Today I RAN for the first time since my injury 5 months ago. After a month of self-rehab on the elliptical (getting up to a one hour easy session) ... I ran today.
Nothing super special, no celebration, no pat on the back ... it felt very natural actually, and a couple of times i had to consciously remind myself to appreciate it. But i was careful, timid actually, excited and happy with a twinge of fear mixed in. I do NOT want to get injured again.
If i didn't get injured, at this point i could have been tapering down my long runs in my training for the Atlantic City Half Marathon to be run in 2 weeks. This was originally my first big goal, I have since deferred my entry for this year, and i am very ok with that. Content and not frustrated anymore.
If it wasn't for my injury i could have also been ramping up my training this week, as i had also registered for the Walt Disney World full Marathon for 2013. The AC half marathon would have just been another long run in the training for Disney. (I'm still in contact with runDisney on how to defer that entry).
But no. Today was not a long run of 10-13 miles or more. It was not a maintainance run for 3,5,8 miles or whatever. It was a first run. Again. I ran, or more correctly, did a walk-run, as i did Week 1 of the couch ton5k program. Yup, run 60 sec, walk 2 min. Repeat for 20-30min.
It felt good, but i didnt want to get hurt, so i concentrated on form and stepping lightly and not pushing.
This is a second chance. A do-over. I get to do it right this time.
Yes!
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Focus
Day 4 today of elliptical. 20 minutes. Still not like a long run of 10+ miles, but still felt nice. One of my goals was to run the Walt Disney World Marathon this July 2013. Because of my injury, I was sidelined and my training has been pushed back.
Last week I had a revelation, and that I could feasibly run the Walt Disney World Half Marathon instead!! I emailed runDisney to transfer but unfortunately they could not accomodate me as now both the marathon and the half marathon are sold out.
Oh well. Might be for the best. Now I can just concentrate on getting better slowly, and properly, instead of rushing to run the race.
Don't get me wrong ... the goal of running a Goofy in 2014 still stands!!
Last week I had a revelation, and that I could feasibly run the Walt Disney World Half Marathon instead!! I emailed runDisney to transfer but unfortunately they could not accomodate me as now both the marathon and the half marathon are sold out.
Oh well. Might be for the best. Now I can just concentrate on getting better slowly, and properly, instead of rushing to run the race.
Don't get me wrong ... the goal of running a Goofy in 2014 still stands!!
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Baby steps again
Today I "exercised" for the first time since my injury 4 months ago in May. Per doctor's orders, I can pretty much only do nonimpact exercises now, like elliptical, stair master, bike, or swim.
Well, I do have a boring old elliptical down in the basement, so I went down with my iphone this morning excited to exercise, but expecting that i would need some music or podcast or something to get me going... Here's the thing, when I ran, I did not need any music, or iphone, or anything to keep my mind occupied. Running itself gave me a thrill and kept me going. The scenery, the cliched "wind in my face," even the other runners who would wave in encouragement and acknowledgement, that would keep me going. And most of all, that euphoric feeling at the end of a run..that sense of accomplisment, and seeing how far I'd run... That kept me going.
But this morning, i expected I would be stationary, staring at the blank basement wall while on the elliptical, indoors, and needing some music.
What I experienced was totally different. Afterwards, anyway. As this was my first exercise session since being sidelined, i knew i had to take it easy. I was on a nonresistance setting , on an elliptical, and going at a slow 60 step per minute pace. Barely "walking" on an elliptical. And I only went for 15 minutes. A far cry from my 2 hr long run of up to 13.1 miles that I did not too long ago.
But I actually felt it when i got off the machine. Just that 15 minutes gave me that familiar sense of heavy jelly legs, and yes some euphoria. I had almost forgotten what it was like. And i loved it. I'm exercising again!
And i can't wait till tomorrow.
Baby steps. Whatever it takes.
Well, I do have a boring old elliptical down in the basement, so I went down with my iphone this morning excited to exercise, but expecting that i would need some music or podcast or something to get me going... Here's the thing, when I ran, I did not need any music, or iphone, or anything to keep my mind occupied. Running itself gave me a thrill and kept me going. The scenery, the cliched "wind in my face," even the other runners who would wave in encouragement and acknowledgement, that would keep me going. And most of all, that euphoric feeling at the end of a run..that sense of accomplisment, and seeing how far I'd run... That kept me going.
But this morning, i expected I would be stationary, staring at the blank basement wall while on the elliptical, indoors, and needing some music.
What I experienced was totally different. Afterwards, anyway. As this was my first exercise session since being sidelined, i knew i had to take it easy. I was on a nonresistance setting , on an elliptical, and going at a slow 60 step per minute pace. Barely "walking" on an elliptical. And I only went for 15 minutes. A far cry from my 2 hr long run of up to 13.1 miles that I did not too long ago.
But I actually felt it when i got off the machine. Just that 15 minutes gave me that familiar sense of heavy jelly legs, and yes some euphoria. I had almost forgotten what it was like. And i loved it. I'm exercising again!
And i can't wait till tomorrow.
Baby steps. Whatever it takes.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Winner!
Victory for me today.
No, today I did not run a race, finish a half marathon, a marathon or even the Goofy Marathon. I did not even run. When I started this blog, I looked forward to the day that I would do one of the above and use the word "winner" or "victory" or "mission accomplished" or something like that.
But I got injured ... and sidelined ... for over 3 months. Crutches, scooter, cane.
My goal stays the same, but today I will celebrate my own victory, of a different type:
Today my doctor told me I can start exercising again!!
I stopped using my cane about 5 days ago, and I feel great walking around on my own. Funny how you only appreciate what you have when you don't have it. Cliche' but oh so true. My doctor said I can start using the elliptical and maybe a stationary bike for the next month, in the meantime only continue to use my bone stimulator for a week or two more.
And then ... one month from now ...
I can start running again.
True, only a half mile at a time. But I will be able to start running again.
It seemed like every day over the last 3-4 months someone would say to me, "No more running for you!" or even one said these words, "so your dreams of running again are shattered!"
I tried to stay positive, and kept myself confident that I would start running again, and now I know.
I will be running again.
Victory!
Thank you!! Of course my friends and family have been a great support, but I offer a special online thank you to the WISH boards on www.disboards.com and also on the Femoral Neck Stress fracture / reaction support group on the Runner's World forums, for helping me get through this. On the internet you find out really quick, you are not alone!
No, today I did not run a race, finish a half marathon, a marathon or even the Goofy Marathon. I did not even run. When I started this blog, I looked forward to the day that I would do one of the above and use the word "winner" or "victory" or "mission accomplished" or something like that.
But I got injured ... and sidelined ... for over 3 months. Crutches, scooter, cane.
My goal stays the same, but today I will celebrate my own victory, of a different type:
Today my doctor told me I can start exercising again!!
I stopped using my cane about 5 days ago, and I feel great walking around on my own. Funny how you only appreciate what you have when you don't have it. Cliche' but oh so true. My doctor said I can start using the elliptical and maybe a stationary bike for the next month, in the meantime only continue to use my bone stimulator for a week or two more.
And then ... one month from now ...
I can start running again.
True, only a half mile at a time. But I will be able to start running again.
It seemed like every day over the last 3-4 months someone would say to me, "No more running for you!" or even one said these words, "so your dreams of running again are shattered!"
I tried to stay positive, and kept myself confident that I would start running again, and now I know.
I will be running again.
Victory!
Thank you!! Of course my friends and family have been a great support, but I offer a special online thank you to the WISH boards on www.disboards.com and also on the Femoral Neck Stress fracture / reaction support group on the Runner's World forums, for helping me get through this. On the internet you find out really quick, you are not alone!
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Good News!
Last week I got my repeat MRI ... and my doctors told me that my femoral neck stress fracture is almost gone!!! There is just a little bit of "residual edema" according to the radiologist, but that it still might be in the normal range.
More importantly, my orthopedic surgeon said I should start to transition off of the cane to be off 100% by next week, and to start some light stretches.
Yes.
Winner.
More importantly, my orthopedic surgeon said I should start to transition off of the cane to be off 100% by next week, and to start some light stretches.
Yes.
Winner.
Good News!
Last week I got my repeat MRI ... and my doctors told me that my femoral neck stress fracture is almost gone!!! There is just a little bit of "residual edema" according to the radiologist, but that it still might be in the normal range.
More importantly, my orthopedic surgeon said I should start to transition off of the cane to be off 100% by next week, and to start some light stretches.
Yes.
Winner.
More importantly, my orthopedic surgeon said I should start to transition off of the cane to be off 100% by next week, and to start some light stretches.
Yes.
Winner.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Dreams
Today Disney revealed the finisher medal for the 20th Walt Disney World Marathon.
Inscribed is Walt Disney's quote,
"All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them."
Inscribed is Walt Disney's quote,
"All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them."
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