I am done

First off, I am not done with physical therapy as hoped.  The hip still aches (though my back is good).  Every time I run or pretty much do any activity, my pelvis rotates forward.  But now I know how to align it by myself.  Secondly, I’ve mentioned already my infected toe.  But I have neglected to write how I came upon that misfortune. 

The exciting history of the toe (left foot, next to pinkie):  It started with a callus, a perfectly normal occurrence with me.  But then I accidentally kicked the sharp corner of an enormously heavy lawyer’s case in my bedroom.  Okay.  That hurt.  BUT THEN, while cleaning out my boys’ closet I swiped that same toe across one of the bows my husband made (as in bow and arrow kind of bow) which put a nice slice in that same toe!

I ignored it.  Because I’m good at that.  I slapped on a Band-Aid, continued to run and limp around afterwards.  Then one day about a week ago, my husband demanded a look and dealt with it – my toe was infected and full of puss.  While I wiggled and hollered, he sliced the bubble of puss open and drained it.  Afterward, I soaked it several times a day in hydrogen peroxide, slapped anti-biotic ointment and a Band-Aid on, and continued to run.

To make a long story a tad shorter, my doctor says it’s called Paronychia.  He prescribed antibiotics and suggested that I not run this morning. 

5:00 AM I was up dressing for a trail run.  I bandaged the toe and was driving to El Moro – Ridge Park for an Emerald Bay run by 5:30 AM.  The fog covered the roads so thick it was distracting.  (I very much dislike driving in thick fog).  The weather was down right cold and gray at the park.  But that was lovely for a run.

We had five in our group today:  Myself, Sheila, Tom, Kelly and newcomer, Boris.  After taking the ridge for a bit, we headed down Emerald Falls Trail for an out-and-back down Emerald Canyon.  There was some bushwhacking, and gorgeous, yet eerily quiet trails.  The beauty immense, I was in a bit of trouble with the aching hip and toe.  By the time we were finished, I made the promise to myself (and out loud to my friends),  I am taking the whole week off from running.  Yes!  That’s what I said.  I’m not going to run until Bulldog.  Sounds crazy to me.  But I’ve got to do it.  So I decided, swimming only.  The P.T. says it will be great for the hip, and it also will do good not to have a shoe rubbing against my toe. 

Running Down Emerald Cyn

Taking in the Scenery

Heading Back on Emerald Falls Trail (One of the few flats back)

A beauty of a web – in person it resembled a piece of crystal art

Back at home again, I was overly cold.  I did my little march to find what I expected.  My right pelvis had rotated forward (down) at least an inch.  I got it aligned, soaked the toe.  A few hours later, still cold, but hip and toe much better, I crawled beneath a blanket and fell asleep for at least an hour.

So, there you have it.  I am done with running to train for Bulldog.  Adding 2 or three more tapered runs isn’t going to do me any good.  I need to get well, or I’m gonna fall flat on my face come next Saturday.

If any of you see me out on the trails – scold me!  You won’t be seeing though.  Like I said, I’m done.

Miles logged 9.75

Still I Swagger : )

I set out fearful this morning for my first trail run in a month.  Yes -- the physical therapist said trails are okay, but only "rolling hills."  I was fearful of the ole' hip -- frankly, I'm tired of the injured hip CRAP (excuse my language)! 

I woke at 5:30 this Sunday morning, my usual weekday waking hour.  I usually sleep in until at LEAST 6:30 on weekends, maybe 7:30 if I push it (8:00, 8:30 on those really blissful days).  So, so leary about heading off, yet a bit giddy about my feet hitting dirt again, I was slow prepping.  Still dark out, I drank 1 and 1/2 cups of coffee, surfed the internet,  and dressed slowly, oh so slowly, carefully placing circular moleskins on my feet where the Salomons rubbed my feet raw in the Great Silverado Footrace. (I didn't by the way, wear Salomons this morning -- I wore my trustworthy New Balance)

Hitting the trail is one thing.  Hitting the trail with a group, is an entirely other thing.  Why?  Because, when I hit the dirt solo, I can take it super easy if I want to.  In other words, I don't put pressure on myself, besides KEEP THE MOMENTUM FORWARD.  When I hit the dirt with a group, I want to keep up with the pack.  Don't get me wrong . . . I can hang being left behind -- I really don't mind going solo.  I don't mind last place.  But if I'm gonna run with a group, especially if I've left my ipod behind, I oughta run with a group.

A larger than average crowd showed up for this "New Member Run".  There were 5 non-new members (Tom, Daniel, and myself, later joined by Dave and Maura who were on a much longer run), plus 4 new members (Linda, Sarah, Kathy and her husband Dave).

The group set off pretty quickly, leaving me little time to warm-up.  Sticking to the physical therapist's directions, I stayed behind to warm-up, hoping I'd catch up with the group later.  (I was hoping that I didn't regret leaving the ipod behind :)

That first hill was no "rolling hill."  Heck.  It was difficult and lovely anyway.  It wasn't "technical" thankfully for my hip. There were sandy parts and solid parts of this mostly well-groomed trail.  Still, I was quite reluctant -- I so feared an ache to the hip.

Being that I had to have my warm-up, the other runners got quite a good start on me.  I saw up ahead that the group broke in two -- a normal occurance for group runs.  (Sometimes they break into three with groups this size).  And then I could see up ahead, Dave and a blonde female join the second group (the female, I learned later was Maura -- whom I have read about and seen on blogs, but have never met).

ANYWAY, my goal was to catch up with the group.  And though I was slow in doing so, I actually caught them before the turnaround!  This core strengthening and sprints added to road runs has indeed increased my speed.  Before this hip injury, I really don't think that I would have caught up.  The hills however, they were quite difficult.  I'm hopeful to get them back (SOON).  So hopeful, that if things go good for my next "rolling hills" run, I just might defy the physical therapist and run to the Top of the World later this week.  Shhhhh.  Don't tell anyone. : ) 

Maybe, just maybe, I'm being too hopeful.  Heck.  I'm doing my exercises.  I'm getting stronger. 

Awesome to get out in the group again.  Great to see my running pal, Tom.  Great to see Dave again.  Great to meet runners new to the group.  (Feels like I've been away for ages : ( -- yet it's only been a little over a month!)

Coming in after the five mile out-and-back, Quail Hill Trail, Irvine,  (Dave, me, Maura, Kathy -- photo courtesy Tom.)

Quail Hill In The Spring





Miles logged on this Palm Sunday:  5.0