January 30, 2013

Cold Front Blues.  Classic early morning run with a brutal, unrelenting North wind and sub-freezing temps.  Three and change for an uneventful Wednesday maintenance run.  INXS mix on the box to get me through.  My right foot is doing great at this point.  Follow-up in a week and then I can start training for a half in April.

January 28, 2013

What a difference a week makes around here.  After having to brave the unrelenting Arctic air on most of my recent runs, yesterday I stepped out to almost tropical conditions with temps in the mid-60s and 100% humidity.  Bumped up the distance by a mile, which is generally not a big deal; however, it feels great when it represents a 25% increase.  And, more importantly, it was the longest run in an injury-plagued winter.  No foot issues: no pain or discomfort noted during, directly after or 24-hours later.

January 27, 2013

A pretty unproductive week culminates without a weekend run.  Planning on getting out there three to four times this week, as well as bumping up the mileage to four miles per run.  It's definitely hard to get motivated when one's weekly mileage averaged between 25 and 35 miles pre-injury. I realize this is a necessary phase of rehab; however, it's still difficult. And it's definitely a mental thing...

January 25, 2013

Another brutal morning, replete with a cold north wind and sub-freezing temps.  I managed another three miles with no physical pain or discomfort in the right foot.  So far, so good.  Planning on boosting to four or five miles on Sunday, even though that is technically against medical advice! We'll see.  A couple of weeks until my final follow-up and it feels good.  Perhaps a tinge of soreness, but nothing even close to October's fear and loathing.

January 21, 2013

Another frigid three miles in the pre-dawn hours.  I am feeling great, as my legs and lungs continue to get stronger.  No foot issues.  Will add another mile on Wednesday...

January 17, 2013

Three frigid miles.  Three uneventful miles.  Three slooooow frigid and uneventful miles.  The urge to get back to the five and six mile maintenance runs is pretty intense; however, I have no desire to re-injure my foot, especially after dealing with it for the last three and a half months.  Slow times with an eye for mechanics is my reality.  On a positive note, I can feel my lungs and legs getting stronger, which is reassuring.  

January 15, 2013

An extremely frigid three miles to start the day.  16 degrees Fahrenheit with a slight breeze.  Once again, I have no foot pain, either post-run or 24-hours later.  Off to the gym for a chest and triceps workout this AM.

January 12, 2013

Cleared to run a "limited amount" by the doctor, I hit the road for a frigid four-miles yesterday.  Took it slow with an eye for mechanics and cadence.  No issues with the foot post-run or this morning.  I am hoping to run every other day for the next couple of weeks.  My final follow-up with the sports doctor guru is at the beginning of February, so I will have to wait a bit to get officially "cut loose."  In the mean time I will work on getting my legs and lungs back.

January 9, 2013

Misty Mountain fog and drizzle with temps in the 40s.  Three miles in a very slow and methodical fashion.  No foot discomfort, pain or tenderness ahead of today's evaluation.  I am anticipating being cut loose to begin running again.  The issue will be the limits, and there will be limits, that the doctor suggests in terms of mileage and/or frequency.

January 7, 2013

Out the door at 530 am.  Two miles in brutally frigid (27 degrees Fahrenheit) conditions.  I plan on hitting the road again Wednesday morning for a three-miler prior to heading to the orthopod on Thursday.  No foot issue today--but the real test will be Tuesday morning.

January 3, 2013

Hit the road this morning for the first time in what seems like an eternity. One mile. Around the block.  It was joyous, to say the least.  My follow-up appointment with the orthopod is next week and the physical therapy guru suggested I hit the road for exactly one mile or ten-minutes, whichever came first, to check for pain or tenderness.  Not being able to run has been a complete downer.  It is amazing how much I took it for granted when healthy.  It remains to be seen whether or not the physician will cut me loose and allow me to ease into a full-time schedule once again; however, I am ready to hit the road! I will definitely respect it. Always.