Day 35: 2012 Ends!

Day 35:

The end of 2012 has been a very busy one.  I finally have a permanent orthopedic support in my shoe.  PT is still going strong and I am looking forward to planning my first run in the new year.

This is the first year that I can say I actually kept my New Year's Resolution.  One of them was to "be healthier."  Now, don't get me wrong, I didn't lose any weight, I didn't finish any races, or go on any crazy diets.  What I did do was change my attitude.  I finally decided healthy isn't what's on the scale or what's on my plate.  Healthy is the way I view myself and my determination to continue to work out despite some real set backs.

For those just tuning in, 2012 started with a commitment to exercise more.  I attended an exercise class and ended up in physical therapy.  The upside?  A knee that has caused me problems since I was a teen is now fixed for life.  So, I joined a running group and ended up in physical therapy again.  The upside?  The ankle injury that messed up my knee in the first place is now getting fixed for good.  All this means is that 2013 should be an injury free year!

With that said, I know have to set some new New Year's Resolutions.  Turn in tomorrow to find out what the new plan is.

Running out of 2012.
Lisa

Day 31: Moving Foward Slowly

Day 31:

Wow, it's been awhile since I've updated everyone.  Christmas Eve was busy and Christmas Day was relaxing.  As far as running (for 60 seconds) this weekend?  I was convinced by a friend to wait and was rewarded by my PT with some new exercises.

Physical Therapy last night was a little tougher than normal.  My PT started the session off by moving me from the bike to the elliptical machine.  I used to love this machine when I went to the gym, but not so much now.  It was harder than I expected and felt weird too.  Then she announced that some of my exercises were too easy.  This never bodes well for me. 

Soon, I found myself leaping like a kid trying to play hopscotch but never getting past the first square.  Yeah, leaping as in pushing off with my bad foot in the middle of a run.  So, I may not have run over the weekend, but I started to run for more than 60 seconds last night.  We ended the night on the treadmill with a fast walk.  Hopefully, this means I will be running soon.

Well, I gotta get my day going with another PT session before going to foot doctor for a follow up with my foot support and then off to work.  Have a great day everyone! 

Leaping my way into running.
Lisa

Day 26: Time to Run?

Day 26:

So, I had a long day yesterday that ended with PT.  My therapist and I discussed my run (or really a walk).  She kinda frowned on my running and doesn't want me to run this weekend.  I don't see her until Wednesday.  That's four days away!  I usually run three times a week and try not to go more than two days between runs. 

So, the question is - To run, or not to run?

A dilemma that I have waited three weeks to face.  I know I have to be careful to not re-injure my ankle, but I am so anxious to run.  I never thought I would miss so much. 

Well, I am determined to keep my three times a week routine.  So, I guess I am going to make some time during this holiday weekend to run once between now and Wednesday.  That 60 second run was great!  And I sooo want to do it again. 

Guess I'm running!

Lisa

Day 24: Blizzard!

Day 24:

Wow, I woke up this morning sore from my very short run yesterday.  But that's okay because tonight there is a small little blizzard roaring outside.  So, tonight I will just snuggle up a little closer with my hubby and listen to the wind.

Training resumes tomorrow night at PT.  Good thing I will be inside.  It is cold out there!

Running for the blankets tonight.

Lisa

Day 23: First Run

Day 23:

Tonight my running partner and I went out for my first run in about 5 weeks.  It was quite amusing to open up my Couch to 5k app and have this message staring at me: It has been awhile since you've trained.  You might want to start over.

So, with that said, my friend and I started over.  We walked about 1 mile with me running about 60 seconds toward the beginning.  That was all the running my ankle is able to handle for now.  Slowly but surely though I will complete a 5k sometime this spring.  So, with my first 60 seconds under my belt, I will train hard and steadily.  Even if it takes several months to get back to where I was. 

Looking forward to my next 60 second run.

Lisa

Day 22: Running Again!

Day 22:

Yes!  You read the title correctly!  I was cleared to start running yesterday!

Now, before anyone gets too excited (including myself), I have been limited - severely.  Like, I am to do mostly walking for now and run only about 60 seconds at a time and stop before there is pain.  My PT got me on the treadmill, but only let me walk today.  However, we set a new goal of getting me running for 8-10 minutes before being dismissed from PT.  That gives me about 6 weeks to get there.

Oh well, I am so excited about this one little milestone.  It means that I am one step closer to my goal of running a 5k.

Finally running,
Lisa

Day 20: Small Kindnesses

Day 20:

This weekend, I took my boys to see the movie "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey."  Of course, all three of us loved the movie and discussed Peter Jackson's reasons for his choices in presenting a children's book as a multi-movie.  But as amazingly good as Tolkien's book was and as visually stimulating as Jackson's movie was, it was a conversation between two of the characters that really made me think, especially in light of recent events.

Somewhere in the middle of the movie, there is a conversation between the wizard Gandalf and the Lady of Lórien.  The elfin leader asks Gandalf, "Why choose the Halfling?"  In other words, a gang of rough, homeless, battle hardened dwarves asks you to find one more person for their quest to slay a dragon and take back their birthright and home and you pick someone from the smallest, gentlest, weakest, and least likely to fight race in all the world.  What were you thinking?

At first, Gandalf responds with, "I don't know."

Then...

"I think a great evil cannot be defeated with power.  It is small acts of kindness, gentleness and love that will overcome evil."

Hmm...   I think I've heard this before.

‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.  Zechariah 4:6b

So, what is the Spirit of the LORD Almighty like?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control.  Galatians 5:22-23

So in other words, the way to defeat the evils of this world is not with guns, knives, swords, or wands, but with small acts of kindness, gentle words, and demonstrations of love. 

I don't know about you, but I will continue to hug my boys every day, say "I love you" to my husband, smile at strangers, and look for any way to make the person standing next to me smile.  Maybe if enough of us do this, there will be less violence in the world.

Running with kindness.

Lisa

 

Day 18: Tragedy

Day 18

 

Today is a very sad and tragic day for the families in Newtown, Conn.  It is hard to stay focused on my small problems when something so huge is happening a few states away.  That is one of the reasons I used the web address runningfreefinally.  Being able to run is a physical expression of the changes Jesus has made in me.  I am free of the fear that at one time would have made me run and hide from the world because of how scary it can be.  I no longer run in fear, but run with courage.

 

In light of all that, I really just want to re-post something Max Lucado wrote earlier today in response to today's events.  I think this really sums it all up.  Thank you Max.

 

Dear Jesus,

It's a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.

These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated.

The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?

...

Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod's jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence.

Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.

Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won't you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.

This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.

Hopefully,
Your Children

(Written today by author and speaker, Max Lucado) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/max-lucado/a-christmas-prayer_2_b_2302548.html

Day 17: Human Again!

Day 17:

I woke up this morning finally feeling good.  It has been weeks!  Plus, I had physical therapy today and even though I am sore, I am not exhausted.  What a good feeling!

Monday is my next doctor's appoint for my ankle, so I had a mini evaluation in PT.  There has been some progress, but I will need to continue for a few more weeks.  The good news is that I get fitted for a support on Monday too, which means that I might be allowed to start running next week.  The PT is going to ask to get me cleared for the treadmill next week.  Yippee!  I never thought I would be so excited about the prospect of being able to run!

Hoping to run next week.

Lisa

Day 14: Exhausted

Day 14:

Has it really been 2 weeks since I decided to try again?  Wow!  I feel like I have made no progress.  It's kinda depressing. 

I ended up leaving work early today due to exhaustion.  Went to PT after an hour nap then on to my oldest son's Christmas concert.  It's so hard to be depressed when listening to such beautiful music - to know how hard all these kids have worked to make something that sounds so good.

That's really what I need to focus on; the end product.  I need to fix my eyes on the goal of running a 5k and know that it will take a lot of hard work to get there.  This is only the beginning.  This is only week 2.  When my son started playing an instrument, week two was a lot of duck noises.  Tonight, it was a solo on "Auld Lang Syne".  For me, today is 8 mins. on a bike.  Someday it will be running 3.1 miles without stopping. 

Hebrews 12:1b-2a
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

Keeping my eyes fixed on the true reason to run in life.

Lisa

Day 13: Rising From the Dead

Day 13:

Rising from the dead is exactly how I feel.  I have been hit hard with the flu and have been in bed for a week.  Tomorrow though I am back to work and doctor appointments and physical therapy.

Run a mile or two for me while I blow my nose.

Running (or napping) soon.

Lisa

Day 5: Jingle Bell Run

Day 5

Today I was suppose to run my first 5k.  Instead I watched and cheered my friends on.  It was exciting to actually see a race for the first time. 

I don't think I have ever encountered a group of athletes like runners before.  Of course the crowd cheers for the first group who crosses the finish line just like in every other sport.  Then, those that have finished join the crowd and cheer on everyone else.  Runners that just took first place in their division are standing next to me yelling, "You're almost there!  You can do it!  Finish strong!"

I even saw a few of the runners cross the finish line, go back out onto the course, and run with a struggling friend, cheering them on to the end.

I wish there were more people like that in everyday life.  Wouldn't it be great if those who are great at something are not only working hard at that something, but cheering on those trying to do the same?  Even if that means finishing the task and going back to part of it again with someone who is struggling?  I guess that's what is called mentoring.  Finding something you're good at, doing it, cheering and guiding someone else to the same goal.

None of those runners gave up first place, but they sacrificed their pride and a little well deserved rest to make sure someone else finished the race.  Mentors don't have to give up their goals and objects, just sacrifice a little time and energy to make sure someone else reaches theirs too. 

Seems so simple.

I definitely have some work to do now.

Learning to run the race well and cheer from the sidelines.

Lisa