1 day down, 27 more to go.

Well I enjoyed my four whole gym workouts, conceived and executed all by my little self.  (See Winter Training for my big, but brief, leap into self-managed workouts).  It's back to supervised training because without help, I am relegated to a limited number of machines for anything with weight. Thanks Kurt and Jake who will make it possible to use barbells, dumbbells, and plate-loaded machines.

If you find yourself with a cast and crutches, here are my suggestions, which I can confidently provide now that I am in...ding-ding-ding....Round 2... of this nonsense.

• Get the doc to fill out paperwork, pay $5 at the DMV, and get a temporary handicapped hangtag.  You'll need the energy for life's essential activities, not for walking from the far reaches of the parking lot.
• Get fun socks.  This is a must in the cold weather.  And even more critical if the casted leg happens to contain a regrowing half-toenail that could scare small children and pets.
• Learn to walk by throwing the crutches forward with body momentum, freeing up hands to carry dishes, coffee, paper, laundry.  Because even if you get great help that first day or two, it will diminish exponentially and by day four, most help is gone. 
• Take NO chances with stairs.  Falling down the stairs with an immobilized limb is terrifying. Best is crutches in one hand, stair rail in the other.

Back to the gym tomorrow and a go at the POOL!!!!!  Please just don't let me slip on the pool deck.

Lightening can strike twice

Just like the last time, I went into Dr. Lebolt's office expecting to receive a little lecture about taking a break from running.  I'm walking fine, heck I put in a nice hour bike workout this morning.  Could a truly injured person do THAT? No way!!

No lecture...instead I got a cast and crutches...oh, and lovely paper shorts! The fracture is in the same place (fibula), but the opposite (left) leg. Not good when the doc says he can "feel it". At least with the left leg, driving is easier.

Four weeks in a cast, two weeks in a boot.

I had a little cry and then started the negotiating.

How about just the boot?  Then I can still bike and swim, it doesn't even hurt. (no, I don't trust you) 
How about two weeks in a cast, and four weeks in a boot?  That worked last time! (nope.  do you want surgery?)
Can I still swim in the cast? (you can try)

Then I pleaded insanity.  Meaning, I will be insane if I can't do SOMETHING.  I feel incarcerated or grounded.  Unfairly.

I even asked my neighbor, Beth, the PA there, to plead my case with Dr. Lebolt.  She kept me company while I got the cast on.  Give me a light blue cast, waterproof, yes I'll pay the difference, just like the last time.

I talked to Coach Jim right away and he assured me we will figure out things to do.  He and Dr. Lebolt still feel like Boston is doable.  So on the plus side I am glad I fessed this up to Coach Jim, and glad I saw TJ, and glad I got into Dr. Lebolt right away. I could have easily kept going on this thing for quite a while and then I'd be healing in March instead of January.

I wouldn't have discovered triathlon had it not been for the last leg injury.  So who knows what might result from this one.  I'll stay positive.

I think I worked through the five stages of grief in about two hours.  It wasn't pretty.  Done with the little pity party. Now it's time to get creative.  What CAN I do? How can I maintain some level fitness, and how can I use this time?? How can I come back stronger than ever??

I do realize in the big scheme of things, this is FAR from the worst thing that could happen to me. Suck it up and move forward.  I have health insurance, a loving family, and a rewarding job I can do with one leg. This is just a speed bump.

I'm blessed, loved, and thankful.

Distracted

I have an appointment for my leg at 4:15 today, with my neighbor/orthopedic PA who got me through the last ordeal. I pulled the aircast boot out of the closet and put it in the car as insurance that I won't need it. Jim saw TJ at the pool and I guess it was agreed that it is good I am not running with the location and level of associated tenderness and pain. It is hard to concentrate today.

On the plus side I had a nice hour workout/sweatfest on the bike trainer, no pain there!  Well, except perhaps for the butt and nether regions which take a beating on the trainer since you don't really move around as much as out on the roads. I watched a past episode of the Biggest Loser while riding. I never watched it when it was on TV but it is pretty engrossing.  They are fighting for so much - their health and self-respect - and display tremendous courage.  It shows if you want big results, you have to be prepared for big change and big sacrifice. And while support is essential, the drive has to come from within.

Deja Vous

Two weeks ago I took a "funny" step on a run and rolled my ankle slightly inward.  Since then, I've had  significant localized tenderness along the fibula of my left leg.  18 months ago, I took a "funny" step on a run and had localized tenderness on the fibula of my right leg.  I ended up with a fracture and a boot for 6 weeks. So you see why I was hoping and praying this would just go away. It's not. And I know from experience what happens if I ignore this beyond a certain point.

So I finally 'fessed up to Coach Jim, who sent me to physical therapist TJ Stites, who is a runner/triathlete and understands the mindset of a runner. He pushed and prodded, nearly sending me through the roof. He's figuring something bone related, or an attachment, because it is so tender and so pinpoint. He recommended an xray to rule out a stress fracture. The very mention of that possibility left me with a terrible pit in my stomach.

Until I know more about what is going on, I won't be running. I'm pretty sure I caught it early enough for a quick turn-around so I'm staying positive (well, after a two-minute cry in the car). Hey, it's an opportunity. I was gearing up for an intense block of swim training in Jan/Feb anyway, and one of my triathlon goals this year was to bring my cycling up to the next level. There ya go!

I am annoyed that my lower legs seem to be a weak link. That's OK. The physical stuff can be overcome.  I still have a tough warrior spirit.

Winter Training

Here we go again, we got hit by the first cold and snow blast of the year which this week resulted in two school delays, two cancellations, and for the last day I haven't even been able to get out of my neighborhood in the minivan.  I know running outside is not smart or possible when my ultra-running friend opts to do his 30-miler on the indoor track which is 9 laps to a mile! Fortunately I have the bike trainer (yay!) and a treadmill (not so yay) at home. If I had a nice endless pool I'd be in business.

The only way I'll get to the gym today is by bumming a ride from a neighbor or waiting for Robert and the truck.

Right now I am training on my own at the gym for the first time in a while. I bumped up the training sessions 18 months ago with Jake due to the leg injury and never bumped them back down. A string of unanticipated home expenses triggered the change, but I also think it's time for me to put into practice all I have learned.

I'm planning out my three weekly workouts ahead of time, aiming for around 30-35 sets to be completed within an hour and change.

• Monday: Chest, triceps, core
• Wednesday: Legs, biceps, core
• Friday: Back, shoulders, core

I still have a lot to learn.  For instance, loading weights properly. On Wednesday I used the H-squat, and after a set with a 45+25+10 on each side, I went to move up to 45+45 per side.  Only after I unloaded one side, I forgot to add the 45.  So here I was marveling that this heavier set actually felt lighter, I thought, wow, I guess I am finally warmed up!  Doh! 

It's also tricky to not have a ready-spotter. Or counter. Or planner. Or motivator.

Time to put on the big girl pants and figure it out.