It's almost Go Time!

YIKES. Is it really September? Seriously? The good news? It's almost time for my Return to Running comeback. The bad news? The days are getting shorter (and darker) as we (reluctantly) bid summer farewell.

The previous week felt like so much of a roller coaster. This week, though, felt much more calm...kind of like a peaceful ride on a tranquil lake. And, it feels like the recovery has finally turned a significant corner.....here's what went down:

Monday-2 miles
Eager for an easy "recovery" day, I opted for a short 2-miler in the wee hours. The neat thing about these early morning jaunts, is that most of the city is still asleep. I literally had the entire town to myself, or at the very least, an entire street...so why stop, drop, and plank in the middle of it? Because I can! Another #nevermissaMonday in the books.

Planking in the middle of a street? Sure, why not?

Tuesday-5.5 miles
Another chilly morning, but it always feels good to be outside, regardless.Also, later in the evening, my friend, Barb, met me for a much-needed 5K "catch-up" (you know, when it's not so much about the miles but the conversation).

I'm grateful for every sunrise...even if they're coming later and later...

Wednesday-5 miles
I was headed out for a quick 2-miler, and Max gave me this look. Anyone with a dog knows what I'm talking about...the big brown eyes, pleading, looking so deeply into my soul....so I grabbed his leash and brought him along with me. Of course, we stopped numerous times (maybe 10?), but he was so excited to be out walking with his mommy that we definitely had a fast pace. No regrets. I also had some sister time with my sister...via a late afternoon walk.

How could I say, "No" to this face?

Guess what also happened on Wednesday? I registered for my first Return To Running race! It's only a 5K, but it will feel like an ultra experience, given the past 12 weeks of my life. Although I think it's kind of cheesy for a 5K to come with a medal (unless you're in the top of your age group, etc.), this medal will represent so much more than the finish line...it's a race at my alma mater (the University of Iowa), and the event benefits the Iowa Dance Marathon (which raises funds every year for kids with cancer). The medal is huge (from the pics) and has a bottle opener on it.

I'm excited to add this baby to my hardware collection!

Thursday-5 miles
As I was getting ready to head out at 5:00 for my #5Kat5 with Barb, the hubby asked if I'd wait for him. So, the three of us walked in the early morning hours. I hadn't really noticed the days getting shorter in the morning hours...but now I have almost total darkness until just before I arrive back to my house (usually between 5:45-6:00). What's up with that?

Ann early morning walking and talking trio

Friday-2 miles
After three continuous days of 5 miles, a very slow-paced, easy day was on tap for  Friday (and I embraced it with open arms). A 2-miler in the chilly early hours, and that's all she wrote (and walked).

It's official...the first " thumb hole walk" was documented for the fall season...and it's not even technically fall yet

Saturday -5.5 miles
I woke up at exactly 5:00 without an alarm. I didn't want to leave the house so early, since it was Saturday and I'd have virtually all morning to walk. I laid back down for a quick 30-minute snooze...and woke up almost three hours later. Oops. My body has been feeling kind of fatigued lately, and I choose to listen to what it was telling me. I had hoped to walk five miles, but settled for four instead. and had ZERO guilt in cutting it short. I'm so close to returning to running, I have nothing to gain by overdoing the walking.

Another cool morning...

Later, the hubby and I ventured down the road to Iowa State University (Ames, IA) for their evening football game, hosting the University of Northern Iowa. Ironically, the hubby and I are University of Iowa alumni. Our oldest daughter graduated from ISU (May 2016), though, so we do have a solid connection to ISU (and paid for 4-years worth of tuition LOL). Although there is a huger-than-huge inner-state rival between Iowa and ISU, we are all  one state, after all. The hubby and I don't believe in rooting against our rivals unless it's game day and they're our opponents. #IowaProud

No hating on our alma mater's inner-state rival

Sunday - 4 miles
Well, it was another "sleeping in" kind of morning. Having returned home late from the football game, my body, mind, and soul were mucho tired. How tired? I usually wake up before my 5:00 alarm...but this particular morning I woke up just after 7:30.  I didn't want to walk super far, but I wanted to get outside and get my morning started (albeit slowly and later than usual).

I decided to pull out my Mizuno Wave Inspires...they have been quietly hibernating ever since Grandma's Marathon (June 17th). I had not wanted to wear them down with all of my walking (and have been using several other pairs from my arsenal), but I felt it was time to give them some action. As we (the hubby was with me) were nearing the final 1/2 mile, I had to stop and take a pic of this hill....it's about an entire mile...and I have not been on it since sometime before the marathon. I decided that this hill, right here, is gonna be one of the first conquests when I'm back running...and that day is drawing very near.

Reunited with the Mizuno Wave Inspires

So, there's another week in the wraps. My mileage is staying steady (29 miles this week), but I'm keeping it more moderate now in prepping for my big return to running. I have done a couple of slow, easy 50-meter (approx.) jogs and all feels good. Actually, all feels very well, indeed, but I am not going to run (or jog) any further until I have my surgeon's approval (I see him again on the 14th). As I have said numerous times, I have nothing to gain by overdoing it, especially this late in the game.

In case you missed them, here's what was posted last week:
The Recovery RoLlEr CoAsTeR
Assessing August
Can we talk? Over coffee?

Road to Recovery update:
Mobility is feeling awesome! Everything is feeling good. The walking, climbing (and descending) steps, and getting in/out of a car are no longer concerns. Even the few short mini-jogs felt pretty "normal."

Range of Motion seems to all of a sudden be going through a major upswing. Just this week, I had the revelation that it may be more of a joint stiffness thing (than a tight suture scar) that is at play. After all, I have not been bending my right knee much at all since early June. I have been slowly and very carefully bending the knee a tiny bit more each day. I'm still not able to do any deep squats or lunges, but I can definitely bend the knee further than 90 degrees now. Slow progress is, after all, progress, right?

The suture site is actually feeling better. The scar continues to lighten in color and it appears that tiny pinhead-size opening is officially closed. (and all draining has ceased). Who wants to join me in a round of "Amen!" That said, I know the suture seam is still vulnerable, so I know I have to NOT put any unnecessary strain on it (hence the moderate mileage instead of the crazy high mileage a few weeks ago). The swelling around the site has also continued to diminish (so both knees are almost back to being the same size).

Not the greatest pic(s)...but the color is fading (on right) and swelling is reduced

In other news:
Did you see my #FridayFashionFlair post this week (on my Instagram page )? I had no idea so many others had a fondness for camo! As I said in the post, it's not necessarily a look for a corporate setting, but it's still a fun alternative for semi-casual wear. This is not the battleground, so be careful you don't go too casual (or sloppy) with your accessories. I wore my vest with a long-sleeved top, black shorts, and black flats. I hope you'll consider joining me...post a pic on Friday, use the hashtag #FridayFashionFlair and tag me (@runningonthefly)....and I'll tag you back.

My take on camo...

I got to share a #Kimfession (kind of like a confession or a #runfession, but on a much more personal level). So here it is...I have not washed my hair since Thursday morning (#scandel #fessingup #keepingitreal). Being cursed (?) with a creative brain, I have gotten pretty accomplished at disguising my (less than clean) hair with up-do's, beachy waves (via the straightener), dry shampoo, and the clever placement of caps. That's all good....but sometimes, I #Kimfess that I take abuse these skills and let my hair go longer between shampooing than I really should. #oops I ran out of time on Sunday morning after my later-than-planned walk and before church...so #oopsIdiditagain...and clipped up the bangs and poofed the day-old beachy waves. There, now you know the real story.

not bad for 3.5 days of wear, right?

This little guy, Max, is just so cute! He loves his dental treats....we give him the treats as a reward for doing his business OUTSIDE. Every now and then, we find a stain on the living room rug (#eewww).

Maxton McArthur

And, finally, I wanted to share this filter-enhanced pic. I'm really on the fence with using filters. They do add a lot of funky details and touches (which my art geek persona is all over), but they also do not allow a simple photo to stand alone on its own merit (which annoys the art geek in me as well). I sometimes find myself feeling dependent on filters...and get sloppy in taking pics because I know I can always "filter them up" and make them presentable. I know, first world probs aside, there are far greater things to think about. What's your opinion on filters?

What do you think?

I'm linking up with Montana (on behalf of Holly and Tricia) for the Weekly Wrap. Please join us!