Back on the Wagon

I'm back on the wagon, albeit a very creaky, rickety wagon.  PT John gave me the "OK" to try running again.  I've run 5 minutes the past 8 out of 10 days. (Actually, I added another 5 minutes yesterday...) Slow. Awkward.  It's ok in that I haven't experienced any additional swelling out of it.  I'm a bit stiff in the mornings, but no real pain.  Only one day, on an indoor track (as opposed to outside on a flat field) did I encounter a flash of moving pain, enough to cause me to stop before my 5-minute indulgence.  I'm guessing a tight plantar fascia, so I am back to wearing my Strassburg Sock at night.   It's helping.  I also feel like I am still dropping my right hip.  I will further discuss this with PT John.  If anyone has suggestions to that, let me know.

I'm still continuing the hot/cold bath.  I've added strengthening exercises-- one-legged balancing while picking up scattered objects (a variation on the childhood games of 52 pick-up or pick-up sticks) and squats on the upside down Bosu ball.

As I reflect on the last five months (and 2 days since surgery, but who's counting?)....and the last five years..... I am walking without pain.  I am able to stand all day (teaching) without pain and swelling.   It seems that the surgery has helped these symptoms; however, I am still facing the compensations of the last five years.  Non-runners probably don't understand why I keep struggling, running.  I've always felt that anyone can run, no real skills needed; it's the mental game that must be overcome.  The confidence that I can, and I will. It is, by far, the greatest tool in my arsenal for confidence.  That is why I keep struggling, trying to persevere, overcome.

My running friend, Steph, posted an article from The Wall Street Journal, OK, You're a Runner. Get Over It.  on her Facebook page.  Hilarious.  I mostly love the comments from her FB friends condemning this guy as "a very angry jerk."  For us longtime runners, we run because we  love it -- it defines us in a sense, and I think that is why I find this commentary funny, as opposed to cranky.  Worth the read.