Part 2: The Results

Guess which part of this picture I am NOT happy about...

It surely isn't the tasty mojito...or the pretty little fire...

Yep, it's the black walking sandal that will be on my foot for 4-6 weeks, but closer to 6 weeks. If not longer. 

The dreaded call came about 1:30 this afternoon. 

Stress fracture thru on the 3rd metatarsal. Another one beginning on the 4th.  And a small one on the 2nd. Or something like that.  I go see Dr. Pat and Dr. Kacey on Wednesday. For some light therapy and a better understanding of why this happened and how I am going to recover. 

Instructions until then: Stay off it. No running. Wear the walking sandal all the time. Ice. Rest. See Drs mid-week. 

I text Speedy-Feet Dee (she's just down the hall in my office). Cry.  I text Boss Lady and Training Lady. Cry. I email BFFAE and Aly. Cry. Text Cristen and Kelly. Cry. Sister and mom. Cry more. And finally get the gumption to text my dad and wonder-woman Deb. And really break down. I'm so devastated. I'm ashamed. I'm mad. 

I have to call Dr. Pat again because I'm not quite sure what I am allowed to do. Can I walk on it? Yes, but only if I have to. Can I mow the grass? No, you really shouldn't do anything strenuous on it. I'm a single mom, I have to go to the grocery store. Can I not grocery shop? If you absolutely have to, but ice it when you get home. And I start crying again. 

Leave work at 4. Get in car and start crying again. Seriously. Drive home, crying and hitting the steering wheel. 

And then it occurs to me, I have friend a that is battling cancer. I have a friend that is having seizures for no reason. I have a friend who lost her healthy and fit  husband at 38 last week. I have friends with much worse problems than this silly stress fracture. And yet I am sitting here crying like it's the worse thing EVER. But to me, in this moment, right here, right now, it is. 

I'm not going to be able to run Akron with my dad. 

There. I said it. 

I am trying to find the silver lining in this... maybe it's prempting something worse that could have happened....maybe I need a break from the "rat race" I put myself thru every summer....maybe... Maybe I should be happy that it wasn't before Myrtle Beach or Mexico...maybe I should be glad it isn't my driving foot...maybe I should be glad it's just a stress fracture and not something much worse. 

I will do everything the doctors tell me to do. And then probably some. 

I just can't get unfit. I will do more crunches and arm exercises. I will do leg lifts on the floor. I will do every exercise known to man that doesn't involve me using my feet?! Is that possible? We shall find out. 

I just won't be running Akron. I have to get this better. I have too much money wrapped up in Space Coast Half Marathon in Florida at Thanksgiving. I guess that's another silver lining...I won't be burnt out at the end of September to keep training until November. 

I welcome any suggestions you may have on how to cope with this. Or if you think of another silver lining. Or if you want to use my Akron bib and get me a STELLAR time, or just to run with my dad. Let me know. 

I will fill ya in on Wednesday's appt in Part 3 next week. 

Until then...

Run. Strong. For t. 

-t-

Here's the deal (part one)

Ever since I got back from Mexico at the beginning of July, I have had this shooting pain on my left foot. The top to be exact. And noticed some swelling and slight discoloration. So I attributed it to a bruise. Maybe too much beach walking? Maybe I dropped something on it, you know like something from the freezer? Maybe it's just a cramp that WON'T. GO. AWAY.  

After a week of this pain, in which I mentioned to Training Lady, I went to see Dr. Pat. The ahhhhhhmazing Dr. Pat   He did some sonar/heat treatment on it. Manipulated it. "Scraped" the metatarsals with that mean tool. Adjusted my hips/back. And told me to rest it, ice it, stretch it, and come back on Friday. What?! No running? I have 6 miles to do! I'm about to start training. I can't let my miles become null NOW!  But fine. So I did. And it felt better. Friday I went back. Some more heat/sonar/manipulations/scraping and was told I could run on Saturday to see how it felt but only do 4 miles. Come back next week but see Dr. Herman as he was leaving on vacation. What?! He can't leave I'm hurting!  He left. 

I ran 3 the next day. It was good. I was more focused on my sock on my right foot. The only reason I did 3 was because I was SERIOUSLY short on time.  But the 3 was ran very consistently and it felt good. And my foot felt fine the next day and so on. 

So I went and saw Dr. Herman the following Friday. More sonar/heat. More scraping. More manipulations. I told her about my miles and how it was good all week. A little pain but not terrible. She said to continue what I was doing (ice/stretch) and come back next week.   

So I did. And it was fine. But I knew I should not still be having any amount of pain and I knew I shouldn't still see swelling. And I knew I shouldn't still see discoloration. And she knew all this too. It was time for imaging. The dreaded confirmation of what I've been thinking and reading and hearing for the last 2 weeks....possible stress fracture.  

[COMMENCE CRYING]. 

Think to self "Akron 1/2 is 8 weeks out. I'm supposed to be running it with my dad for his FIRST 1/2! Running it at a 11 minute mile pace. Finishing in 2:45 MAX.  HUGE PR.  I can't tell my dad. I fear disappointing him more than I fear the stress fracture. I want nothing more than this race with him."

Being the stubborn runner I am, I told her that I was running 8 this weekend (last weekend)  and wouldn't stop running until I got the results of the MRI. She is really so nice. She just shook her head. I'm sure she noted in my file that Dr. Pat can KEEP ME! (wink!)

And so it went. I ran my 8. It didn't really hurt, per se until about 3.5 so I turned around (out and back route) and said that if it felt okay at 7 (cause I had to get back to my car) then I would get the other mile in on the other part of the path. And I did. Up a hill nonetheless! 

I iced it back at the campground a couple of times the rest of the day. And Sunday afternoon. And Sunday night. And Monday at work. And Monday night.  And didn't run Tuesday because I woke up with it throbbing at 430am. So I made the appt for the MRI for Wednesday afternoon. 

Lo and behold I woke up Wednesday with very little pain. Swelling had decreased.  But I wasn't canceling. Speedy-Feet pointed out that "I had rested it the last 4 days. Of course it is going to feel better!"  But better is not GREAT!

So here I sit with my foot in the MRI machine waiting for this scan to be over. Waiting to find out what the rest of my training for Akron will look like....

Dad knows. Dad was very supportive. Very encouraging. Said "Tami, 2:30 is very optimistic. I would be happy to finish in 3.  If you do have a stress fracture then we will do what we can do. My knee could act up in the next 8 weeks and I have to get a shot. Anything could happen. But no matter what, we will cross that finish line together. Hand in hand. And that is all that matters."  The conversation went on about all the injuries wonder-woman Deb has endured in her running lifetime...Coming back from a neck injury 2 years ago, 10 or so weeks out from Akron Marathon and completing it.  

People have injuries all the time. But this was going to be my year for this race!  And it still could be I guess. Just need to wait for the results. And if the outcome is a stress fracture, then I will readjust the training and get myself physically ready somehow (bike, cross train) and cross that finish line with my dad.  And if it's something else, like a "tuma" (said in the best Arnold Schwartzenger voice) then we go from there. BUT if it's not anything but a bruise, then GAME ON! 

Trust me when I say, coming to this decision and mind set has not been an easy task. I have had tears sit on my eyes and I have let those tears fall with a sobbing effect. I have refused to admit defeat and have accepted that what is, is what is. 

This will not define me. It will make me stronger. 

So stay tuned for the MRI results... 

Run. Strong. 

-t- 

Yeah, I know...

I said I would blog more once training officially started, ahem, 2 weeks ago, and I failed. I got a little busy...

Jimmy Buffett concert at Riverbend. 

My niece Kate came to stay with me for a couple of days!

Been getting a certain teenage son ready for this. High school. He's on the freshman football team and has just started 2 a days! What a trooper! 

But I have been working out and running. And with Boss Lady and Training Lady nonetheless! And they've been working me hard! We meet on Tuesday and Thursday at the Rec Center and do our respective runs. I am usually by myself as these two speedy-feet have their awesome pace together. But it's okay! I kinda like running solo. Really gives me time to think.  

After the run (about an hours worth) we head into the Rec for "Bob's Class". Not sure if it has a real name, like "Total Body" or something catchy, but it is a lot of work and targets the whole body...arms, legs, abs, lots of abs, lots of push-ups. It's a really great class for cross-train!   

I did complete a full 8 mile out/back long run. Solo. On the bike path. During a race! That was kinda fun. There was this stick or vine hanging down from the tree ther I noticed on my way back. Kinda scarey too cause it looks like it's going to fall straight down and split me in half, vertically. 

And I saw this sign. Which was pretty cool. And I really wanted to do what it said. 

But I was only 3 miles. I could have turned around and went 5 back but I wasn't even to the bridge and I really like running from one main road to the next (Rt 40 to Old Springfield for my locals). 

And we went camping this weekend for BFFAE's birthday! I surprised her Saturday morning with this cute blow-up outside her camper before we left the campground at 0530 to go home for football practice (and me to run)!  Everybody that came past the site wished her a happy birthday!  It was pretty fun! 

So it has been a very busy couple of weeks. And my workouts haven't been incredibly stellar, but they are workouts. 

What I'm not telling you is the pain/injury I've endured the last 4 weeks. I will save that for a separate post (seriously, already written) because it is what I'm all about and it wouldn't be fair to just throw it in here. It does deserve it's own post. 

So until then... Please keep running strong. For me. 

Run. Strong. 

-t-

The last 6 months?

Oh, hey! Hi!  
Yes. I have been MIA. But not without valid reason. And many of you have seen me out and about so it's not really like I've been really missing...just missing from any sort of blogging...

Wonder what I've been up to? I thought you might ask!  Instead of going into great lengths rambling my comings and goings, I thought I'd tell the story in pictures! Of course with brief descriptions, and in order from February (I hope we can still be friends!) to, well, just last weekend!  

So here goes....

Okay, so this is January...My niece's cake! She LOVED IT!

Hot Chocolate 5k - Nashville (already blogged this one)

We always celebrate our birthdays together!

Ohio State Basketball game with this kid!

Cold weather run with Jenni!

Knoxville Marathon Expo! Sporting the TuTu!

 

 

 

OSU Spring Game! We love our BUCKEYES!

Kentucky Derby Expo with DeeDee! FUN!

5k with Deanna (aka Speedy Feet) Another one I can't say no too!

SEE! Told ya!  Mad Run in Fort Recovery, OH!

I really needed someone else to wear this so I could read it!

 

 

Post MadRun with my crew from "God's Land"

 

 

 

NO BRACES! Now if he would only wear the retainer!

Sign at SNAPP. It really hit home.

Troy Strawberry Fest 10k!

Boston, MA for this chic's wedding! Running in the rain!

Myrtle Beach with these 2!

You missing football lifting...you MUST RUN!

And I ran too!

Because this was just too beautiful!

And BFFAE and I rewarded ourselves on the Boardwalk

Isla Mujeres Mexico with BFFAE!

Just stunning!

You know that place...SPEEDWORK!

And a 5 mile run!

Bec's Bunch 5k with Boss Lady!

And finally...relaxing in the backyard!

So that about sums it up...there were a few camping trips in there too...and maybe some other shenanigans with the Boy.  But all in all, it's been quite busy. And it's going to stay that way for a while yet... 

Here's what is on deck for the coming months...

• Akron 1/2 Marathon training starts THIS WEEKEND! I was just released from the ahhhhhhmazing Dr. Pat (foot issue that start with a "M")
• My niece is coming to stay with me!!! FUN!!!
• BondiBand Expos
• School will be starting for the Boy. FRESHMAN I say!
• Couple camping trips!
• Birthdays galore!

Look for more posts now...1/2 training is starting! There is SURE to be something said about that! 

Until there my (hope we are still) friends....
Run. Strong.
-t-

Oh hey!

Hi! How have you been?!

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!  Happy Valentines Day!

I think that covers it. 

So, me, what have I been up to? Oh a little running here and there. Some challenges, a cleanse, stairs, the dreadmill, a Bondi Band Expo...what you say?!  Bondi Band! 

Yep! Got a call a couple weeks ago to go to Nashville, TN to do the Hot Chocolate 5k/15k on February 13-15!  I was so excited! An expo, Bondi Band, and Nashville...a perfect trifecta! But wait, there's more! I signed up and ran the 5k! I said from the beginning that if I could do the race of the expo I would be working at I would. So I did. Annnnnd the swag was pretty sweet! 

So as I was driving home on Saturday, I was reflecting on the previous days and came to a few realizations...

I ran my first race without my support system...aka all my running buddies. I walked to the start line solo. Waited in my corral solo. Ran solo. Finished solo. It was different. Kinda rewarding to my ego. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE MY RUNNING BUDDIES! And I love RUNNING WITH MY BUDDIES. But just when I didn't think I could do it, I did it. 

Another thing I realized, and this happened more during my time at the expo, is that there are all shapes, sizes, types of runners. The fast one, the slow one. The skinny one, and the not so skinny one. The serious runner, and the one that is just there to have a good time with friends! Those that sign up as a training run, and those that sign up just to do it. Those that may have 100's of runs under their belts, and those that this is their first.  I am one of those. And I love how far I've come. 

I talked to a lot of people. A lot. I made connections with strangers. Learned what it takes to put an event like that together. Found new products for pain relief. I saw Nashville and all the bright lights. People smiled. I smiled. It was a very rewarding trip. Not just in my pocket, but my ego, my morale, my confidence. 

And so where do I go from here...

More expos. More races. More running. 

Until then...

Run. Strong. 

-t-

Lights!!!

Hi there! 

Kelly and I had talked about going on a run in the evening to look at all the lights in the neighborhoods! This was about 3 weeks ago. It hadn't happened. Life. 

But alas, it did today!  I woke up with a headache but was determined to not let the last day of this crazy warm weather hold me back from finally getting a run in to see all the pretty lights!

Quick text to Kelly and Cristen and it was on!  

We hadn't run together, all three of us, since our training days for the 1/2! I had ran separately with Kelly at SNAPP and with Cristen at the 4 Miler. I was uber excited!   Catching up, random convos about the lights, my lofty goals for next year (separate post in the works!), the holidays, oh, and let's not forget the random silence when all you heard was our labored breathing! What fun it was!! The lights were so pretty! We even wished random people a Merry Christmas and it was returned. It was so nice! 

I felt so great the entire run! I can't remember when I felt THAT GREAT!

Here are some pics of our favorite houses...

Merry Christmas my dear friends! May you have a blessed holiday with family and friends!

Run. Strong. 

-t-

Stair and a little wheezing

So I haven't done any workouts since the Turkey Trot. Again, life. 

So tonight while Nate is at SNAPP, I thought I would do the inside stairwells for some cardio. And after each flight do some burpees (hate), wall sits, sit ups, and lunges. See how far I could get up the stairwell. First set was good. I did 10 arm presses on the heater. Ran up another flight and 25 sit ups. Up another flight and 10 sec wall sit. By this flight, I am wheezing. Wheezing so bad I can feel it in my chest and hear it. I head down. Catch my breath and try to run up another flight. Make it to the first landing and have to stop and walk the second. I am going to get some of these in. And then I really can't breathe. Good thing I am in a hospital! 

I end up walking back down and decide to call it quits. I can't breathe. It hurts to breathe. Ugh. No time to be sick. 

I'm wishing I would have just ran outside and around the hospital parking lot. I wasn't sure it would be clear enough. Duh, I think, it's a hospital; it's gonna be clear. And it was. It may have been bone-chilling cold, but it would have felt better. At least that is what I am telling myself until Thursday when Nate is back here for another session. I will run Thursday. Outside. 

And I am not getting sick.  

Run. Strong. 

-t-