So, what can I expect over the next month? I asked DN, my PT lady, as she rubbed down my left leg after my session on Thursday. DN had been bandying around the notion of 1-day-a-week PT, and slowly building up to pavement running, and I wanted to know how it was all going to play out. I was excited, but I was also nervous. I am concerned about re-injury, and about being dismayed at how much fitness I may have lost. No candy-coating, I told her.
DN confirmed that we’ll be taking it slowly. First, she’s going to analyze my stride and make corrections for me to work on. Then, I’ll have to build up to 20 minutes or so of continuous running on the treadmill, then I’ll start with 10 minutes running on the pavement–flat pavement, no hills. Hills will come later. At the same time, I’ll be continuing with my strength, balance and core exercises, adding more difficult moves & heavier weights. Sounds like a second job, but hey–if it means I’ll have running back in my life, I will do it. And she said yes, I would most likely be frustrated by not having the cardio & aerobic fitness to back up my newfound muscle strength. So, even though I’m technically running again, I’m not in the clear–if I ramp things up too quickly I could aggravate my adductor brevis; and I’m certainly not past the emotional bummer of feeling physically weak and less-than.
I am glad, though, that she answered my question straight. Lately, I feel like the few times I’ve asked a serious question of others, the responses that come back are either wisecracks, evasive, or just plain nonexistent. Few things irk me more than having my big questions ignored, or dismissed–especially if I’ve repeated them, and explained how helpful and meaningful a thoughtful answer would be. It’s as if I’m being ignored, or dismissed. It’s good DN didn’t dick around, I’d have gotten mad.
This holiday weekend I am at the Poconos house with Husband and Matilda. Friday I laid on the deck in my bikini reading, yesterday I laid on the couch reading, and today it looks like I’ll be able to lay on the deck again. I’ve been taking 2-mile walks every day (that’s about as long as I can stand it without going crazy with boredom. It takes forever to complete a mile) to get my body acclimated to the pavement, and I do my strength/balance and core exercises on alternate days. Last night I had a non-drink with BG, my Pennsylvania running buddy, at the Pub in the Pines. I’d been drinking white wine all day (oops!) so by the time 9:30 PM rolled around, I had moved on to Diet Pepsi and water (not in the same glass). BG had a Guinness, and we talked about our injuries–he had shattered his collarbone just four days before I pulled my muscle–and our recoveries. He’s planning on a Fall marathon; meanwhile, just the thought scares the shit out of me. If I didn’t know any better, I would have said say I’m a little gun shy about the training for the epic 26.2.
Which reminds me–just want to make sure I’ve been clear, because it came up as a point of confusion with someone two weeks ago–I am not running New York (even though the plan back in January had been to run it with Brother); I am not running a Fall marathon. I’ll barely be healed up in time to begin training. Also, I am more interested in running London in 2010, and if I run NYC on November 1, I won’t be fully recovered before it’s time to start training again. No way am I putting myself back in that risky situation again; I learned the hard way that my body simply isn’t up for two marathons within six months of each other.
Pigtails Flying 
Methinks you should put the thought of racing almost out of you mind. The caveat is that your thoughts should go to slowly, safely building a base that will set you up for when you are ready to race again. No need to focus on anything except the idea that each run gets you a wee bit stronger so that when you are ready to think of racing again you’ll be that much better able to do it.
Of course you properly are not doing NY 2009.
It sounds like DN — and I think you can refer to her as your “PT” and not your “PT lady” — is very much on the ball about trying to figure out and remedy the cause of your trouble and keeping a tight rein over getting back to it. I know; getting it right is the most important thing.
Broken collarbone? Been there, done that. For me, several years after the accident (on a run), I had shoulder issues that had been dormant but were taken care of with arthroscopic surgery.
Yes, I am with you on everything you’ve said, Joe. I’ve got the four Media Challenge races up on my race schedule, and the GMR, but I’m not delusional — I know I won’t be actually “racing” them. They will be part of my safe basebuilding, so that I can ultimately run the Blatimore Half without pain or reinuury.
Part of me sighs with resignation at the process, and part of me smiles at the prospect of no pressure for a few more months.
Yes, lying around drinking white wine. Let’s work on our stride.
Well, if you’re not running NY, perhaps you’d like a spectating buddy in November?
If it makes you feel any better your post injury, loss of fitness level could still kick my “this is it… hey, can I borrow your lighter?” level.
1 more week until my car is gone and I become a cyclist!
*gulp*
I am supremely interested in your cycling experiment. A coworker has recently started running again (I fear I shamed him into it) but has not yet given up smoking. After each 2-miler, he texts me “I think I’m gonna die.” I, of course, text back, “Ah hahahaha HA HA etc.!”
no sweat, big sister. i wouldn’t want to embarrass you in your own city, anyway. consider yourself lucky!
Your book review is excellent, I love it!
I hope your PT goes well. I was very skeptical of PT my first trip through, and it actually went great. Even now, I have lingering issues (PFS), and think back to the exercises and encouragement from my PT sessions.