Another Alter-G session

I was back in the Alter-G during today's PT session.

Today I did:
5 minutes run at 9.0 followed by 1 minute walk at 4.5 at 70% of my body weight x4 (24 minutes total)
5 minutes run at 9.0 followed by 1 minute walk at 4.5 at 75% of my body weight (6 minutes total)

Total time was 30 minutes and over 4 miles.  I'm happy with that for today.  It was a good increase over last week's 60% body weight.  Everything still feels good and it gives me hope for what's to come.

One of my run intervals

Back in the Alter-G

Today marks 9 weeks since the operation.  At this afternoon's PT session, I got to start back in the Alter-G treadmill.  I believe this treadmill was instrumental in my recovery last year, and I'm happy to be back in it again.  (I also used it this past winter when I had shin splints after Dopey, so it's no stranger to me).  Last year, it was exactly 9 weeks post-op that I first started in it, so I knew there was no reason I couldn't do it today.  Physically, I feel better and stronger than I did at this point last year.

We started off at a conservative 60% of my body weight.  I ran for 2 minutes at 9.0 and then walked for 2 minutes at 4.5 and repeated this cycle until I got to 20 minutes.  Then I ran for the final 6 minutes for a total of 26 minutes and over 3 miles. 

It felt effortless and natural to run (as natural as it can when you are strapped into the treadmill).  I had no pain and have felt fine all afternoon.  I'm pretty confident we will continue to increase my body weight percentage at my sessions next week and that it's only a few more weeks until I am back outside running again!

Transitioning into a run

Enjoying pain-free movement

Yoga for runners

Since my second hip surgery, I am trying to be even better about cross training and strength training than I was before.  I don't think I was bad to begin with, but I know there is always room for improvement.  I don't want to fall back into just running endless miles day after day (once I can actually start running again, of course).  For some time, I have intended to incorporate yoga into my routine -- especially yoga geared toward runners.  I'm not looking for anything crazy but I think there are definite benefits to increasing flexibility and getting a good stretch.  Years ago, I used to do yoga fairly regularly (I even taught some classes) and always loved how it made me feel.

I ordered a yoga for runners DVD offering 3 short (20 minute) yoga workouts.  Since I am in PA for a few days this week, I thought it would be a great time to try it out with Piper since she does yoga at her girls summer camp.  She didn't love the session but she was a trooper about following it through to the end.  I enjoyed it and think it will be a nice supplement for my running.

Two yogis getting a good stretch

No more crutches!

This morning I went for my 6 week surgical follow up.  They took X-rays of my hip and the doctor met with me to deliver the good news.  He could see bone healing on the X-ray (sometimes you see nothing) and he stated that I am good to start walking without crutches and to resume all my other normal gym activities -- with the exception of running.  He wants me to wait 6 more weeks for that, but I can progress to jogging for short periods of time and I can start in the Alter G treadmill at my physical therapist's when I am ready.  I follow up with him again in 6 more weeks, and hopefully that will be my last orthopedic appointment for a long while!

I am happy and relieved by today's news.  I have been doing everything I can to support my rehab and I do believe it has helped.  The muscles in my hip are still sore when I walk without crutches and I know I occasionally limp, but I am confident that will continue to get better in time.  I'm sure part of it is psychological and me wanting to guard the area against injury.

I went to the gym this evening after my PT session.  I have definitely lost some of my cardiovascular fitness, but I know that will come back relatively quickly.  I was just happy to be back there and get a good workout in.  Now if I could just figure out a way to hook up Netflix to the TV's there...😉

The brighter white on the underside of the neck is the new bone growth

Boston Marathon certificate

I came home from Mexico to find my Boston Marathon finishers certificate waiting for me in the mail.  I wasn't expecting it, so it was a nice surprise when I opened it Sunday afternoon.  It's hard to believe Boston was only a little over three months ago.  So much has happened even since then.  The certificate was a great reminder for me why I put myself through this -- why I enjoy running so many miles even though injuries can happen.  Boston was an epic experience, and I love the sport and all that I have accomplished so far.  Crossing the finish line of a marathon is a feeling like no other.  I know that there are many more big things in my future...

My finishers certificate -- I love the message on the bottom

The Racers Record Book accompanied the certificate -- a magazine recapping the race weekend and listing all the finishers.  I was pleasantly surprised to see my name listed on the Male Masters Teams.  Apparently I was first on my racing team (Fleet Feet Racing -- number 70 on the list).

Male Masters Teams

This past weekend was the Rock n Roll Chicago Half Marathon weekend.  Before the injury, I had planned to run this race and was a little bummed seeing the pictures of people out there Sunday morning (the fact that it was raining did make me feel a little better that I missed it).  However, I got the PR and NYC qualifying time that I wanted at the Chicago Spring Half back in May.  Ultimately, this was one race and there will be many more -- especially living in Chicago. 

I still don't know what my next race will be or even when I will start to run again.  I go back to the surgeon next Tuesday and will hopefully take the next step in my recovery -- just getting off crutches.  This recovery has been very different than my last one, so I'll be interested to hear how he thinks I am healing and what his timeline for me is. 

Mexico

After our Europe trip was canceled at the last minute due to my injury and subsequent surgery, we decided that we would take a trip to Cancun this week.  It has been a wonderful week so far and traveling on crutches has presented no hardships -- in fact it has been beneficial a few times!

At O'Hare on Monday, we were able to cut to the front of the TSA Precheck security line because of my crutches.  Considering how crazy busy the airport was Monday morning, we were very happy about this!  Once we arrived in Cancun, I was also ushered to the front of the customs line.  At our resort, everyone has been more than accommodating to me.  Workers offer to carry my plate at the buffet and rush over to open a door for me when I approach. 

Physically, I am feeling good.  Today is four weeks since the surgery.  I wish I could remember how I felt at this time last year.  I am optimistic that the bone is healing.  This trip is the first time I have been in the water since before the injury (I do miss the pool at the Beach Club!).  I feel good walking around in the water, swimming around the pool, and holding onto the side of the wall and kicking my legs.  I do think the muscles have weakened, but I am confident I will get the strength back once I am bearing full weight again.

Our resort has a nice gym with several bikes, so I have been able to continue riding the bike every day.  I don't think I have ever spent so much time on a bike as I have these past 4 weeks!

Another bike workout in the books!

Enjoying time back in the pool

Missing the lake and a surprise get well

It has been four weeks since I went out for my last run at the lake and ended up limping home after just 3 miles.  Four weeks since I pulled out the crutches and started using them to get around and four weeks since I knew that my summer was about to take an unexpected detour.  

Today was the first that I have been back to the lakefront path.  It's a beautiful day, so we took Mike's mother there for a walk to see the water.  I'd be lying if I said that being there didn't remind me how much I miss running there.  I spent so many hours and logged so many miles there last summer and had such big plans for this summer.

When I look at the big picture, I still think that this happened at one of the best times.  I think it was a matter of "when" and not "if" this was going to happen, and I'm glad I got to do everything I did this past winter and spring -- Dopey, Boston, Broad Street, Chicago Spring Half.  I think that has helped me to maintain such a positive attitude this time around.  And the weeks are passing quickly -- I am more than halfway through the post-surgical 6 weeks on crutches.

Missing my lakefront long runs

We got home from our walk to find a surprise package waiting for me.  Piper sent me the perfect get well card and a homemade butterfly magnet.  It was the perfect pick me up and made my day!

Piper's get well package