Swimming is good!

I made my first trip to the Healthplex for swimming today and it felt really good. I thought they were closing at 2:30 but it was 2:00 instead. So I got in about 25 minutes of swimming before I had to get out. I really think that was enough for my first time of exercising since my injury because I was really tired when I finished. I have a lot of lost time to make up and to rebuild my endurance. However, using the walker can be exhausting too, especially if I have very far to walk. It's so hard to believe that I won't be able to get back out there with you guys until the day of the half marathon. It's so depressing to think about it that way. My last run was our first time to do 7 miles and I only did 6½ because of my knee pain. Even though the doctor told me I would have no problem completing the training for Chicago, how is it going to be possible? I don't want to give up but I keep asking myself if I'll really be able to do it. You guys will have doubled my 6½ miles by the time I can return to just walking. How can I do this?!

Excited Again!

I am now an official member of the Jackson Baptist Healthplex. I'll be swimming like a duck to build up my endurance so I won't fall behind everyone during my recovery time. It's hard to get from my car to anywhere but I'm really looking forward to getting in the water. I started swimming at a very young age, even learned to water-ski at five years old. The two years we lived in South Carolina, I practiced with an adult swim team and really learned a lot. Having that experience is really going to help me during the next few weeks. Wish me luck guys! I hope everyone has a good 10-mile run tomorrow!

Blog on Marathoners!

Hey everyone!

I returned to work yesterday! Let me tell you something; it's slow moving with a walker! It seems like it takes me forever to get from my car to my desk, not to mention getting to the ladies room on the other side of the building. I feel like I'm developing my biceps without even using weights. . . I guess that's because I AM the weight! LOL Anyway, it's good to be back out among the world. But it will be such a long time before I can be back out there with all my marathoner friends. Six weeks feels like an eternity! I'm planning to go by the Jackson Baptist Healthplex one day this week to get set up for swimming after work. Anyone want to join me? I haven't been able to get on the recumbent bike because it hurts my tailbone (remember I lost my balance and landed on it about a week ago). It's getting better so it shouldn't be long before I can start the biking. The sooner the better so I can build my endurance so when I can get back out there with you guys, I'll be able to keep up.

Blog on Marathoners! I AM A MARATHONER!

I'll miss everyone!

Looks like I will be home bound for a few more days. Hopefully, I'll be able to go back to work Monday or Tuesday as long as I use my walker and remain at my desk except for restroom breaks. How sad is that? "Stay at your desk unless you really have to pee!" Talk about being chained to your desk. . . LOL No, really. . . I'm very lucky to have an employer who will accommodate my needs during this healing period. . . Thanks to Nina, our director of human resources (and fellow marathoner)! Believe me, she's going to make sure that I obey my doctor's orders because she expects me to be right there next to her, John and Connie in Chicago. I'm the one who convinced them to join MM so I have to be patient and get over this thing. I'm really going to miss my Saturdays until I can get back out there with you guys. The ONLY good thing about this is that I get to sleep in on Saturday. . .LOL Heck, I've slept in all week and it's getting a little old plus I'll soon be caught up on my TiVo. . .how boring is that?

Thanks to all for the encouraging comments. Blog on. . .cause I really want to stay in touch and I love reading what everyone is doing. Have a wonderful run tomorrow and let me know how it goes.

Bad News!

I guess it could be worse. . . at least I don't need surgery. I have a very bad bruise on one of the bones in my leg near my knee. Although it's not a fracture, it could be if I don't stay off of it for a few days. So, I'm at home staying off of it. I'm not on the cane anymore, I'm on a WALKER! I just can't believe this! Hopefully, I'll be able to go back to work next week, but I will still be using the walker and I'll have to be careful for SIX weeks. Even if I feel like it's fine, I can't do anything before six weeks, or it could make it worse. And to top thing off, Sunday night I lost my balance and fell flat on my tailbone! So, my left knee is very badly bruised, my right leg hurts from having to do all the work and now my butt hurts if I sit down wrong! Okay, this is where everyone should step back from your computer screen and roll on the floor laughing until you're in tears. Yes, sometimes I have to laugh to keep from crying, but I will get through this because I AM A MARATHONER AND I WILL BE IN CHICAGO IN OCTOBER. I may be just walking really fast, but I will be there!

Mark, I need you to work out a schedule for me that will get me caught up with the other MMers when this six-week period is up. My doctor has approved leg lifts with ankle weights, swimming and biking so I'll be doing that during this down time. Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. Oh, and prayers from everyone would be even more helpful! Not just for a speedy recovery, but for patience to get me there.

Thanks everyone - I love you all!

Blog on Marathoners - I'll be spending a lot of time reading all the fun stuff you're doing!

Saturday disappointment.

It was really great to see everyone out and excited about doing nine miles. I hope I'm ready for a few miles next week. It's been rough standing on the sidelines and watch you guys pass me by. I will go for my MRI tomorrow morning then I see the orthopaedic specialist Tuesday morning. I'm asking everyone to pray for me over the next couple of days that we find out there will be a quick and easy solution to my injury. I don't think it will be easy but there will be a solution. If there isn't, just know that I'm not quitting. I'll be doing whatever I can to help you guys cross that finish line on October 7 in Chicago whether its cheering you on or standing there with vaseline, water, maybe a little ice. I will be a part of the curb crew with Robin and Clark. I AM A MARATHONER!!!
Sheila

A little discouraged. . .

Boy, things can change overnight. . . literally. By the end of the day yesterday, I was feeling much better. . . then I got up this morning barely able to walk. I guess that the small bit of walking (with the cane) keeps things "limbered" up and then when I am still through the night, things stiffen up. So, I have to go through the whole process all over again. It's discouraging but I have faith that it's just a matter of time before all of this will seem like a bad dream.

Anyway, my doctor gave me a pamphlet with an interesting little "tidbit" I wanted to share with all of you. . . whether you're having knee problems or not.

A Matter of Fact
Runner's knee, or misaligned kneecap, is the most common knee problem for runners and joggers. It is estimated that about 25% to 35% of those who jog regularly in the U.S. suffer from this malady. The condition develops when the runner's ankle rolls inward with each step. This forces the kneecap into an unnatural sideways motion. Symptoms include pain behind the kneecap and some swelling as fluid collects. The condition is more frequent in women than in men and is also common among bicyclists and backpackers. Resting the knee is the best way to begin recovery.

That's why it is very important to keep in touch with our wonderful friends at Fleet Feet. They watch us walk and know how to fit us accordingly. Be careful guys, I AM NOT taking time off because I want to. . . I'm taking time off because I HAVE to and there's nothing fun about it. I can hardly wait to get back out there with all my marathoner friends! I'll see you guys Saturday morning, and if I see someone being careless. . . well, I'll just have to beat you with my cane!!!
LOL LOL LOL
I AM A MARATHONER!!!

Encouraged!

Well, after lying around all weekend, I got up this morning to get ready to see the orthopaedic specialist and didn't think I was going to make it. Both my knees hurt so bad I could barely walk. I made it to see the doctor and was very encouraged by what he told me. I left the doctor's office with a prescription for pain medication and a cane. I will need to do some in home exercises this week, then Monday I'm scheduled for an MRI just to rule out possible problems that can't be detected by regular x-rays. Hopefully, it's just really bad bruising of the cartilage under my kneecap. He says we have plenty of time before October to get things cleared up and I shouldn't try to get back into the full swing of things before I'm completely healed. So I'll be doing the home exercises plus the recumbent bicycle. I stopped to get the cane and headed for the pharmacy, came home, popped a pain pill and now I feel so much better and don't even need the cane. LOL I really think that feeling better is a combination of the pain pill and the relief that I haven't done permanent damage to my knee and I'll be going to Chicago with you guys after all! Thanks to all of you for your support and concern! Although I won't be able to participate just yet, I plan to see you all on Saturday.

You guys are great!

I really wish I could be there tomorrow, but not knowing how far I would have to walk to meet up with you guys. . . it hurts just to think about it. Believe me, I don't want to miss it. I have an appointment with an orthopaedic specialist Monday morning then I'll know more about how long I will have to take off to get this thing healed. So in the meantime, I'll be sitting on the couch, icing my knee and watching TiVo. Hopefully, I'll be back out there with ya'll next weekend.

Have a great run and I want to hear all about it. Blog on Marathoners!

Backsliding . . .

Well, it was a short reprieve. I can barely walk. I'm starting to look like a duck as it waddles along slowly looking for a pond to paddle around instead of walk. I think it's going to take a visit to a specialist to figure this one out. It's so frustrating and I just want some relief! Although it's my right knee that's giving me the problem, my left knee is starting to hurt. That's why I look like a duck!

Unless things change, I will be missing my FIRST Saturday with the group. Man, I've really been proud to have the "perfect attendance" thing going. Of course, it takes more than being there every Saturday to get to Chicago. It's definitely going to take more determination and positive thinking to get me back on the road. This week I've felt "positive" that I'm out. I don't want to feel that way! But it's hard not to when the pain is so bad. It really makes me wonder if this is it.

Please keep me in your prayers that I will start to improve and make a speedy recovery. I really want to be out there with you guys every step of the way. If I don't see you Saturday, I hope you have a fun at the Cannonball Run and a wonderful 8 miles!

Thanks Everyone!

Thanks to everyone for your support since my "injury." I'm a little better today; at least I don't look like someone who should be on crutches. ;o) I'm trying really hard to walk in my normal gait, but slower, so that all the other parts of my body don't get sore and out of wack from the limping. It has been really frustrating but I'm hanging in there. I was so excited about finally adding running to my training and now I have to start over to some degree. I just hope this doesn't drag on so I can get back out there with you guys and make it to Chicago on time.

Be careful out there Marathoners - this part is not fun at all!! Blog on!