Thursday, July 19, 2012

Chapter 2 page 594–Graduation Day

It was 9 weeks ago yesterday that my running plans for 2012 were derailed in a blink of an eye (don’t remember, click HERE).  It was 9 weeks ago today that I began physical therapy to begin the road to recovery.  For a runner (or at least someone like me who LOVES doing races), 9 weeks has felt like FOREVER!

Most people would look at 9 weeks as 2.25 months or 63 days or 1512 hours or 90720 minutes or 5,443,200 seconds

But runners measure time differently.  For this runner, 9 weeks has been:  4 halfs registered that have had to be downgraded to 5K’s or withdrawn from altogether or 1 10K registered for but not comp or 6 5K’s that are annual favorites that I couldn’t compete in this year or 5 revisions of a training plan based on alternating progress and set backs.

All of that is in the rear view mirror because today is graduation day from rehab!  Here are a few of the many pieces of equipment that has helped me on this road to recovery. 

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Top:  Single leg stand (balancing on a sprained ankle – ouch!) throwing a 2 lb medicine ball at a rebounder, catching and repeating for 10-15 repetitions WITHOUT falling over.

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Top:  Poor form – should be standing straight up, but “touch and go’s” (which in my opinion, can just "GO AWAY”).  I had these for both my right ankle and my left knee and now they’re on my “for the rest of my life” exercise plan – wanna join me for a few?

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Top:  Lunges – we all know how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE lunges (not) . . . yeah, well, I’ve done bajillions of them.  Believe it or not, this might have been the most painful exercise and now . . . I’m a pro (just look at that form)!  There’s also a little shot of the Urban Rebounder (mini tramp) – used that a handful of times too. 

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Top 2 pix:  Heel Raises & Heel cord stretches on a 4-6” step . . . these are my on “for the rest of my life” plan as well.

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Top:  These 3 blue torture rehab devices and I have spent HOURS together.  The top left is a foam mat that I got a LOT of practice balancing .  The bottom round blue piece of equipment is like a deflated ball and was used to help me rotate my foot in and out – impossible for nearly 6 weeks, but now – ROCKSTAR!  Top right and the picture below are the same piece of delight – a BAPS  board (Biomechanical Ankle Platform System). You’ll notice the silver weights on the right side which make it even more challenging as if balancing on a board with a ball under it and then rotating my ankle CW & CCW isn’t hard enough . . . of course, we should add weights!

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Below:  The treadmill – ahhh, we had some lovely times together . . . even if it was 30-60 seconds at a time.  You’ll notice that acrobatic harness hanging above the ‘mill  – that’s to hang you up and hold some of your weight so you aren’t having to walk with all of your weight . . . .thankfully only had to use the harness once. 

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Below:  My “forever and ever and ever and ever” excises – these 6 delights will be with me 3-5 days a week for the rest of my life because as my therapist threatened scared me to death with . . . “Re-spraining that ankle is going to be so easy to do!”  HMMM – fine, sigh, take my toys and go home, stomp, whine, eye roll . . . I guess I’ll do them, but in protest!

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Below:  With graduation, you get a t-shirt . . . .this one beats ALL of my race shirts – I worked SO hard to earn this one!!!!!

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I’m back baby . . . or probably more accurately . . . I’m on my way back!  This weekend is the Chicago Rock N Roll.  I’ll be doing the “mini marathon” of “about 3 miles” instead of the half, but I’m just thrilled to be able to walk 3 miles, get back into racing, and meet up with MOA!  Stay tuned for, what I’m sure will be, endless photos detailing all of my Chicago antics! 

9 comments:

  1. So glad to have you back! Be careful this weekend and have tons of fun! Let's get together for a nice easy run/walk. Missed you my friend.

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  2. What? No diploma? That's ridiculous. RIDICULOUS. Ha! I am so excited for you and your graduation. Martinis to celebrate!

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  3. So glad you "graduated." Have fun in Chicago with MOA! Hopefully I will see you at a race sometime soon :)

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  4. I agree with the above comments. Good to have you back, now do not over do it. Hope to get together and walk some this next week with you. Enjoy Chicago. "L"

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  5. YAY!!! You are back on the road. Can't believe you got a graduation tshirt that is hilarious. Looking forward to seeing the photos of the race ... what's your colours for this one?
    xx

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  6. Congrats on your graduation :)

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  7. Congrats on your graduation!! I was in MN this weekend (or I would have tried to meet up with you!) - can't wait to hear how it went!

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