Road to Recovery

Recovery is never easy but it's important to have friends around you that will help you get there.  As I'm writing this today it's been four months.  It's been a slow and fast four months as in while I'm living through it time goes slow but looking back it's been really fast.  I have made a lot of progress and thankful to be walking.  I have had some pain but nothing that I can't handle.  I have been asking a ton of questions to my physical therapist to make sure I am the right choices in my daily exercises.  

Looking back the first four weeks were the worst for me as I was on crutches and it was hard for me to do things.  I'm so thankful to my roommate and friend KJ who took care of me while I recover.  I'm very independent and like to do things for myself but glad he was there for me.  He did way more than a friend should but glad he was there.  Since I was working from home at that time it was easy for me to focus on my recovery.  I think if I had to go into work I would have taken a month off as it's hard to move around.  

The next transition was going from two crutches to one/a cane. Going from being very dependent on crutches to less support was hard.  I always wondered if I was doing something wrong but it was part of the process.  After a few days it got easier to support myself.  Crazy what a few weeks of not using your muscles will do.  The day that I was able to walk freely was so amazing.  It's crazy going through this recovery process and now I know I don't want to have to go through that again.  Through the weeks after I was slowly increasing my mileage while strengthening different parts of my body.  It is very important to go to Physical Therapy as they will help you get better faster. I've seen others who have went through surgery and didn't follow the rules and have more issues after surgery.  The longest walk to date has been 7 miles, mainly because life happens.  As I continue to train and look towards my Allstate Hot Chocolate 15K I'm right on schedule for mileage. 

Even through races are being cancelled left and right, not having races has helped me through this tough time of recovery.  I don't get FOMO and also doesn't make me rush to get back to running.  I have been able to focus on my recovery and physical therapy.  About a month ago I thought I was supposed to be released to jog and got the bad news that it will be another 6 weeks.  It was hard news to swallow, like real hard.  But knowing all my fall races were cancelled/may be cancelled made it a little easier to not rush my recovery and listen to the surgeon. 

I'm excited to have a follow up in two weeks and hopefully be released to start jogging.  I'm excited to return to the sport and be able to hang out with my friends while running.   I think the challenge for me is getting back into my routine in terms of eating right, hydrating and remembering what clothes to wear for different temperatures.  I'm ready for the challenge and the cooler weather.