Stupid Broken Foot - Week 13

Last week I had my 12-week follow-up visit with my Orthopedic. 

Strangely enough, you can still see the break on the x-ray.  Apparently, this is completely normal.  The Doc said that there tends to be a lag between what the x-ray shows and how the foot actually feels.  And, my foot is feeling better and better (thank God). 

The good news - the Doc said that I can go back to a regular shoe. Up until now, my options were the orthopedic shoe (which I wear to work) or my running shoes (which I wear everywhere else).  Hooray for real shoes!  On both feet!  Now this does not mean I get to wear heels yet (or evil flip flops), but it's a start.  I can live with flats for awhile longer.

Look Ma!  Two shoes!

More good news - I can start including "long walks" in my exercise routine in addition to the swimming and spin bike workouts I've already been doing.  But, I need to work up the mileage gradually.  And, if I don't have pain after a few weeks of walking, the Doc said I can add a little jogging.  Woohoo!  I guess I should have asked for clarification on the Doc's definition of "long walks", because the next day (Tuesday) I went out for a 1-mile walk.  I felt great afterwards, so the next day I went out for a 1.5 mile walk.  That felt great, too!  I did take a rest the next day and then went for a 2-mile walk on Friday.  On Saturday, the Kiddo and I went out shopping and I was on my foot all day.  Needless to say, I think I overdid it, because the foot has been hurting and achy since. 

Humph.

So, this week it's swim, spin and more swim, spin.  If the foot feels better by Monday, I may attempt a 1-mile walk again.  Or less.  Who would have thought a mile or two would be too much?  Ugh. 

The Doc said that he really thinks I can be running again by December.  After this week, I'm not so sure.  But, I am trying to be patient.  I've read several articles online that said it can take as long as 22 weeks for a bone to heal 100% and I do want my foot to be completely healed before I start IMTX training in January. Unfortunately, it looks like I am going to be starting over with the running.  I may give deep water aqua-jogging a try over the next few weeks though, just to build up some endurance.



Remember this lovely aquajogging gear from the hip blip of 2012?  Lacy, I really do need to get this back to you!!!

I don't think I've mentioned this before, but I really do like my Doc!  He is trying very hard to compromise with me by allowing me to do something without doing too much.  He said the easiest thing would be to tell me to stay off my foot for 12-weeks, but realizes that this would drive me crazy.  At the same time, he could tell me to attempt my normal workouts....but he realizes that my "normal" workouts (i.e. prepping for a 70.3) are not what the general population would consider normal.  (Silly triathletes)

This morning I was giving a lot of thought to the Houston 1/2 Marathon.  Technically, if (big if) I can start running in December (really running), I might get my mileage up to 5 or 6 miles by January 18 (which also happens to be my birthday!).  Technically, I could walk/run the half marathon.  I know my finish time would suck (and live on forever at Athlinks.com), but I am pretty sure I could get'er done. However, I also know that it might not be the smartest thing I've attempted and might even cause a re-injury.  With my eye on the prize (IMTX in May), I know that I should defer.  Ugh, guess it's just something else I should ask the Doc at my next visit....decisions, decisions!  And to think, I thought I'd be running by now....sigh!  Patience.