Run, Forrest?

I have unexpectedly found a new love--the elliptical machine! All the bikes were taken at the gym, so I reluctantly got on an elliptical and much to my surprise it was awesome! It was the first time in a year that I've been able to use all my muscles at once; and the first time in much longer that I've been able to mimic anything close to running. I was so much in awe of my new found love that I ditched the rest of my workout and just "ran." I had visions of Forrest Gump playing in my head, I could have ran for a week. But I eventually had to return to reality and get on with my day, but got right back at it the next day. Even better is that I may not be doomed to just the bike, it gets SO VERY boring. On the flip side, I got in the pool today and there are just certain movements in the water that down right hurt. Don't get me wrong, water exercise is a great way to recover from any injury, but because the water resists in all directions and because of the weird angles you can move in, I find that I still need to be careful.

For your entertainment (it starts a little slow, but the best I could find):

She Did What?!

I got a little crazy today and laced up a pair of ice skates to hit the ice for the first time since January. The second I took to the ice I became a bundle of nerves, very aware of all the potential trip hazards that could cause a wipe out. As I was making my way around I couldn't help but think how ironic it is that last winter after surgery #1 I did everything possible to avoid ice, and here I was today voluntarily subjecting myself to slippery conditions. I took 4 laps around, with my right skate pressed firmly into the ice and letting my left (good) leg do the work. It felt good to do something normal, but it will be a while before I'm comfortable helping my 2 1/2 year old glide around on his skates (he's still a beginner.)

PT Graduation Day!!

Major accomplishment in my PAO world to report on--today I graduated from physical therapy. Or as they put it, I am now 'discharged'. I like to think of it as an honorable discharge seeing how much blood, sweat, and tears I devoted to the cause--literally. I have spent 10 MONTHS in PT this year over the course of my 2 hip surgeries. What a relief to give up my standing bi-weekly appointments. Nice people there, but I hope I never need their services again!

During my final evaluation I was tested on range of motion and strength, and had vast improvements in all areas. Although none of my levels were 'normal', they were 'functional'. So what does that mean? I have some more work to do on my own, and I do feel that my hip & leg still has room for advancement. It's now completely up to me to make sure that I reach optimal levels. More weights and more biking are in my future, probably for the rest of my life. At least I'll be able to enjoy it pain-free.

So given all that, and the fact that I bought gas for $1.54 today, I'd say I'm having a great day--what more could a girl ask for?

Planning for the Future

Does anyone know how many weeks post-PAO I am??!! Hold on, let me calculate . . .WOW, the answer is 20 weeks!! So I'm still not running any marathons--not that I ever did or ever intend to, but I can say that I'm hitting the gym hard, getting around just fine, and planning for the future. So what does that mean? It means that hip pain does not consume me anymore. It means that I'm preparing to return back to my job as a fitness instructor (hello to all my participants out there!) It also means that I'm going back to doing things that I use to do--this week I plan on hitting the ice as I just found skates small enough to fit my son. Ok, so maybe that's a bit aggressive, but it's not like anyone will be checking me into the boards or anything, and as long as I'm gliding across the ice there is no impact, right?!. I'll have to report on how that goes later in the week. . .