What Saved Me

I think this to myself often, but today it was especially strong...

HOW DID I EVER SURVIVE THE UPS AND DOWNS OF MY LIFE WITHOUT WORKING OUT??

I have found in the last year and a half that working out has become my vice. At the beginning, I thought it was running. Now, I'm starting to realize that a successful workout gives me the same feeling that a successful run always did. I am attempting to follow a few friends on their challenge of 100 workouts for the summer. With that mindset, I worked out twice today. This morning, I did an upper body workout, and tonight I had my favorite...Club Circuit!

The last couple of months have been especially trying. I found myself quickly falling back into old coping habits (food, food, and more BAD food), and it took a few weeks for me to realize what I was doing. Once I realized it though...I found out that my new coping habits (healthy cooking, a great workout, time outside with good friends) are much more satisfying than the old ones. Working as hard as I possibly can during a one minute challenge at the gym gives me the confidence that I can be successful at whatever I put my mind to...even if I thought it was impossible from the start.

I know I talk about working out a LOT (for goodness' sakes...this blog is dedicated to it), but I simply want to share what I've learned! I am someone that REALLY struggles with change. But this change in lifestyle has saved me.

She's baaaaaackkk!

I got the go-ahead to ease back in to running from the physical therapist today. I can't even begin to explain how excited I am. But that being said, I'm going to EASE back in. Getting re-injured is not an option.

For now, I can run on the treadmill, and then move to an all-weather track. She said that I can't run any inclines or hills for now. We'll see how this goes!

YAAAAYYYYY!!!!

Boot Free!

Well, I've been boot-free for a couple weeks now, and my leg is feeling pretty great. Had a minor setback because I went for a short one-mile run (I was desperate...that's another story.), but it's feeling pretty good now.

The best part is that I'm almost back to my workouts 100%. I've been a little more brave with what I try to do, and just stop if it hurts, but most things have been okay. I really want to get back to running, but after that one miler hurt the way it did, I know I'm not ready.

Soon enough!

Patience

My patience is dwindling. I should be done with the boot by now. We're 7 weeks in!

Emailed my orthopedist tonight...we'll see what he says.

Good News!

Time for another update.

I got some great news today from the Physical Therapist! She said that I can do a slow, short jog as soon as I can go all day without the boot. For now, I have to start weaning myself off the boot. I am to start with 2-3 hours on, 2-3 hours off for a few days, and then gradually increase the off time. I can't wait to get back to running!!

The PT said that she thinks the main issue with my legs is that I have very little hip strength and flexibility. She said my body has basically been compensating for that with other muscles/bones. She gave me 6 exercises to start with that I have to do daily to work on that, and then when I see her a month from now, we'll start working on the actual shin problems. She said after feeling my bones that she thinks the actual fracture is on its way out, and we're dealing with severe shin splints at this point.

It was nice to get good news...I needed it!

Update

Today is a good day for an update.

I went to the orthopedist on Wednesday afternoon. Dr. Cappiello told me that things are definitely getting better with my stress fracture, and he said we could trade the crutches in for a boot (air cast). Dr. Cappiello also said that he wished Dr. Bhaskar (my MD) had called him, because he would have started me with the boot in the first place. However, we both decided that because my leg doesn't hurt all day long anymore, the crutches served their purpose.

This boot is SO much better than being on crutches. My leg feels a lot better, but does get a little achy at the end of the day. I'll be starting physical therapy in two weeks, and Dr. Cappiello said that the physical therapist will determine when I can run again. Dr. Cappiello said that it could be 8 weeks before I take a "brisk walk" again, or it could be 12 depending on how the PT goes. At this point, I'll do anything to make this get better.

I asked the Ortho what caused this in the first place. When we talked about my running history, he said that most likely I ramped up my training too quickly after my last half marathon. Out of that, I realized that following a training plan is important not only to get you mentally ready, but physically, it allows your muscles to grow and change to handle the stress of the activity. I hadn't realized that muscles change based on what you're doing. Dr. C said that your muscles move and grow to support your bones based on the exercise you're doing. He also said that the PT will give me a training schedule specific to my injury that will allow me to run again.

This orthopedist was amazing. It was so refreshing to hear him say that his ultimate goal is to get me back out and running, and that exercising is a vital part of the recovery process. He said that I can try anything I want (except running) in the gym, and if it hurts, I scratch it off the list. I'm really looking forward to seeing what new things I will start doing in the gym. For now, he recommended weights, the stationary bike, and light squats, etc. He said to wait on the elliptical and treadmill until after I see the physical therapist. He also suggested I get a trainer...and smiled when I said I already had a great one! Lastly, Dr. C said I could email him with any questions I may have, especially ones related to exercise so that I don't hurt myself. He was definitely the best doctor I've ever seen. I highly recommend him!

Training Plans

Well, today's the day. I am seeing the orthopedist this afternoon, and can't WAIT.

Until then, I found these training plans on active.com. It gives beginner, intermediate, and advanced plans for many different races and sports (swimming, biking, running, etc.). Thought I'd share!

http://search.active.com/search?f=training&k=&v=list&page=1