Stretching and Flexibility

There was a time when I would stretch regularly and as a result could actually touch my toes, but those days are long gone. Given where I am today--that my current setback likely was caused by inflexibility--I regret neglecting the stretch.

From a very young age, the importance of stretching was ingrained in me by my baseball coaches. We never started a practice before loosening up. I carried that over to my running but somewhere along the line lost sight of that importance. In 2006, I lived just north of the Upper East Side, in Spanish Harlem, and belonged to the 92nd Street Y. There, I would always stretch out before jumping on the treadmill or bike. And I could touch my toes! Now, I struggle to push past my shins. What happened?

I increased my mileage and seemed to have time for only running. My chiropractor told me that to an extent tight muscles are a good thing. He said that we produce more energy from tightly wound muscles than we do from overstretched muscles. However, there's an ideal degree of flexibility that one must attain in order to maximize his/her potential as a runner and stay injury-free. There's no question that I have my work cut out for me.

On a more positive note, I got out on the trails for the first time since my surgery today. I hiked up/down East Rock in 50:44. Everything felt pretty good. I look forward to getting back out there on a more regular basis in the coming weeks. Depending on how I feel tomorrow, I think I could probably do that hike every morning.

There's no question that my right leg has atrophied significantly, so I measured around the fattest part of my quad/ham and got 19.5" for the left and 18.0" for right. Yikes!

42 days post-surgery

First, a look at the remaining schedule:

1/31: PT #6
2/6: PT #7
2/9: Follow-up with Dr. Medvecky

I'm now able to walk to and from work (about a mile round-trip). This morning's walk over felt great. Very encouraging. I still have a "hitch in my giddyup," as a colleague so kindly pointed out yesterday, but everyday it seems to get a little better. Otherwise, there's not much else to report.

35 days post-surgery

I completely ditched the last crutch a few days ago. I walked to O'Tooles for a beer and then to Claire's for dinner last night. It might have been too much, but I feel fine today after my fourth physical therapy session. I think things are moving in the right direction--getting a little stronger everyday. I'm really itching to get back on the bike. Only a few more weeks.

Missoula Marathon 2012

Someone has put a bug in my ear about the Missoula Marathon 2012. It will be held on July 8th, the weekend immediately following the weekend of our wedding in Bozeman. As I know the entire world knows by now, I am recovering from knee surgery and uncertain about my abilities to run any distance this year, let alone a marathon. However, I would not rule out a second opportunity to make a comeback at this year's Missoula Marathon. Given that we are expecting a handful of our marathoning friends to celebrate with us in Bozeman, perhaps we could all head up to Missoula post-wedding and run us a 26.2mi race!? I made my comeback from foot surgery at the 2010 installment of the Missoula Marathon and clocked an impressive time of 4:02 (I know, I know). If it weren't for a calf cramp at 25.5mi, I could have possibly slid in under 4:00 (I know!). But I was happy with that time. And I would be happy just to be given a second opportunity to run that race. Time wouldn't matter. Long gone are the days of dreaming for that elusive 3:30. I think I'd be much more content slogging through mile after mile at 10min pace injury-free.

In other news, Jess, who sports a 3:31 PR in the 26.2mi event (a rock-star, I know), has just begun running again after a six-week break to heal an ailing knee. There's no doubt in my mind that she'll be ready to go come July to represent Team Lamanna.

:)

28 days post-surgery

I had my third PT session this morning. This time with Laura. She added a few more new exercises. Single-legged toe raises! I'm a bit sore in spots from the more aggressive exercises but a good sore. Within the next two weeks, I hope to be crutch-free.

A very skinny, atrophied quad, but the swelling has gone way down.

Nice scar!

21 days post-surgery

I am officially down to one crutch and can shuffle around my room and other small spaces without any crutch at all. The strength is definitely returning. Flexibility? Not so much. Fully extending my leg while standing is still very difficult.

The swelling has all but subsided.

Stitches dissolved; one last piece of scab there

2012 Goals

It's impossible for me to set running goals for 2012, as I am still recovering from surgery and not yet sure when I can begin running again. When one is healthy, it's quite easy to set goals, as there's a basis for them. I don't have that yet. Maybe impossible is the wrong word. Perhaps I meant ill-advised, as I don't want to set myself up for disappointment.

My goals, therefore, are more geared toward regaining my strength. All I'm interested in doing right now is strengthening my leg back up. I want 100% strength in my legs before I take even a single running step. And if it takes all of 2012 to meet that goal, then so be it. I don't want to jeopardize the healing process. The three-stage healing process, that is: inflammation, proliferation and remodeling. I must be smart about things. I will be smart about things.

I am now 18 days post-surgery and still feel confident that things will eventually return to normal. I do have my ups and downs, but I mostly feel content. The plan is to continue physical therapy one time per week for the next several weeks and then to see the surgeon back in early February. I believe that, by then, I will have ditched the last crutch and be ready to begin strengthening my leg back up, riding my bicycle, etc.