good news -- no ankle fracture. Bad news -- no running for 2 to 4 weeks.
My ankle isn't fractured -- yet. But it's "impending." In fact, it's an impedning distal fibular stress fracture, according to the orthopod. All this means is that running on it some more could cause it to actual splinter. I think the doc was suprised it wasn't fractured considering my yelps and jumping off the table a few inches every time he touched a certain spot on my ankle.
Normally, I would be VERY upset with this diagnosis and not being able to run. I'd be especially upset with myself since the ankle pain was just a minor twinge until I ran 6 miles on it when I kind of sensed I shouldn't have gone more than 3 or 4. But you know, 4 weeks is really a small blip in my running "career" (I use the term as loosely as possible). Of course, if it doesn't feel better in 4 weeks, the doc wants to do a bone scan.
My chiropractor is helping by doing ultrasound and cold laser therapy three times a week. I swear in just two treatments, the swelling has gone down substantially.
The silver lining in all of this was sharing with the orthopod the issue with my high heart rate even when I run 11 or 12 minute miles. I asked him if he knew of a cardiologist who works with athletes because my first cardiologist said that after looking at my test results he didn't have a clue why my heart rate jumps so high so fast and only when I run. Not exactly an acceptable answer.
So between the orthopod checking with a few folks for a recommendation and a little Internet research of my own, I found a doctor locally who is an electrophysiologist (a subspecialty of cardiology). Great news -- he's the same doc the orthopod referred me to. Of course, when I called today the cardiologist, the scheduler said the doc doesn't have an opening until September. But then she said she'd see if she could somehow get me in next week. That would be sweet.
I'd be more than happy to give up 4 weeks of running in exchange for a diagnosis and treatment that would take my heart rate down to normal numbers so I don't bonk after 7 miles.
So it's on to the bike, weights and core work for 4 weeks. It's all good. All is well.
My ankle isn't fractured -- yet. But it's "impending." In fact, it's an impedning distal fibular stress fracture, according to the orthopod. All this means is that running on it some more could cause it to actual splinter. I think the doc was suprised it wasn't fractured considering my yelps and jumping off the table a few inches every time he touched a certain spot on my ankle.
Normally, I would be VERY upset with this diagnosis and not being able to run. I'd be especially upset with myself since the ankle pain was just a minor twinge until I ran 6 miles on it when I kind of sensed I shouldn't have gone more than 3 or 4. But you know, 4 weeks is really a small blip in my running "career" (I use the term as loosely as possible). Of course, if it doesn't feel better in 4 weeks, the doc wants to do a bone scan.
My chiropractor is helping by doing ultrasound and cold laser therapy three times a week. I swear in just two treatments, the swelling has gone down substantially.
The silver lining in all of this was sharing with the orthopod the issue with my high heart rate even when I run 11 or 12 minute miles. I asked him if he knew of a cardiologist who works with athletes because my first cardiologist said that after looking at my test results he didn't have a clue why my heart rate jumps so high so fast and only when I run. Not exactly an acceptable answer.
So between the orthopod checking with a few folks for a recommendation and a little Internet research of my own, I found a doctor locally who is an electrophysiologist (a subspecialty of cardiology). Great news -- he's the same doc the orthopod referred me to. Of course, when I called today the cardiologist, the scheduler said the doc doesn't have an opening until September. But then she said she'd see if she could somehow get me in next week. That would be sweet.
I'd be more than happy to give up 4 weeks of running in exchange for a diagnosis and treatment that would take my heart rate down to normal numbers so I don't bonk after 7 miles.
So it's on to the bike, weights and core work for 4 weeks. It's all good. All is well.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Down but not out -- just yet
I don't know why but I never want to write when I'm down about something. I realize that's the time I should be writing, but I just can't seem to drag myself to the computer. So that explains the absence.
About two weeks ago, I sprained/strained an ankle ligament when I misstepped on a run -- on vacation no less. (And of course, my running was going about as well as it's ever gone. Figures huh?). I didn't think it was anything. In fact, I barely remembered that I had misstepped -- until that night when it started to ache. So I saw the chirorpractor and the massage therapist, and patiently waited a week to run (but after the first 25 yards I realized it was a no-go). So I gave it another week. The pains have been so random. One time it'll hurt when I stand and walk and then feel better 10 steps later only to hurt again 30 steps after that. Another time it won't hurt for the first 20 yards and hurt from then on. One time it hurts in one part of the ankle, and then another time a different part of the ankle. And sometimes, all the muscles in my calf will tighten up.
On Saturday, I ran ever so lightly for about a quarter mile and it was sore but the pain didn't progress. That night, it felt better than it had for days. On Sunday, I biked 13 miles with my husband then ran 1mile about as slowly as a person can go. It was tight and a little tender but the pain didn't get worse. On Sunday night, it felt really pretty good. Then Monday, it was good until the afternoon when I could really feel it.
So I called the orthopod and have an appt. this afternoon. In the meantime, I had another appt. with the chiro. She told me I had the worst kind of sprain in that I twisted on the diagnol and not only got the tendon (or did she say ligament) but strained all the muscles in the front part of my calf. She said it's important to massage the ligament/tendon. I literally jumped off the table when she did. She did ultrasound and cold laser therapy. My ankle was so sore and swollen last night. But this morning it feels better than it has in days.
I told her about the orthopod appt. today. She agrees I should go the doc and have an x-ray for a stress fracture, possibly in my fibula. She doesn't expect it to be fractured, but given the tenderness in one area, she thinks it's a good idea to have it checked. More tonight.
About two weeks ago, I sprained/strained an ankle ligament when I misstepped on a run -- on vacation no less. (And of course, my running was going about as well as it's ever gone. Figures huh?). I didn't think it was anything. In fact, I barely remembered that I had misstepped -- until that night when it started to ache. So I saw the chirorpractor and the massage therapist, and patiently waited a week to run (but after the first 25 yards I realized it was a no-go). So I gave it another week. The pains have been so random. One time it'll hurt when I stand and walk and then feel better 10 steps later only to hurt again 30 steps after that. Another time it won't hurt for the first 20 yards and hurt from then on. One time it hurts in one part of the ankle, and then another time a different part of the ankle. And sometimes, all the muscles in my calf will tighten up.
On Saturday, I ran ever so lightly for about a quarter mile and it was sore but the pain didn't progress. That night, it felt better than it had for days. On Sunday, I biked 13 miles with my husband then ran 1mile about as slowly as a person can go. It was tight and a little tender but the pain didn't get worse. On Sunday night, it felt really pretty good. Then Monday, it was good until the afternoon when I could really feel it.
So I called the orthopod and have an appt. this afternoon. In the meantime, I had another appt. with the chiro. She told me I had the worst kind of sprain in that I twisted on the diagnol and not only got the tendon (or did she say ligament) but strained all the muscles in the front part of my calf. She said it's important to massage the ligament/tendon. I literally jumped off the table when she did. She did ultrasound and cold laser therapy. My ankle was so sore and swollen last night. But this morning it feels better than it has in days.
I told her about the orthopod appt. today. She agrees I should go the doc and have an x-ray for a stress fracture, possibly in my fibula. She doesn't expect it to be fractured, but given the tenderness in one area, she thinks it's a good idea to have it checked. More tonight.
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