400M PR 4min 58sec

Howdy friends! I missed you :) I feel like I don't have a whole lot to tell you... But, I'm sure once I get started I will find plenty to blah blah blog about.

The boot is officially retired unless of course I decide to do some sort of hiking adventure, but I just don't have that on the docket so I think we're all safe...well I am...for now.

This past week I discovered that I can walk a 400 meter loop (one lap around the track) in 4 minutes 58 seconds!!! This is exciting and also deflating. I am happy to be walking sans boot and I am sad that I am being lapped multiple times by the kids at the track. There has been some swelling in the ankle region as I push myself more, but that seems to be subsiding.



For the record, this guy is Jeremy Wariner and he is a Track and Field gold medalist. He can go around the track 5-6 times in the time I go 400m. His time in Indianapolis this past weekend was 44.67 secs!


I still walk with a limp and anytime I have been OFF of my foot for a bit and I get up to go again it feels like I am starting over! First thing in the morning is THE WORST!!! I feel like a gremlin got in there in the middle of the night and tightened it up another inch! Once I get moving I do pretty O.K. but sometimes (like when I'm trying for my PR {personal record} in the 400m) I'm feeling so good and then I think, "I bet I could jog," and then say I jog about ten steps and THEN it hurts again and I'm sad and depressed again and I think I'm never gonna be normal again... :(

Who am I kidding, normal? Again? .....Well, you know what I mean :)

SIDE NOTE RE: A FELLOW ACHILLES TENDON RUPTURER:
So, there is a fresh new ATR out there and my heart just breaks for him. His name is John Orozco and he is a great young gymnast. This weekend was the Visa Championships in Hartford Connecticut. This competition qualifies athletes to Worlds which is generally a preview of the Olympics. I am so sad for John, but have great hope that his determination and - let's face it - his youth will have him back in time for LONDON 2012!!! Fingers Crossed.

*By the way, John's gymnastics was a lot more impressive than my round-off back handspring back tuck...
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BACK TO ME, "CUZ THAT'S JUST THE WAY I AM:

Stay tuned for my new PR in the 400, I hope to knock off a few seconds this evening and I'll keep you posted...as long as it's a success ;P

Nine days until the next appointment and I'll hopefully have an idea when PT
(physical therapy) can start.

Ba da ba da ba da that's all folks!

Since there is no more boot there are really no more adventures of where the boot has been. I do have this one last pic of the boot about to go to sea :)

The Boot on Lake Michigan along the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Shoreline about to be happily sent to Davy Jones Locker ;)

Have a great day! Keep on keepin' on!

Achilles Rupture and Road to Recovery: More Progress More Frustration

Achilles Rupture and Road to Recovery: More Progress More Frustration: "I guess I'm just in a dumpy kind of place right now. I shouldn't be. I just got back from a great girls getaway. I have a beautiful famil..."

More Progress More Frustration

I guess I'm just in a dumpy kind of place right now. I shouldn't be. I just got back from a great girls getaway. I have a beautiful family. I am walking with and without the boot! But sometimes I just get in the dumps. I'm sad (and grateful) that the girls getaway couldn't last a little longer. I am nostalgic (and proud) that my family is getting so big and independent. And I am disheartened (and impressed) with the progress I am making on this Achilles rupture and road to recovery.

Maybe it's because I am a Gemini? Sign of the twins, the yin and the yang, back and forth, blah blah blah... I guess the good thing is at least I can recognize the positives even when I'm feeling negative
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Here is the quick update:

• I am walking without the boot around the house and I can already see my calf muscle getting stronger. That feels great!

• I am still unable to stand on my toes even in the pool. When I discovered that unfathomable weakness, it just about brought me to tears...I don't know why? I mean I have been with me every step of the way. I should realize it's just the next step in the process. But, not being able to go on my tippy-toes EVEN UNDER WATER really kicked me in the face and reminded me that there is still a long way to go.

• Yesterday I walked 400M ON LAND without the boot!!!

I ended up doing it without shoes too :-P

As it turns out the incision area is still very tender and I could not tolerate the shoes for too long. The funny thing was I totally felt like a little kid walking around in daddy's shoes as I slid into my tennies for the first time and awkwardly clomped around in my bedroom!




I was on my feet a lot yesterday and had some pretty significant swelling, so I watched SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE and iced that puppy!
(I like to pretend that's a poster of me).




I am at once limited AND strong and I just have to keep reminding myself to look at this experience from the right perspective. I am blessed to be surrounded by people who remind me to just keep going :)

No excuses!

I came across this next link via Facebook and my friends at Oakland County CrossFit. They have not only helped to keep me sane but have been supportive and motivating along this entire journey. I still get frustrated with myself but I am also inspired by others. If you have a few minutes watch Kyle Maynard. He isn't waiting for something as easy as an Achilles to heal...He just not waiting PERIOD.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ0VgKGophI


AND NOW that you all may feel a little lazy but hopefully INSPIRED, here comes the traveling boot section of the blog :)

First stop the Trophy Room at Boyne Mountain

Next stop the boot in a tree in Petoskey

I call this Adventures with PETOSKEY PEDICAB!
I highly recommend them :)
Josh and Calvin were delightful hosts and gentlemen
They didn't make one comment about our weight
P.S. Josh is taking the picture

The boot works the booty with BABY GOT BACK
Karaoke night at Giuseppe's in Charlevoix
If you go there say HI to Ray the bartender! He was also the bouncer and kept us safe!

The Boot on the Mountain
going down the chairlift

Good Bye Up North --- for now

For now the boot is home. I still wear it when I leave the house, but I will be wearing less and less over the next week or so!

Thanks for checking in! I love feed back! It's also fun to share with your friends :) Pass it on!!!