Day 192 - I can wear heels!

Friday, May 31, 2013 - Week 35

I just got back from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico! My first real vacation since my injury! I had a great time just eating and relaxing by the pool and beach. I got a bit of a honey tan and it sort of covered up my scar. My scar seem to have healed up nicely too.

Since I am in my good friend's wedding coming in about a month, I am suppose to start looking for some heels for my dress. I told her I don't know how my ankle is with heels yet but I'll start looking. So I went downstairs to try on some wedges for the first time and it turns out I felt completely fine and was able to walk normal in them! So excited but nervous at the same time! Then I think, what if I trip? What if I step on something uneven? I'll get that pinch feeling again? I just don't know. I should be careful. I tried on some low 2 inch stilettos and was fine walking in them too! So happy! Time to shop for some new heels!!!

Day 185 - Exactly 8 months since injury and wearing Flip Flops!

Friday, May 24, 2013 - Week 34

Today marks exactly 8 months from the day I injured myself! Time really flies! I feel at about 95% right now. No more limping! However, when I do have long walks I do get really tired. Sometimes the baby limp sneaks in and you can notice very little of it. I do notice when I sit in chairs and dangle my feet for a while, it starts to feel stiff and I would need to stretch it out a bit to warm it back up. I guess the circulation cuts off faster now since there are foreign objects inside my ankle. The metal doesn't bother me at all! All 9 screws and a plate. When I accidentally bump into a stair case or anything on that ankle, of course I get that weird uncomfortably ouch feeling. But I'm not like in dying pain haha. 

I am happy to say I can run now! Still on the treadmill doing my running progression homework to build back up to running on the road. Not at my 100% yet of course. More of a jogging pace. Next I will try the track before running on dirt. I am still surprised how far I've come. It's such a great feeling to be back on my feet. =)  I can wear flip flops now and walk in them comfortably! I have been wearing flip flops for about 3 weeks(not everyday) now completely fine and able to walk long distances with them. Yay! I still haven't tried wearing heels yet. I'll be sure to update when I finally do. 

Day 179 - No more pinching in the ankle! 3rd times a charm at Ft. Funston

Saturday, May 19, 2013 - Week 33

This is the 3rd time I went to Ft. Funston and this time there is no more pinching in the ankle when I walk on uneven sand! I wasn't sore or anything after about 2 hours of walking. Pebbles was happy to be back at Ft. Funston of course. I felt great! Limping is going away! I did walk a bit slower though getting back to my car. I was very tired by the end of the walk. Went home, took a shower, and used the chinese medicine. I'm so happy!

Day 177 - Was able to run for a total of 20 minutes!

Thursday, May 17, 2013 - Week 33

I woke up today feeling really strong and comfortable in the ankle. I can say I felt about 95% today! I was surprised and happy to notice that I now almost cannot feel the metal in my ankle as if I never got the surgery! I never thought I'd actually feel my ankle again. I still don't have 100% of side to side range of motion. Always a bit stiffness once I wake up in the morning but with a little stretch and warming up to taking my first few steps and I'm good to go. No complaints, I'll take it because I'm not in pain!

This is my 4th running progression homework. It's been about 2 weeks since my last run on the treadmill. I've got a lot of time between busy doing my other ankle exercises. I was able to run for a total of 20 minutes today! [4] 2 minutes, and [4] 3 minutes of running with a minute in between each run at 4.3 speed (.1 increase)! I didn't want to push myself but it felt like I could have ran more then just 3 minute increments. I felt more balanced and definitely stronger this time around. I was less wobbly and eventually felt tired by about 18 minutes. Most importantly, no pain at all!

I continued speed walking at 3.0 speed for another 20 minutes and was sweating waterfalls again. It was a good day for me. I'm so happy!

Day 173 - Finally able to weed my backyard jungle haha

Sunday, May 12, 2013 - Week 32

Happy Mother's Day to all the mother's out there! 

My ankle is feeling good today. It is finally strong and progressed in balance enough to finally fight my backyard jungle! I am now able to step on the uneven gravel back there. It's like World War 15 out there! Weeds were as tall as me haha! It's embarassing... After about 2 hours of removing weeds, I did feel a bit sore in the ankle. I still have a long ways to go. I'll do more weeding next weekend.

Pebble's just sun bathing. What a life.

Day 168 - I GRADUATED from Physical Therapy today!!!

Tuesday, May 7, 2013 - Week 32

I woke up feeling great today. Almost felt like 100%. Just a bit stiff every morning, a few stretches and I was good to go. I dressed into my workout clothes and was ready for PT. 

11:30am came and I was on the elliptical for about 5 minutes waiting for Colleen to get me. She said depending on how I do in my exercise reviews it is possible I will graduate by the end of class! I got really excited and was concentrating to do the best I can to show her I am strong enough! 

First she had me do some single leg squats. Clearly I was much better and wasn't leaning to one side anymore. I was very balanced on both legs. Next she had me to some skips, one legged hops, lunge jumps off a 4 inch block, and some other hopping exercises. After about half an hour, she said that it looks like I'm free from PT! I've graduated!!! I was soooo happy and sweating from all the jumping exercises. I saw Serena and the pool assistant guy and shared the exciting news! Then I thanked everyone for their kindness, support, and for making this process so comfortable for me. I felt like everyone were like friends to me. I had such a great time and will miss them all. Colleen said that I was too good for PT now, but suggests I follow the running progression to eventually get back to my running outdoors. Slowly get back into it eventually. Just keep up with my homework and using the rubber band.

She also said to continue my other wall ankle joint movement exercises.

She also said that I am a perfect candidate to join in on their Total Body Fitness courses they offer there every Tuesday and Saturdays. It is best for me because it is taught by a Physical Therapist who can still let me do my thing but help me whenever they see I am in trouble or can help adjust me for certain exercises. I can also go back to gym courses as long as I know my limit and quality vs. quantity for each repetition. Basically don't hurt myself. I finally ended my session with a survey I remember taking on the first day I got here about 6 months ago to the exact date on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012 - Week 9! I can't believe how fast time flew by. This survey basically asked questions such as : Are you able to house hold chores without issues? Can you run? Can you get into and out of your bath tub? Can you walk on stairs? Basically everything I could not do about 6 months ago. 

It's crazy to me how Physical Therapy has drastically helped me get back to where I am today. I am very grateful for all the people that have helped me along the way. This has been the day I've been waiting for! I will miss this gym! I'm so happy right now! And then I went back to my car to find a $62 Street Cleaning parking ticket hahaha. I was in such a rush to get to my appointment I thought the 2 hour parking sign was ok but completely missed all the text on the other sign above it. It was too small and far to read. Oh well, I'm still happy it's finally over! Well not quite, I'll have to keep up with my homework and continue to run! Now I just can't wait to get back to running at my favorite spot by the beach! 

Day 163 - Was able to run for a total of 16 minutes!

Thursday, May 2, 2013 - Week 31

I woke up really tired today. Since I got back from Vegas this past weekend, I've only had about 6 hours of sleep every night since. My ankle felt a bit sore from the ankle socks today. I still have this tiny bit limp whenever I am tired or sore from working out the night before. Thursday is my usual gym day with my friend. I am now on my third running progression homework on the treadmill with the same alternating 1 minute of walking/1 minute of running. Once I feel tired, I increase to alternating 2 minutes of walking/1 minute of running. I am still walking at 3.0 speed and running at 4.2 speed. Even though I'm tired, I felt a bit stronger in the ankle for running today. I was able to run a total of 10 minutes every other minute alternations, then 6 more runs after every 2 minutes of walking. A total of 16 minutes of running! I felt like that was enough and didn't want to strain myself. I worked up a sweat! I am also able to walk longer distances, for a longer period of time, and at a faster pace as well! I'm happy I can feel myself getting stronger too.

I've also noticed, being in a cast took a lot of my mental energy to stay positive. I now am more outspoken and don't take any type of negativity. It basically drains me whenever there is drama around. I definitely went home with a limp tonight. Took a hot shower and put on some chinese medicine to get rid of any aching I may have from running. I am now excited to get back to running on the road some day! I do miss running by the beach or any type of body of water. Soon enough!

Day 161 - Was able to run for a total of 13 minutes!

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 - Week 31

My ankle feels great a day after coming home from Vegas. I expected my ankle to be sore from all the walking around I did but I feel stronger and completely fine! No aches, always the same waking morning stiffness. But a bit of stretching will warm me up and I'm good to go. My balance is getting better by the day too. Today is my second Running Progression Exercise Homework. I met up my friend at her gym to get some running in. I started off with walking for 4 minutes and did the usual alternate walking/running every minute. At that point, I felt a tiny knuckle crack type crunching pop on the top and inside of my ankle. My ankle was also to feel hot and tired. I started to feel heavier too. 

I lasted 10 minutes of running then increased it to 2 minutes of walking and 1 minute of running. I lasted about 3 more minutes of running from this alternation and that gave me a total of 13 minutes of running! It's 3 minutes more then the last time. The rest of my workout was continued walking at a 3.0 speed level. While my running is still at 4.2 speed level. By the end of that last run, I felt tired and that quick crunch again above and inside of my foot. A bit of pressure on the bottom outside ankle. No PAIN though! I just felt tired. Possibly also because I am still dehydrated from just getting back from Vegas this past weekend. Other then that, my ankle feels stronger, and it's progressing. I also felt that I was a bit more balanced and less duck waddle running like the very first time. I hope to keep increasing my minutes in running!