Yes, I’m still alive and still in full “injury recovery” mode from my femoral stress fracture. Here are some random notes from the wonderful rehab process:
- Lord willing I will be able to start the “return to running” program a week from tomorrow. I have my next follow-up visit with the MD on 10/3, and if the x-ray looks ok I’m expecting him to turn me loose. This program will be mentally tough, because it will take 2 to 3 months to get back to where I was previously, but I can’t wait to hit the road/trails again.
- I knew that running was my emotional outlet, but didn’t realize how much of an impact not running would have on my overall mental state. Some of the cross-training that I’m doing helps, but it’s not the same as running.
- When I think about my natural abilities as a runner, I was not blessed with a low resting heart-rate, high VO2-Max, or high maximum heart rate. My “talents” mostly revolve around discipline, hard-work, and pushing through discomfort. With my cross training activities, I can obviously still focus on discipline and hard work, but the type of discomfort I’m pushing through is much different than with running. It is mostly trying to overcame an overwhelming sense of boredom (aqua jogging, stationary bike, elliptical machine, etc).
- One of the things I miss the most is running with Nathan. He is a great friend and christian brother, and we had a great summer training together. I know that he’s going to kill the Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon, and I hate that I will not be running with him.
- I also miss running with my group. It was good to see several of them on Saturday spectating during the Women’s Half Marathon.
- I like to read, but usually only ready 2 or 3 books a year, and certainly not very fast. However, I’m now on my 7th novel since the injury (4 weeks). Not sure what happened there 🙂
- As for aqua jogging, the pool is awful. I can’t imagine being in a place where I would CHOOSE to make swimming my primary form of exercise, unless I lived near open water. Here are some of my observations about the pool:
– I’m convinced that the chemical to water ratio of most indoor pools is about 95/5
– The older ladies own the pool (water aerobics), and will run you over if you get in their way.
– You are slave to someone else’s schedule. Sure you can aqua jog, provided the pool is open and its not (1) swim team training (2) water aerobics (3) lightening outside and there are not 500 people in the pool. A couple of weeks ago I saw 5 people attempting to swim laps in two lanes. Crazy.
Well, there it is. Hope everyone is having a great week.