Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Wednesday Workout Update - The Truth

So I haven't been exactly honest with how my running has been going since I started back up with it.  True, it did not hurt at all when I ran that 3K race the end of March.  I was so relieved - that must mean I was cured, right?  Ignoring the jabs of pain here and there, oh and also the burning pain that came after I did my walks...I ran once without pain so therefore I was OK.

Except that it kinda kept hurting.  Not horrible, mind you - not like it did that day in January when I had to stop running because I couldn't put any pressure on it.  But it hurt enough to keep me downing Motrin and icing it a lot.  Still, I was running!  And that was good!

So I decided to be a responsible adult (who, me??) and get a second opinion on my ankle.  Mind you, I'd stayed off of it the amount of time the first orthopedist recommended.  But since it was still hurting, I figured I should double-check...and hey, if there was a surgical option, I might just go for it, because wouldn't I feel like a fool if I'd blown all these months waiting around when I could have a magical fix and be back, good as new?!

Well, the news was not what I wanted to hear.  After x-rays were taken, and the MRI was once again looked at, the new orthopedist said that the injury is still alive and well.  Tissue is still inflamed, blah blah blah.  And there is nothing to do but wait it out - time will heal it - time without running, because that pounding is just aggravating it.  He even discouraged walking because depending on how fast I walk, that will contribute to the pounding.  He likened the injury to having whacked my ankle with a big hammer, only instead of hitting it once with a big hammer, I basically hit it a million times with a miniature hammer.  That's what the pounding of running decided to stress - not my knees, not my achilles, not my shins, not my IT band - just my ankle.

So that is frustrating.  To say the least.  And there might have been a few tears shed in his office - I mean, COME ON...this is getting to be ridiculous.  A broken ankle or a stress fracture would have been CURED by now.  And how will I know when my ankle is healed?  He said that it will gradually improve, and one day I will realize that it doesn't hurt anymore...and that's when I can start back up with the running.  He did not give me a time line.  I honestly don't know if I will lose the next couple of months, or the entire summer.  I repeat - this is ridiculous.

And now I'm facing the same old gym crap that quite frankly, I am not thrilled with (as if you couldn't tell by that sentence).  I did go to the track last night with my running club, and worked out with the advanced group - Coach Joni has them doing exercises in between their sprints, so I did three sets, each consisting of 20 tricep dips, 15 push ups, 30 crunches, 15 squats and 20 hamstring lifts (in place of walking lunges, which put too much pressure on my ankle).  That was hard, but it was great to be pushed like that.  My legs felt like jello afterward, and I welcomed that feeling - haven't had that since I left my workouts with Brad and Linda.  I walked on the track during the 10 minute warm up and cool down, too.  Tonight, I'm going to step waaayyyy out of my comfort zone and go to our first pool workout.  Did I mention how far out of my comfort zone that is?  So it remains to be seen if I go a second time.  But at least I'm trying it.

So there it is - the truth.  It hurts to accept it.  But at this point, I don't have any other choice.

27 comments:

  1. I'm so sorry your ankle is still giving you fits. I understand completely the frustration of working out inside. While you can't run (or walk) for a while, why not get on your beautiful pink bike and feel the wind in your hair?! Have a happy day!!

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  2. I hope you like the pool. I really like it. I know it is out of your comfort zone, I hope it is more about feeling like not a strong swimmer and not the bathing suit thing. This is for you....don't worry about what others are seeing.
    This body thing is a bummer! So glad you worked out w/ your buds. That is impressive, I might have sat on the couch with my frenemies Ben and Jerry.

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  3. Oh Shelley this is definitely not a post I wanted to read. I feel really sorry for you. You were so happy getting back at running and now you have to stop again.

    But as a responsible adult you know it's the best way to stop running for now. Even if that hurts, I can totally understand that.

    Go ride your bike (if that's allowed), find other things to do like swimming. Maybe you will be liking that too.

    I keep my fingers crossed that the ankle heals sooner than expected and once it is healed it stays that way.

    Thinking of you my friend.

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  4. I'm sorry, Shelley :( I know it's not the news you wanted to hear, but glad that you have other workout options to embrace! I think this pool workout is going to be a fun thing for you! I used to do pool workouts in the summer and they are AWESOME!

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  5. Hurray for functional fitness. I think it's just great that your coaches are willing to try to adapt some workouts for you! I know it's hard and it sucks. I even understand completely because I had an injury that sidelined me for almost 6 months - during prime spring/summer/fall running. But, if you just do what the doc says one day you WILL wake up and it will be better!

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  6. Oh, Shelley, I am so sorry to read this. I know you are so disappointed. After all your hard work to become a runner, and then not be able to enjoy it right now. It just stinks. I know you will find a way around this - be it pool or biking or something.

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  7. The truth might hurt, but I am super impressed because you are NOT letting it stop you!!! You are out there doign whtat you can! You are an inspiration!

    Meanwhile, I'll be keeping you in my prayers that it heals QUICKLY!!!!

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  8. :( Love ya, sole sistah.

    Sounds like you'll at least get to try some new things wihle you're waiting for it to heal. Pool workouts could be fun! OK, I'll go outside of my comfort zone and try something new with ya (except I'll be here). I'm gonna check the Y schedule and find something that I've never done before. (eek!)

    Looking forward to hearing aboutt he pool workout. How about pool jogging? Put on one of those floaty belt things and jog in place? I think Biz did it. You could still go for a run but in a pool! :)

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  9. Shelley, oh, this is a bummer. And I can relate.

    I will spare you the details, but I am a long-time runner who side-lined two years ago with a bum knee. Oh, I thought I would go mad without the running. Then out of pure desperation, I tried pool running and Aqua Jogging. I was extremely fortunate to have an excellent and enthusiastic instructor to show me the basics.

    Much to my astonishment, I grew to love it! I lost some weight and even got improved tone in my upper body (from pumpling the arms with foam weights). I wonder if you might give this a try?

    I'm back to running now, but pool running and aqua jogging, were such an unexpected welcome "side effect"--I would have never attempted this had it not been for my injury.

    Well, I'm inspired by you, and I love your blog. Thanks for sharing your journey with us. I have 100% confidence you are going to emerge from this injury a stronger person! Take care

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  10. Same old gym crap? Hey, that's what I like to do! Seriously, I for one am very glad that you did not ignore and got a second opinion. This is a serious injury and you need to think in terms of your whole life and not just this running season.

    Okay, climbing down off of my motherly soap box...I like some of the ideas above about running in the pool. It just might get me back in the pool this year! I've been pretty frustrated that I can't run too. (But every time I even think of it my ankle or my knee or my foot or my toe starts hurting to remind me that I shouldn't be doing that.)

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  11. I am glad you got a second opinion - so grown up of you! :D

    You will love the pool! I am a horrible swimmer too, but I love it. I wear the floaty belt and just jog in the water - its definitely a work out!!

    Hang in there . . . time will heal it. :D

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  12. :( I'm sad for you. I know it sucks and I hope it passes sooner rather than later.

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  13. You will LOVE the pool. You'll be surprised how much of a workout you can get in the water. I know how hard it is to let yourself heal but you know you have to if you ever want to run again on a regular basis. Hang in there my friend!!

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  14. Hi Shelley, oh DOUBLE DAMN about the injury!!! Hopefully you enjoy the water workouts while it heals, and you are back on your feet and running again (pain free) VERY VERY soon!!! Take care!!!

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  15. Oh Shelley, I want to cry for you. Having been on the receiving end of an injury that ended up taking way longer than expected to heal - it just is no fun having to wait. At all.

    Get strong and be strong, though - work those arms. Can you ride a bike or is that too much strain on the ankle?

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  16. Your damn ankle! :/ So sorry to hear that you're officially off it. Good luck with the pool workouts - they're awkward, but so, so, so beneficial and good for you! Who knows, you may become a water aerobics junkie? ;)

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  17. What a bummer for you.

    I discovered the Aqua Jogger belt that allows you to jog in the pool. Years ago I shattered all of the bones in my left ankle and was laid up for months, after physical therapy I was able to get in our pool with the aqua jogger belt and jog in the water!

    I sure hope it heals soon so you can resume your regular exercise routine.

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  18. I am so sorry to hear that Shelley :-( As a fellow ankle injury survivor I can relate! Mine is starting to feel better but I have been taking it slow. I am doing either bike or elliptical and weights at the gym. You have to be patient and let it heal. And I agree with some of the comments that are telling you to get on that gorgeous pink bike and ride!

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  19. Oh, No! That sucks, but kudos to you for accepting it and doing what you can do. AND for stepping out of your comfort zone and heading to the pool. Sounds like fun! Can't wait to read about it.

    Winks & Smiles,
    Wifey

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  20. Really, really sorry that your ankle is taking so long to heal. Having gone through a few body issues that have really slowed me down the past few months, I empathize with not being able to do what you want.

    The pool for work outs can be great fun. Take it from someone who paddled around at an enormous weight - no one cares what you like when exercising in the water.

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  21. I am sorry to hear about your foot. Would a trampoline be ok? I bought one when I couldn't run and it is a lot of fun and you would be amazed at how much you feel the workout. Swimming is great, I hope you like it enough to do it twice.

    I know exactly how you feel. Try not to count time, that makes it worse.

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  22. I'm sorry, Shelly. I could tell how happy you were to get back to sorta walking and running again. But, if you don't rest it'll get worse. The pool is a great way to work out. You might find out you love it. I know I've been frustrated with my injuries, but don't give up. You will run again and you'll be great. Until then.....swimming? Biking? Hang in there. Wish I had a magic wand I'd TOTALLY fix your ankle. Well, right after I got rid of all this weight and my multi-million bank account. You'd be right there on my list. :)

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  23. I so feel your pain. I went through the same thing. it was like 6 or 8 weeks before it got better. And that was without trying to run on it (which definately will extend your healing time). Its so frustrating. I remember well. Mine happened a few days before my first 5k i signed up for that I realized I wouldnt be able to run. Hang in there...and stay off that foot!

    Jennifer

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  24. Wow - I feel your pain here, Shelly!
    Common sense says one thing.... desire says another!
    Maybe just for one summer.... a new kind of recovery!

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  25. Oh, Shelley, that suck so much. Of course you are upset; who wouldn't be? But listen to the doctor and let yourself heal.

    And swim swim swim swim swim. I think you will love it (or grow to love it).

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  26. Working out is always the answer - even if it's slow in the beginning you'd be surprised at where you can get.

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