12.18.2011
9.06.2011
Still hangin
Maybe my blogger days were left behind when I left the Ironman-solid thighs behind? Not sure, but I am amazed by the blogs I read whose authors write long, funny, picture-filled posts ever single day. Sure, I did that once upon a time, but that was when I didn't work very hard (at work) and spent most of my time thinking about my athletic endeavors. I get the feeling my bloggy friends have the ability to do all, and I'm amazed.
I don't have my official doctor-interpreted-to-English MRI report, but I do have the results, and it includes words such as: "osteoarthritis," "extensive soft tissue edema," and "consider further MRI."
Soooo...we shall see. I tried to ride outside over the weekend, and unfortunately the clip-out motion aggravates the heck out of Angry Ankle. So back on the spin bike I go; perhaps this will prompt me to set up the new trainer I've had for a year and a half (thanks, Duke triathlon). Several people, including my mom's hardcore bike mechanic - who supports most domestic IM races - suggested I swap out my Look pedals for the old school platform pedals. I just cannot bring myself to do that. Some pride remains.
In the meantime, I am dreaming up ways to decorate the boot for a gala I have to attend for work next week. In a room full of 600 feds and corporate sponsors at a black tie event, I guarantee I'll be the only one in a boot and a running shoe!
I don't have my official doctor-interpreted-to-English MRI report, but I do have the results, and it includes words such as: "osteoarthritis," "extensive soft tissue edema," and "consider further MRI."
Soooo...we shall see. I tried to ride outside over the weekend, and unfortunately the clip-out motion aggravates the heck out of Angry Ankle. So back on the spin bike I go; perhaps this will prompt me to set up the new trainer I've had for a year and a half (thanks, Duke triathlon). Several people, including my mom's hardcore bike mechanic - who supports most domestic IM races - suggested I swap out my Look pedals for the old school platform pedals. I just cannot bring myself to do that. Some pride remains.
In the meantime, I am dreaming up ways to decorate the boot for a gala I have to attend for work next week. In a room full of 600 feds and corporate sponsors at a black tie event, I guarantee I'll be the only one in a boot and a running shoe!
8.26.2011
The boot
Because you know what would be AWESOME, when you thought you'd finally recovered, and spent 3 solid months putting in solid miles and feel like maybe you're back on track to be Pre-Grad School, Pre-Injury, kind of Mo (maybe even the Iron-Mo kind, if spirit if not in actuality)?
This.
On Saturday after a ride - first ride on the W&OD, not actually as scary or traffic-filled as I've feared for the past year, and actually kind of nice - I noticed my Bad Ankle was looking a little weird. Like, swelling out like a tumor on its side. Hmm. On Sunday I ran 17 with the group, and felt great. Love how the miles go so much faster when you're running with 5 others. I even used my new fancy sweat-sucking $15 Feetures which kept me from getting sweat-sloshy til about mile 16 (a vast improvement over the past few weeks. I could still wring them out once we were done, but it wasn't a geyser). Anyway. Near the end I could feel something and when I pulled off the compression beauties....voila. Same tumor-like growth, which all of my running buds could see.
I went home and took an ice bath, and tried not to think about it. Actually, I was in the midst of looking up orthopedists that are runner-friendly when my computer died. Died, dead, done. Cooked. I spent the next 3.5 hrs at my friend's apt, as he tried to save it. He saved all the documents (hooray!) but the hard drive is dead. So couldn't think about next steps til I arrived at work on Monday.
Long story short, my friend's friend was able to get me in with a runner-friendly orthopedic practice (that happens to specialize in foot/ankle AND happens to be on my insurance, glory be) this week. They think I've re-torn the tendon, and if I keep running, it will tear off the bone. SO, MRI for me on Monday night to see whether or not it's torn, and in the boot til Sept 19 at least.
F.
I was psyched for Parks, on Sept 11. MCM is not totally out, but if they don't think I am totally healed I don't want to risk it just for another notch on my belt. And I really, really don't want another 6-12 month layoff from running.
In the meantime, I must find bathing suit and get into pool for water run, and I'm allowed to ride (stationary and real bike). But really, the greatest test of all is going to be Metro. It took me 30 minutes to walk my normal 10 min loop with the dog last night, so I can only imagine how long it's going to take me to get to work. I probably should have left already!
This.
On Saturday after a ride - first ride on the W&OD, not actually as scary or traffic-filled as I've feared for the past year, and actually kind of nice - I noticed my Bad Ankle was looking a little weird. Like, swelling out like a tumor on its side. Hmm. On Sunday I ran 17 with the group, and felt great. Love how the miles go so much faster when you're running with 5 others. I even used my new fancy sweat-sucking $15 Feetures which kept me from getting sweat-sloshy til about mile 16 (a vast improvement over the past few weeks. I could still wring them out once we were done, but it wasn't a geyser). Anyway. Near the end I could feel something and when I pulled off the compression beauties....voila. Same tumor-like growth, which all of my running buds could see.
I went home and took an ice bath, and tried not to think about it. Actually, I was in the midst of looking up orthopedists that are runner-friendly when my computer died. Died, dead, done. Cooked. I spent the next 3.5 hrs at my friend's apt, as he tried to save it. He saved all the documents (hooray!) but the hard drive is dead. So couldn't think about next steps til I arrived at work on Monday.
Long story short, my friend's friend was able to get me in with a runner-friendly orthopedic practice (that happens to specialize in foot/ankle AND happens to be on my insurance, glory be) this week. They think I've re-torn the tendon, and if I keep running, it will tear off the bone. SO, MRI for me on Monday night to see whether or not it's torn, and in the boot til Sept 19 at least.
F.
I was psyched for Parks, on Sept 11. MCM is not totally out, but if they don't think I am totally healed I don't want to risk it just for another notch on my belt. And I really, really don't want another 6-12 month layoff from running.
In the meantime, I must find bathing suit and get into pool for water run, and I'm allowed to ride (stationary and real bike). But really, the greatest test of all is going to be Metro. It took me 30 minutes to walk my normal 10 min loop with the dog last night, so I can only imagine how long it's going to take me to get to work. I probably should have left already!
4.12.2011
A fine reason to blog again: Illicit Guide Dogs
A five month hiatus from blogging, and what made me think it would be a good idea to post? Not my Cherry Blossom 10-mile race, which I completed on April 3 (maybe I'll get around to that...first race in 18 months since my Really Bad Fall derailed my running career). Not getting my ass out of bed at 4:45 AM this morning to go running with a running group that meets at 5 (WTH). Not signing up to be a buddy runner for Girls on the Run. Nope. It was a fake Guide Dog on Metro.
Yesterday I went to a meeting in Rosslyn with my boss and our EVP. On our way back to downtown on Metro, we saw a “guide dog” who was wearing a doggy backpack with a patch that said “guide dog” on it. It was like this dog, below, but its hair was cut so you could see its eyes (thanks, Wikipedia, for the image) (for the record, it's a Hunagarian Puli. Who knew? I described it to my colleague, and she figured it out).
I had suspicions immediately, but they grew when the dog jumped onto the Metro seat and began licking its owner's face, and sitting in the seat like a person would ride.
But the shenanigans were confirmed when the owner also got off at Metro Center and the dog refused to get on the escalator. The lady was literally trying to drag him onto it, and he wouldn't budge. She finally dropped the leash and he bounded up the escalator, looking back the whole time as if he couldn't believe he was getting to take this ride.
I'm not sure where Metro Police was for this little charade.
Yesterday I went to a meeting in Rosslyn with my boss and our EVP. On our way back to downtown on Metro, we saw a “guide dog” who was wearing a doggy backpack with a patch that said “guide dog” on it. It was like this dog, below, but its hair was cut so you could see its eyes (thanks, Wikipedia, for the image) (for the record, it's a Hunagarian Puli. Who knew? I described it to my colleague, and she figured it out).
I had suspicions immediately, but they grew when the dog jumped onto the Metro seat and began licking its owner's face, and sitting in the seat like a person would ride.
But the shenanigans were confirmed when the owner also got off at Metro Center and the dog refused to get on the escalator. The lady was literally trying to drag him onto it, and he wouldn't budge. She finally dropped the leash and he bounded up the escalator, looking back the whole time as if he couldn't believe he was getting to take this ride.
I'm not sure where Metro Police was for this little charade.
My dad has often joked that we should strap a pack on Turkey, call her a guide dog, and take her anywhere. At least Turkey would look the part! For all our joking about it, I was shocked to see it actually in play. The lady seemed a little “off,” too...but that's pretty much par for the course on Metro.
11.15.2010
I could not hate cancer more if I tried
because yesterday it took my aunt, Betsy, 56 years young, after just a 4 1/2 month battle. By the time they found it, it was already hugely metastasized to her liver. She never had a chance. Thank goodness for Massachusetts Health Insurance, which at least allowed her to fight with dignity and without pain.
One day I will resume writing again, though at one year and one week since my accident, I'm still not able to run. Somehow writing about the elliptical is just not as fun, or as interesting. Now that it's cold and dark (and I live in scary Northern VA and not lovely, rolling, rural NC) I am also off the bike. Writing about my 40-minute walk with the dog just seems to pale in comparison to my old ironman jaunts and tales.
Happily, I am no longer an employee of the US Government, so at least I can write about things and go to political rallies without fear of retribution.
And no pantyhose. Ever.
8.28.2010
Philly recap, part 1
well, written by Philly Jen, cause I haven't done my own write-up yet. This basically is all about what I missed because I live far from Philly (Friday night and Saturday morning activities) and what I missed when I was stuck in I-95 traffic (Saturday afternoon Fatty Feed and activities). I got to Blue Bell just in time to check in, go to the hotel and drive to the top fundraisers' dinner.
My writeup will come soon, I promise...but first I have to go buy more thank you notes. Which from a fundraising standpoint is a really good "problem" to have.
Livestrong Philly Recap by Philly Jen of Team Fatty
My writeup will come soon, I promise...but first I have to go buy more thank you notes. Which from a fundraising standpoint is a really good "problem" to have.
Livestrong Philly Recap by Philly Jen of Team Fatty
8.14.2010
working world
Still not wearin' pantyhose, and this week I even dared to wear (*gasp*) open toed shoes! The horror! I am just daring someone to say something to me.
I've had two trips to my new chiropractor, who has beaten the crap out of my IT band with Graston technique. (As soon as I can find my camera cord, I'll post a picture of the bruises). Unfortunately, I am not super comfortable with her, so I am going to a new guy next week. He doesn't do Graston, but hopefully he's still good. Not being able to relax enough to be adjusted sort of defeats the purpose of visiting a chiropractor!
Next Sunday is the LiveStrong ride. I'm super excited about it, and looking forward to meeting the rest of Team Fatty. Fatty himself won't be there, but it will still be an amazing weekend!
I've had two trips to my new chiropractor, who has beaten the crap out of my IT band with Graston technique. (As soon as I can find my camera cord, I'll post a picture of the bruises). Unfortunately, I am not super comfortable with her, so I am going to a new guy next week. He doesn't do Graston, but hopefully he's still good. Not being able to relax enough to be adjusted sort of defeats the purpose of visiting a chiropractor!
Next Sunday is the LiveStrong ride. I'm super excited about it, and looking forward to meeting the rest of Team Fatty. Fatty himself won't be there, but it will still be an amazing weekend!
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