Day 218 - I miss snowboarding!

Monday, December 30, 2013 - Week 67

I miss snowboarding! It's been such a dry season this year, no snow! I decided not to board this season anyways. Too nervous and scared. It's summer weather this winter in San Francisco~ 

I was having my snowboarding cravings and had to put on my boots and board to get my fix haha. I was also curious how my ankle would feel inside the tightly wrapped up boots. It's been about 1 year and 2 months since I broke my ankle. 

So I stepped into the boot and felt fine. Then I laced it up and it felt so tight. I walked around the house and felt the metal pressing against the boot. It was a weird new feeling for me. It didn't hurt but just a weird maybe sort of uncomfortable feeling. My foot was so snug and wrapped up in there, my ankle felt very safe. Still nervous to board though. I don't know how it would feel in the cold? 

Then I had to step into my board. So fun! Then I was thinking what if I get stuck in the snow like I once did with the tip of my board and my legs and ankles all twisted with pressure on the calf. I felt like hm, maybe I can snowboard? I do know someone who broke the same bone and had the same surgery with almost the same amount of nails in his ankle and snowboards. He said he had no problems with it! Do I dare to board? Still contemplating. Definitely not this season anyway. It gives me more time to heal. I'll see next season. Sigh. 

When I took off my boot, there was a bit of uncomfortable pressure from bending my foot and pulling it out with force. Felt a bit of that sore feeling. Not in any pain at all! Just happy and excited I was able to wear my boot and snowboard haha. 

Maybe one day I'll be back...

Day 194 - It's Winter and I can feel the cold in my ankle!

Friday, December 6, 2013 - Week 63

Winter is here! There's finally rain in San Francisco during these few days. It hailed tonight!

I can feel the weather change in my ankle! Whenever it starts to get cold or rain is coming. It's kind of feels like a toothache, except it's in my ankle. It's this slight pinch discomfort on the metal parts of my ankle. It's my first winter with this hardware. It's been a year and almost 3 months since my surgery. I'll see how I'll hold up for the rest of the winter. It will get me thinking about removing this hardware if it gets really bad. I'll have to see. 

Day 174 - Bowling!

Saturday, November 16, 2013 - Week 60

I went bowling at Classic Bowl tonight! 

It was so much fun! I played a total of 5 games! The most exciting part of it is beating 2 of my friends haha.

My special pose got me a few of those wins.

It's been over a year and a half since I last played. By game 4, I felt really tired. I also accidentally ran past the line, slipped and fell too! No pain but just felt sore. Definitely felt very tired and sore by game 5. Bowling is a workout, I was sweating. I was so happy and excited! Can't wait to bowl again!

Day 164 - My scar is itchy!

Wednesday, November 6, 2013 - Week 59

It's been a few weeks! I am feeling better as each day passes! I definitely feel stronger and more balanced. I still do some of the ankle exercises everyday. After a long day of walking, I do get tired faster and sometimes need to sit and stretch for some rest. It feels like I can still improve. Most importantly, I'm in no pain and not limping! By now, I'm use to the stretched skin from the metal inside. It's like I forget it's even in there. I can't feel it! However, I walk with caution anywhere I go. I notice I am more aware of what is in front of every step. 

Today, my scar is itchy! At the very bottom of my scar end, there's a tiny lump of the skin from the scar you can't see protruding out. That lump is so itchy! It's a bit red from me scratching just below it. I thought it was a mosquito bite at first but when I looked at what I was scratching, it was actually my scar haha.

Day 140 - Fourth time back at the track for a run.

Sunday, October 13, 2013 - Week 55

I'm back at CCSF Track for run.

I stayed in lane #1 for my entire run. I ran for a total of 2 miles. Each lap I ran a 3/4 and walked the last quarter. A total of 9 laps around the track and the final lapped I walked to cool down.

After my first mile, I did feel tired already. My ankle felt fine, no pain or strain. I did feel a weird ache in my heel of all places. It was a first time for this feeling. It was kind of weird. As if someone was pushing hard onto my heel whenever I took a step on that foot. It only lasted for a few seconds and then it went away completely.

My thighs are getting bigger! That means my muscles are coming back! The last time I ran, I wasn't limping the next day like I did a few months ago when I ran! I was so happy! Definitely a lot more comfortable running and feeling stronger. My goal is to run without stopping one day. 

I tried #6 about 4 months ago and clearly I wasn't ready. I'm back to #5 on the track and feeling great! I'm so happy every time I go back =)

Day 133 - Third time back at the track for a run.

Sunday, October 6, 2013 - Week 54

It's been about 4 months since I last ran on a track. It seemed so long ago. This time I went to CCSF Track. I forget how close this track was to my house. It's so nice and new! 

Being here brings back a lot of memories. That white building straight ahead was where I took an art class about 9 years ago. 

I stayed in lane #1 for my entire run. I ran for a total of 2 miles. Each lap I ran a 3/4 and walked the last quarter. The start of my second mile I definitely felt tired. It's been so long since I last ran I took my time and made sure I didn't run for too long. 

I did it! I was so happy to be back at running and felt great after. My ankle was tired and the sore feeling came quick. After a few hours, I had a bit of a limp. I am in no pain! Mostly sore and tired. 

My thighs are close to equal! I can say that I feel more comfortable running now then I did about 4 months ago when I last ran on June 15! I'm glad to have made the decision to take a break from running. I feel so much stronger then I did then. I am also more balanced and comfortable in my ankle today. I still feel like I have some ways to go with my healing progress and continue my running progression. Oh yea, I bought new shoes just for running! These shoes felt very light and comfortable. Perfect for the track. My old ones were from about 10 years ago and it was time to start fresh. I'll be back to this track for sure. Very few people, clean, quiet, and convenient. I'm excited for my future runs! 

Day 332 - Hiking!

Saturday, October 5, 2013 - Week 54

I went hiking at Laurel Park today! It was such a nice day! I got some good tanning action too. I can't believe I walked up this steep rocky trail. I felt fine, no pain at all. But I still felt a bit nervous and was very cautious where I stepped. 

From the top, I got great views of the city. It was so relaxing. The trails were very rugged!

It was a perfect day for hiking. Got me sweating good. While going downhill, it was a bit more challenging. I had to be very careful because some areas had very loose gravel. My 2 friends slipped a few times. Luckily I didn't. It's been about 5 hours since I finished hiking and I can definitely feel my ankle soreness. I'm very tired now. It was too much fun! Great workout! I was so excited to be out hiking! Mostly, happy because I can hike once again! I can't wait for more!