I'm Cleared to Run

I haven't really posted much in the last 2 weeks, because my Physical Therapy was not anything to write about. I mean, I covered PT in many of my blog posts last year and it was a lot of the same stuff. I did learn some new stretches and it has helped my ankle tremendously. I even did some light running from the dumpster to my apartment with dogs in tow. I also asked my parents for their bike that they don't use to help me with some exercising before I start gungho in running. Unfortunately, the bike had to get a tuneup and won't be ready until April 4-5 (darn MS 150...which is a great cause and everyone should donate to it).

My goal is to run a mile this weekend at Hermann Park. I wanted to last night, but the rain has been off and on throughout the day (stormy even). Hopefully, I will get that in today. It is supposed to rain all weekend. I also signed up for my first yoga class in a LONG time. It's not my favorite Yoga for Athletes, but it's still good. I'm doing the Hatha Yoga, which is more about the breathing and stretching.

In the meantime, I have signed up for the Sprint for Life 5K on May 6, 2012, in honor of the Allen sister's late mother. I remembered when Mal approached me 2 years ago to run in this event. I was team training hardcore that year and the only weekend we could get together was that same weekend. I felt bad, but I donated money and Mal got me a shirt. The next year, I donated money, but couldn't run. I was in a car accident a couple of weeks prior and just couldn't run through the pain. This year, I'm free...I hope barring I don't have something ELSE awful happen to me. So, I'm running and I'm totally excited. Mal and BranDee can't be there, but I will get to join MeGan. I feel honored to be a part of this and I'm happy to do this for them. Those girls hold a special place in my heart.

If you can help out in any way, please do so either by giving alittle bit on my donation page at MD Anderson Sprint for Life 5K to help in the fight against Ovarian Cancer or to join my team (looking at you Kate, Haley, and Amy). We could use your help for sure.

Physical Therapy #1

I finally had my PT appointment yesterday. The girl was an intern and I think I knew more about where to go and what to do than she did, but that's okay. I did get to work on strengthening my ankle using machines that I just don't have. I had to do a little over 15 leg squat/leg presses on this machine they called the Total Workout. It felt weird at first and my ankle was really shakey, but it loosened after awhile. Then, we moved on to step ups, step downs, with a focus on the down part. I have noticed that my ankle hurts the most when I step down. So, we did alot of those. Next up, I had to stand on one foot for a minute. At first, she tried me on the BOSU, but it was just too unstable for me. So, we used the foam pad. I did that about 3 times. And then we moved on to my old friend...throw a medicine ball at a trampoline thing while standing on my bad ankle. Only this time, I had to do this facing front and then facing to the side (both sides). By the end, my ankle was hurting. She then moved me on to the bike for a 10 minute ride. I liked it and it felt good. I'm confident that if I don't run right now, I am going to bike this weekend. Well, first I have to ask my parents to borrow their bike.

She said that if my Doctor said it was okay to run, then it's okay. However, she understood that I was scared to run. I am. I know I shouldn't be, but I have had so much happen with this foot (and the other foot). I don't want to push too early and risk hurting it even more. I did a few light light light runs around my apartment and I did a light light light, even lighter run from my car to the stairs; it didn't go so well. So, biking it is for me.

Wish me luck!

On a side note, I went to Mythbusters:  Behind the Myths Tour with Adam and Jayme. It was awesome.

The Boot is Off for Good!

On Friday, I had my last follow-up appointment (okay, not really since I have 1 in 6 weeks) to see if I got the clearance to stop wearing the boot. He told me to ween, but I have stopped weening. In fact, today, I'm wearing my regular flat shoes without the ankle wrap. I did that knowing that I would be sitting down most of the day.

I start Physical Therapy next week in which I will hopefully get some new exercises. My doctor didn't think it was totally necessary, but wanted me to try it just to be on the safe side. So, I'm going at least once to see what they got and then I can decide to go back or not.

The really good news is that he also gave me the thumbs up to run again as long as it's not painful to me. I haven't tried running as of yet. I have walked more and more, which is great. I'm actually waiting on PT to see what they have to offer before I get out there for a quick run. I guess next week will officially be 6 weeks and I don't want to make things worse. My doctor said that I wouldn't harm my ankle, but it can make it painful for me if I go too strong too early. So, I'm waiting another week.

Due to a fantastic visit from England, I didn't do my ab work or situps all week. This morning, I reinstated 2 sets of 50 front crunches, 2 sets of 30 second bicycle crunches, and 25 situps. Go me!