Comments on: Motivation Monday: the ‘happy distractions’ edition

By: amyreinink

amyreinink — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:52:38 +0000

That is such great news! It must feel great to be out of the cast! Plus, if you’re in a boot now, you get to tell people: “stop looking at my booty!” I was on crutches/in a boot for a week in 2007, and that never got old.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:10:37 +0000

You are a freak, but I love you. Don’t forget pumpkin soup!

By: Gary

Gary — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:44:22 +0000

My run today was strange. It was a beautiful day out and I took yesterday off so I felt like running a little harder. I did my short 4 mile course again, but pushed it a little. My legs didn’t feel great, and my breathing was heavy for the pace I figured I was doing.

As I was running a few things were going through my mind. I wondered if I would really be able to work up to a solid 10 miles by Sunday the 28th. And I was thinking that this month off was different from just slacking for a month. My body has probably been putting a lot of energy into healing. And I had surgery just a little more than two weeks ago. And all these crazy drugs I’m not used too. And about halfway in my wrist started to bother me a little so I held it up as I ran. I wondered if passing cars started thinking of that Bangles song, only with slightly different lyrics–”Run Like an Egyptian.”

I was a little discouraged as I finished up. I frequently don’t run with a watch–I know my pace pretty well by feel and if I watch the time I too frequently push myself harder than I should on easy days. When I came in the house and saw the clock I thought, “that isn’t too bad.” We’ll see how it goes tomorrow.

I started physical therapy yesterday. I broke this same wrist twenty-some-odd years ago, though in a much more minor way. It was only one of the small bones and was just a minor fracture. I wore a cast for however long, got it cut off, and got on with life. This is different. I have maybe 10% of my normal range of motion, and 2% of my normal strength. They actually didn’t bother measuring strength because she didn’t think it would register. But the upside is that I can take my splint completely off for a while several times a day and I think I’m already making some progress.

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:23:45 +0000

Thanks for the shout out, Amy! You’re almost there…one more week!

I went for my post-op appt. today, which went well. I had my cast removed (woo-hoo!) and the doctor said I only have to use the crutches for THREE more weeks, not four. I’ve been on cloud nine all day! OH!…and when I go for follow-up in four weeks, his goal is to get me in a shoe. A SHOE!!

By: amyreinink

amyreinink — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:59:38 +0000

I am SO glad to hear you say that! I’ve been sidelined from running before, but have always been able to swim. Never in my life have I gone more than a week without any physical activity. I’m embarrassed to say how often I’ve thought about what my resting pulse is now (50? 60? Probably still low for the general population, but absurdly high for us). But I’m sure the base of what I’ve done my whole life will outweigh a month off. Plus, looking to the benefits, though my wrist is sometimes still sore, my usually-cranky IT band is fine!

By: kara

kara — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:04:11 +0000

Dozen cans of pumpkin! Did you know those pain killers can cause OCD? lol
Glad you hear you’re feeling better.

By: trialsoftraining

trialsoftraining — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:30:10 +0000

An entire CASE of pumpkin? ha! you’re definitely set for quite some time…baking doesn’t make you sweat right? that’s always a good afternoon-time-suck activity

glad you’re doing well! I’m keeping my fingers crossed for 3/23. trip to NYC? now *that* is distraction at its best..

By: Gary

Gary — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:55:14 +0000

One of the hardest things for me is the anxiety about feeling like all the fitness you’ve worked for for so long is slipping away so quickly. I’ve been running for about 15 years now and have never taken more than a week off. In part I’ve always been afraid if I got out of the routine I might just become a permanent couch potato, but I also like all the benefits I get from a high level of fitness. Being forced to sit still for almost a month you feel like you’ll be starting back at square one.

I’ve been back to running for two days now, and while I’m certainly not in top form, I’m also far from square one. I can tell that that 15 year base is there and will just need a little dusting off. So try not to worry too much about that part. I tried to think of it as a little rest time I could take without feeling guilty. And there are some benefits–I’ve been battling a little plantar faciitis that for now at least has cleared up.

Just a week to go!

By: coachkati

coachkati — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:33:10 +0000

Chocolate chip pumpkin bread will distract ANYONE!