Saturday, January 30, 2010

Am I Crazy?!...

Just the other day I talked to my physical therapist about running. It's coming so soon I just can't believe it! 11 days and counting :) 
I was sitting at work yesterday pondering this wonderful idea... actually, it was more like daydreaming, but you get the picture. A thought came to my mind that, "Hey! The Turkey Trot that I ran with Dad on Thanksgiving Day was so much fun! I wasn't even really tired afterwards. I should train for another 5k!" Then my thoughts turned to, "I've done numerous 5k's. I should try a 10k." You think I stopped there? Nope! I have officially decided to run a half marathon!! Now my question comes into play- Am I crazy? Maybe, but I am motivated, and more excited than ever. I text one of my best friends, Kaitlin, who has been my running buddy for a few years now- even though we don't go as much as we use to, or at all... I asked her if she wanted to run a half marathon with me. I think it was literally 10 seconds later that I got her call. The first words out of her mouth were, "Are you crazy? Um, what are you thinking, and why all of a sudden would you want to do such a thing? You know how long that is right?" (Not her exact words, but pretty much right on track.) We talked for a while and decided it would be something really fun and intrinsically rewarding. How cool would it be to say, "I ran and finished a half marathon!"
Some of the half marathons I have looked at are Park City half marathon on August 21, Provo Canyon half marathon in August, and The Top of Utah half marathon in Logan on September 18. I personally want to do the Park City one b/c the scenery is more appealing to me than Logan. But I've heard that the Logan trail is all downhill and it's a very gradual downhill. Wouldn't that be ideal? So I have some goals leading up to my half marathon:

1. Start speed walking/light jogging on February 10
2. Make a Training plan with Kaitlin on February 13
3. Be running at full strength by March 3
4. Run a 5K
5. Sign up for half marathon
6. Run a 10K
7. Run the Park City half marathon on August 21

I have a lot of work to do, and I have to be smart while training b/c of my special conditions, but I know I can do it, and I can't wait to get started! If anyone knows of good training techniques or tips, please let me know. Wish me luck, and make sure that I'm alive in August, cause Heaven knows I'll be exhausted ha ha. 

Sunday, January 17, 2010

It's Been Too Long...

Holy cow! Where has all of the time gone? I am such a slacker in the blogging world. Please forgive me... all of you who actually read my posts and desire to keep up with my "eventful" life. The life of a poor, single, college student. The best years of my life also.
Well, on December 15th I finished 5 finals and dashed off to prepare for my ACL surgery. Wednesday morning, the 16th of December was a very nerve wracking time of day. I never knew I could be so nervous. Cute lil' ol' brother Carlisle from across the street was kind enough to make his way over to our house to help Dad give me a blessing before we headed over to the hospital. Though my nerves did not cease, I slowly felt relief a little at a time. I am so grateful to have a father who lives worthily to hold the priesthood and exercise this authority in our home. 
At the hospital there were a lot of procedures to go through, all of you who have had any kind of surgery know that you see about 5-10 different people before you actually go into surgery. You know my opinion? The one thing I would put in their little suggestion box is to inform the patients when they call the day before surgery that they will need to give a urine sample! No one told us, and they probably didn't think it made that much of a difference, but when your surgery is scheduled for 8:45am, most likely you have already gone to the bathroom. I have also been told that I have a "shy bladder" by the urinalysis people who do drug tests. It took a lot longer than I had hoped to get even the slightest sample. 
The surgery went really well. I was told after the surgery that they repaired my ACL, and they stitched up a small tear in my meniscus. Because of the meniscus tear I would be required to use crutches for 4 weeks. Christmas break started early for me in the fact that I literally layed around and watched movies for a few weeks. 
Compared to my left ACL surgery, this recovery was so much better. I don't know if physically is was better, or if it was simply because I'd been through it before and knew what I needed to do early on to benefit me later, but I am so grateful for the quick recovery I have been having. In my follow-up visit with Dr. Holmstrom ( I recommend him to anyone), he told me that I was ahead of the game in my recovery timeline. WAHOO! That'll bring you happiness. 
This past Wednesday was the 4 weeks mark of my surgery, and do you know what that meant? Get rid of those ol' crutches! What a relief. Granted I was a little slower and my muscles are still weak, but it's nice to have the freedom, and less baggage to carry around. Wednesday also marked the first day in 4 weeks that I have worn jeans :) What a great feeling. As of today I hardly walk without a limp and I can almost go down the stairs normally! I have about 3 weeks of physical therapy left, and I feel so blessed with how everything is going. Though I may not see what the blessings have resulted specifically from this injury and experience, I know there are many and I am grateful for all I have learned, and all I will continue to learn.