Epiphanies Aplenty

This has been a busy and somewhat action-packed week for me. It definitely had me moving and grooving the most since my Road to Recovery journey began....

I had several epiphanies this past week (it seems like all of this non-running-business has lit a different set of light bulbs within my brain). Prior to the past several weeks, I was a very dedicated early-morning runner. Like with anything else in life, I didn't realize how much I dearly LOVED having that early-morning ritual until it came to an abrupt halt.


My last early morning run was on Monday, June 12th. I had met my friend, Barb, and we did our ritual #5at5 (five miles at 5:00 a.m.). Little did I know, my (running) life was in the early stages of a major upheaval.  Since that was the final week of taper for Grandma's Marathon, and my knee had felt a little wonky, I held off on running until race day (June 17th) and I thought all was (indeed) quite well with my world. A few days post-finish line, the knee bursitis returned....and yadda yadda yadda...you all know what happened in the days following (extensive details HERE).

So, here's what went down this past week...

Monday
As I was rising to greet the new day, I was reminded (again) how much I missed my early morning runs. Then ((light bulb moment)), I realized that even if I couldn't go for an early morning run, I still could go for an early morning WALK. (Seriously, why did this (epiphany #1) take so long to figure out??) I headed out, walked a mile through the neighborhood, and felt like I had conquered a mountain!

Walking and planking and strength work...oh my!

By the end of the day, I had walked a total of two miles, done 5-total minutes of planking, knocked out 30 push-ups, done some strength work on my arms, and completed 300 leg lifts (150 each leg). Needless to say, I went to bed feeling quite accomplished. #noexcuses

Tuesday
Eager to continue with my new early morning (walking) ritual, I was out the door by 5:30. I walked a mile to start the day, and finished with two total miles by bed time. All the usual leg lifts, planking, and push-ups continued as well.

Wednesday
Instead of my usual neighborhood route, I ventured a little farther and went 1.5 miles that morning...my  longest walk thus far. I broke out my favorite (retired) pair of running shoes...my Mizuno Wave Inspire 8's. These were the shoes that saw me through my first two marathons and still feel like heaven on my feet. Although they now have far too many miles on them for running, they are perfect for walking.

reunited with the Mizuno WI 8's...and they felt so good

Thursday 
Just like old times, I met up with Barb. She drove over and we headed out at 5:15 a.m. and chatted over 2.5 miles...my longest post-op walk thus far! Even though we weren't running, it was great to knock out a bit of early morning fitness with my running buddy.

Friday
Although I have been doing a pretty good job of staying positive, it has not been all rainbows and lollipops. Don't forget, summer is my FAVORITE season for running and it sucks to not be doing what I love. It's been tough seeing all the other runners on social media posting sweaty post-run selfies. If they only knew how much I'd gladly trade places with them.....

Grateful for every mile in every kind of weather

I headed out early Friday morning and walked my 2.5-mile route. It was hot and it was humid. Then it hit me (epiphany #2)....although I am not allowed to run right now, I am still able to get outside and walk. There are probably a lot of other side-lined athletes in general who aren't able to even do that...and I bet they'd gladly trade places with ME. Talk about a dose of reality. Needless to say, I am grateful for each and every mile I can walk (more so now than ever ), no matter what kind of weather is at play.

Saturday
I was out the door by 5:20 a.m., hoping to knock out a few miles before getting back for my 6:00 IV infusion. Momma N had sent some dark clouds, accompanied with some lightning and thunder (off in the distance). Unsure what to do, I opted to do three laps around the "short" block across the street, which would net me a 1-mile distance. I didn't want to head too far from home in case a storm was about to break.  Wouldn't you know? As I finished the final lap, the dark clouds had moved on and the thunder ceased to be heard! I  was able to do another mile after all...(epiphany #3)... the sun is rising even if you can't see it, so just GO! The clouds may lift while you're out there and you'll be that much further along if you choose to not wait it out!

The sun is rising even if you can't see it

Sunday
With my renewed enthusiasm for early-morning movement, I was laced up and out the door by 5:30 a.m. I took Max out for his morning ritual (1/2-mile walk around the block), stopped back home for my morning IV infusion, then headed back out for an additional 2-1/2 miles). Did you see that? Three miles total! That's my longest jaunt since the marathon four weeks prior! Normally, three miles would not be a big deal...but at this stage in my recovery, it is a milestone. Of course, I cannot walk a 5K as fast as I could run it, but just knowing I can go that far at a decent pace reassures me that my endurance is maintaining despite my lack of running.

This landmark distance called for a funky & festive headband

Incidentally, as I was walking, a gal from our church was riding her bike. We'd passed each other earlier, but this time she called my name and pulled over. She told me she had heard about my surgery and current "state of recovery" and wanted me to know she had been praying for me. She said she was hoping for my speedy return to my passion (running), and was so excited to see me out walking. It was all I could do to stay calm and not cry...(epiphany #4)...to know that people (who I'm not really close friends with) are thinking of me and praying for my healing. That is quite humbling. I, indeed, have a lot to be thankful for.

Also as I was walking this morning, I was thinking about fall races. I have done the IMT Des Moines Marathon (in some capacity) for the past several years. It's in mid-October, so it's doubtful I could be in shape for the half marathon by then (and that's assuming I am granted clearance to resume running in September). But (epiphany #5), I could probably do the 5-mile event (on that Saturday) and also the 5K (on Sunday)! Worse case scenario, I could walk both of those races if need be, but I ought to be able to run those distances easily by then. Stay tuned...I may be registering! The price doesn't increase until Sept.19th, so I have plenty of time to access my progress before making a decision.

My total miles (Monday through Sunday) currently are at 23, a huge increase from last week! There will be more dog walks before the end of day, so that number will be closer to 25 by bedtime. I have been doing the leg lifts three times each day (during the IV infusions), so I'm currently at 1500 (750 for each leg). That number will be at 2100 by days end as well. I'm doing 30 push-ups most days (when I remember LOL), and the strength work happens every other day. Even though I'm not running, I'm trying to stay active and do what I can as my recovery allows. #findaway #makeithappen #onward

In case you missed them, last week's blog posts:
*Goodbye to the Gimp!
*TLC of the Knee

Road to Recovery update:
***IV at-home infusions via the PICC line continue. I was supposed to meet with my Infectious Disease doc last week, but he had to reschedule (death in the family). I'll be seeing him on Tuesday and hopefully leaving Linus (the PICC line) with him. Thus far, I have done 54 infusions on my own (YIKES!).

***Mobility is improving dramatically. Occasionally, the first 20 steps or so are a bit stiff (if I've been sitting for a long period of time), but overall I'm walking "normal." Going down steps is still a bit slow, but that will improve as my range of motion increases.

***Range of motion is getting better each day. My surgeon gave me clearance to slowly start doing squats, but not to bend the knee any more than 45-degrees for now. He also said I could start "walking fast" as my range of motion allows.

***The suture site is pretty "sealed" but will need more time to completely heal.The scar (whom I named Voldemort) doesn't look as bad as I thought it would. I've noticed everything feels best when I have a compression sleeve over it and the remaining "fluid retention" is almost gone. In other words, both knees are almost the same size again!

An evening walk with Linus and Voldemort....

In other news:
My #FridayFashionFlair post was well received on my Instagram page. I went with black and blue this week, complete with the scarf and funky sandals. I'm thankful my place of work has a pretty casual dress code...it would be tough to be in pants with the bulky compression sleeve over my knee. By the way, I invite you to play along...post your Friday outfit and tag me (@runningonthefly)!

Be very careful with sunless tanning lotion....I finally had a golden opportunity to lotion up (as the Steri strips have fallen off of my suture site), but I wasn't too careful with the whole "blending in" thing.

No, I did NOT just poo on myself.....

Last of all, this beautiful lily has not bloomed during the past two summers....but I was pleasantly surprised to see its return this week. Isn't it beautiful?

Enough about me...How was your week? Hot & humid weather? Any training/mileage milestones?
Any fall races on the calendar?

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