Gettin' My Swagger Back..

What? You weren't aware I walked with a swagger? I'm sorry. Either way, it's on the way back!

I am officially 1+ months out from surgery, and have had made huge gains. I'm out of the walking boot, and my walking has improved to match that of a marathoner one day post PR. The swelling has markedly improved, aided recently by the start of physical therapy.

In the workout department, I'm back to full strength, minus the running. While that's going to be shelved for a few more weeks, I'm back to healthy doses of swimming, biking, and ellipticalling (yes, I made up that word). In addition to the daily cardio sweatfests, I'm also doing lots of core work, and lifting 2-3 times a week. I was even a dancing fool at a wedding last weekend!  That makes for a happy, happy girl.

My sisters and I, pre-wedding! 

From an appearance perspective, the Frankenleg is no longer. I can now enter public places without being gawked at, and getting the sympathetic glances.

I am so incredibly happy that I had the surgery done, and I know that feeling will only grow once I'm able to pound the pavement again. I credit the speed of healing to both working out, and also staying in a positive state of mind. There were days where the "woe is me" mentality would have been so easy to take, but instead I tried to push through, and excel at what I COULD do on that day.

At this point, it appears as though my running comeback will begin around July 1st. The only thing I have committed to at this point is the Yankee Homecoming 10-Miler in Newburyport on July 31st.  I would like to get a couple other short races on the calendar in July, but it might have to be "day of" registration; I'm just not going have a good idea of how much run fitness I've lost until I get back out there.

I would also like to capitalize on the swimming and riding I've been doing, and I can't decide whether I would rather hold out for an entire triathlon, or finding an aqua/bike somewhere. I just can't imagine to be fully "able" to run, yet having to hand over my chip after the bike.

Now that I've started on a PT regimen of 2-3 times a week, I'm hoping to make major improvements which will culminate in my first run back since April 29th. Until then, I will continue to bookmark potential 5-10K's the beginning of July, and use Yankee Homecoming as a strong 10-miler. I hesitate to call it a race at this point, as it's foolish to think of an all out 10-mile effort 4 weeks post-comeback. We shall see.

I'm so happy this chapter of my life is coming to a close, and cannot wait to see what the back half of 2012 has in store.

Happy Training!