Today, I finally ran

I have been thinking about the following post from track star Lolo Jones over the past month, as this day was drawing closer and closer:

I realize she's a runner, and it literally is her job, but she had the same surgery as I did, about a month after I did. And there she was, posting something like a mere SIX weeks after surgery that she was "finally" running again.

Ugh, if that's not a mental kick in the face, I don't know what is. She's already fast, talented, that amazing mix of, like, 5 ethnicities, and now she's also totally kicking my ass in recovering from surgery?!?!?

Yeah, yeah. I know. It's her job, recovery was all she did. That fact did not take any sting out of it at all.

I won't lie, I was hopeful when I woke up this morning that today might be the day. I wasn't sure, so I didn't want to jinx it by bringing the Mizunos I had bought last year that have not been worn at all, just waiting for their time to shine. So, I wore my trusty Newtons instead, which will likely have to be retired soon.

I warmed up on the elliptical, chatted with PT, he did his mobility checks, seemed pleased and then we went to plyometrics. I jumped on the trampoline (two feet, jog in place, twice on each foot). Then some ladder drills and then he says, "well, I guess we will get you on the treadmill." I grin like an idiot, and say "Really?!!?"

I do some high knee and butt kicker drills, then wait for PT and grin at one of the interns and say "This is the best day, ever!" She laughs. Then .... it's treadmill time. Who knew I'd be so excited about that?!?!?

Walked for about 4 minutes, then another minute at a brisker pace and then TWO WHOLE MINUTES OF RUNNING! Walked for another minute and did another minute and a half. PT said I had good form, there is a slight dip in my right hip, which is not surprising, but nothing that makes him think I can't run.

So, I get to wait a few days and see how I feel, then run/walk (okay really jog/walk) for 8-10 minutes and go from there.

Lolo, this is finally running.

"I Wanna Run, Dude!"

I woke up the morning of last week's PT appointment, feeling like I hadn't gotten the good 7 hours of sleep that I actually had, like it wasn't the first time in weeks I didn't wake up in the middle of the night. I already knew Jeffery wasn't getting a morning walk today. I just felt so sluggish, I immediately became selfish and opted for some ball throwing instead. 

Maybe coffee would help. The very thought of coffee seemed to unappetizing, but I figured, "Well, I did eat at 9:30 pm last night. Why would anything sound good right now?" But, I made it anyway, blended in my butter, coconut oil and collagen protein (oh, BTW, I've gone Bulletproof for breakfast and mostly paleo for the rest of my meals - oddly, no I don't miss carbs that much). 

I got dressed, packed my work clothes, gave Jeff some love and headed for physical therapy. For the first time, I was 5 minutes late. 

PT asks how I am.

"I don't feel great, actually, but my hip feels good."

Didn't want him to think the not feeling great had anything to do with the hip, even though it was a little stiff. But hey, I did more over the past two weeks. Went back to the elliptical, more squats, the single leg buffet - those changes mean a more stiff hip for awhile, right?

He asks what is going on, and I say I don't really know. I just had a delicious decaff lavender latte with honey and almond milk last night, but it feels like I had two bottles of champagne instead. 

"Hmmm."

No, really. I just had the latte. It wasn't spiked. I promise. 

"Your hip is a little more stiff than usual."

"Oh?" I say, "Did you also know there is a wireless modem above your head?"

PT doesn't get distracted, and spends a lot more time on mobility than he usually does. Some amount of time later, he says,

"I think we should just make today a mobility day, since  your hip is just a little tight and you aren't feeling well."

"Noooooooo," I say.

"No?"

"I wanna run, dude! We were supposed to start plyometrics today!" My voice sounds a little more whiny than I intend. But, I am not feeling well and I can't help it. I can feel my eyes start to well up, and small tears spill out despite my efforts not to. This can't be happening. Eight months. It's been eight freaking months. I've been patient. I've been a [mostly] good patient. 

It's quiet for a bit, unusual, because I'm usually super chatty. I finally say, "If you insist, I'm coming back next week."

"That's fine."

"But I really want to work today."

So he agrees that if I can do squats without pinching, then I can do plyometrics. I squat, repeatedly, and it doesn't hurt. He looks at me, and I swear I'm not lying. By the look on PTs face, he doesn't want to let me start this, but he is standing by his word. 

He gets out the agility ladder and we run a few drills. I already can't remember if I did two or three ... so I'll have to Google that later. Then, I go on the trampoline, jump for 3 rounds of 20 seconds on both feet, then jog in place for 3 rounds of 20 seconds. Then, I repeat the same thing on the floor. 

PT watches me closely on the floor and when I'm done, he asks if I have any pain. I say I don't. 

He says he's surprised at how well I tolerated it, that there wasn't any buckling at all. I wasn't surprised, but he doesn't know I was doing burpees the other day. 

I sincerely thank him for letting me do that. He says, 

"I was reluctant to let you, but you looked good."

"I know," I say, "that's why I mean it when I say 'Thank you'."

He says he will see me in two weeks and to get 3-4 rounds of those drills in, on top of the other exercises. You all know I will. 

I narrowly avoided one of the biggest mental setbacks in this whole recovery. My emotions didn't know what to do with all the tears that had been prepped to spill. So, I ellipticalled. 

Constant. Forward. Progress.