Fall Walking

You may have noticed my miles are going up for 2009 in the walking category...that's what I have been doing a lot of lately. I have enjoyed so much just being outdoors and enjoying this gorgeous fall weather. I have been walking mid morning and some afternoons, just depending on how our school day is going. The great thing is I am having no pain with the walking...even walking fast with some big hills. Progress feels so good!

God has given me such contentment with walking for now. I think it has been good for my body to take this break and now work back slowly.

Will I be running more consistently in the future? Of course, that is my goal, but I am so paranoid right now that I could still re-injure...I don't want to do that. I am finding joy where God has me for now.

Yes!

Distance--3.0 miles
Slow jog
Walked the hills.


What a beautiful morning.

Beach Running

Well, I guess running on the beach once counts, right? That was all I managed to do this trip, but it was fun. Abigail and I began walking on the beach, but then decided to go up to a running path on the road to run. We ran about 3 miles along the path with gorgeous views of the ocean and beautiful houses and villas on the beach. If I had felt better, I would have run more than once, but after running it made my injured area hurt the rest of the day. The next day I felt fine again. So, I can run some, but still not back to 100%. I managed to walk along the beach quite a few times and that was nice.

This week I am planning on getting up early and walking only...just to get back into my early morning schedule. I think that will be nice and allow me to get some much needed exercise. If I run anytime soon it will be short distances.

The beach was gorgeous and fun, but we are all glad to be home again.

JOY!

Distance--3.5 mi
Walk--2 mi
Run--1 1/2 mi

My pace was s.l.o.w....but at least I was moving! : )

And I felt very little pain...just some tightness in back of leg up high. I came home and iced the area and I feel great! I'm going to rest a day or two and try it again on Saturday! I'm so happy and thankful for God allowing my body to heal to this point. Now, I just have to take it slow and be extra careful.

Progress

It has been a while since I have updated things. Thank you so much for asking about me and most of all for your prayers. You have encouraged me greatly!

I went to the doctor again last week and he did some new x-rays. This is a different doctor who is actually a friend...I was anxious to have the new x-rays done because like the first doctor said, stress fractures do not always show up initially, but when the bone heals some, you can see it. The good news is that there was still no evidence of a stress fracture. Although, the doctor said the MRI would confirm for sure, meaning that the x rays can still not give a definite answer. He believed, from what he saw, that the bones looked good. I am thanking the Lord for that! I did find out that my hip is weird and not like most peoples...the joint is straight instead of my hip bone flaring out at an angle. He said this could be the source of the injury...but maybe not. Still no real answers.

He did give some helpful advice. He said if it was a form of tendonitis, it could take up to a year to heal all the way. He mentioned that physical therapy could possibly help the process some. I am looking into that. He also said there is a semi open MRI machine in my town that gives excellent picture results, so that is an option instead of the totally closed up kind. That just doesn't sound fun and I think I may be a little claustrophobic. Still so many unknowns with this injury.

Some great news is that I have been doing lots better...but I don't want to be too enthusiastic about it just yet...just still taking it slow, trying to rest, and trying to be patient with this. The last week and a half, I have walked 3 times. Once I walked about 1 1/2 miles...then 2 miles with a short run, then 3 miles with 2 times of short running. I felt a tad of sore type pain in the lower right abdomen and just a little bit of tightness/pain in the back upper part of my leg...but when I was through running, no pain! It hasn't made me achy and my groin area feels so much better. Maybe I am getting better! A month ago, I could not do this, so any amount of progress is good.

I woke early this morning to walk/run and it was so nice. It has been very cool here lately. I enjoyed just walking and thinking how great that was...even if I can't run for long, it sure is nice to be out doing something!

All the majesty in this world cannot compare to the glory...The beauty of the body that was broken for our forgiveness.

Good Things Come in Small Packages!

Doesn't that make you want to go eat a bowl full right now?


I am going to the doctor later today. Please pray that we can find out something.

If Something Hurts... Then Something is Still Wrong.

I have not run this week and I have decided not to even try it. This injury is strange...one day I feel fine, then next day I have aches and pains in the groin/pelvic area. I can walk fine(if I don't overdo it), just don't want to try running yet. It has been 9 weeks since the injury, so I think it might be wise to rest 4 more weeks. We are going to the beach in early September and I LOVE to run on the beach or the road near the beach. Mike said when we get there we would go on a long walk on the beach and if it feels okay, I should go for a short(less than a mile) run. This would be at the 3 month mark, which is when most stress fractures are healed and the doctors give the thumbs up to resuming physical activity. I'm going to just set my mind on that for now and look forward to the beach!

In the meantime, I am praying about going back to the doctor for the dreaded MRI. I just want to know what it is for sure and see it for myself. It has affected my life so much that I want to say "This is what it is" and know that without a doubt.

One of the books I have read on running says that you begin to lose your physical fitness when you have not run for 10 weeks. I'm there. It is frustrating to me to think about how I will have to work hard to get back to my fitness level, but it will happen at some point. It will be a gradual process...no half marathons in my future for now...that is for sure.