Sunday, July 18, 2021

What An Runner Does When They Can't Run and I Tried it! Rx Plant Bars

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. 
Trigger alert: I have included 2 photos of my foot in this post. If you find this disturbing, you may want to scroll on by or skip the post altogether. I'd be happy to forward a copy of the post without the photos, too. 

Alternative Titles:

Musings of an Injured Runner
They See Me Rollin'
I'd Kick Myself If I Was Able To
Sitting on the Sidelines is No Fun
Act Your Age Not Your Shoe Size


I have to start out by emphasizing just how naive I was about recovery following my leg and foot fracture. Having had stress fractures in the past, I thought that since the ortho put me in a boot that I'd be good to go back to work this week. I mean, come on, he told me the fractures were 'clean'. I didn't need surgery. My pain was well managed with ibuprofen. 
Silly, silly me. By Sunday, I still couldn't walk without my crutches. I took my neighbor up on her offer of a scooter to help me with long distances. My hubs took me to Target--I know my way around the store--and I enjoyed rolling up and down the aisles. The scooter came without a basket so I ordered one from Amazon. It came with streamers and a bell. 

They see me rollin'...

I am grateful for the boot instead of having a cast, though. I wasn't told I couldn't remove the boot, so I have been taking it off to shower and to sleep. I pulled out an old body pillow from my pregnancy days and that supports my leg nicely in the bed. When you wear a cast, you don't see what's going on with your leg.  Since I am able to remove the boot, I can see that the bruising spread from my toes to my knee. I also have bruising on the bottom of my foot and on the inside of my heel. Seeing all that bruising was a little frightening at first, but it reinforced what a traumatic injury this truly was. Now that the bruises are resolving and the swelling is starting to recede, my leg is a rainbow of colors. If my foot is in a dependent position too long, it swells up and my toes go numb. I have started using my ChilWellness CBD salve on the ankle a couple of times a day and that seems to help a lot.



After Sunday, I called off work for the entire week. On Tuesday, the nurse I work with called me about a few of my complex patients who needed medication refills and some paperwork that needed signing. After some discussion, I agreed to go in on Wednesday for video visits from my desk only. You know that's not how it went. I won't go into details, but about 3 hours in, I was having serious regrets about my decision. I should have known better. On Thursday, I woke up feeling pretty bad. There was pain, but I also felt kind of sick. While it's hard for me to get my head around that being in the office for 6 hours was 'overdoing it', that's exactly what it was. Humbling.

I mostly spent my days on the couch with Cocoa by my side. I've been reading a lot of books. Updating some blog posts. Making new playlists on Spotify. And yes, I've been shopping. Inkburn came out with some really cute new patterns and I ordered these shorts. Oiselle has been kind enough to send me daily 'FastFave' sale alerts, which is a code to get 50% off on a particular product. On Monday, it was the Power Pocket shorts and yes, I ordered them. I also got an email for 30% off Swiftwick socks, so I optimistically ordered a couple of pairs for trail running. My husband brings in the packages and I tell him it's my incentive to get moving again. 

Just checking on me...or judging me, I can't be sure

As the week went on, I started to feel much better. By Friday, I could stand on the injured leg in the shower. I'm still using one crutch to get around and the scooter for longer distances. On Friday, Marcia brought lunch and flowers and we spent a couple of hours catching up on life both on and off the road. I hadn't seen her for 18 months! Let's hope it's not that long before I see her again. My sister brought lunch on Saturday. And on Saturday night, I went with my sons to a bar in Chicago to listen to a band that one of the boys' friend's dad is in. It was a lot of fun!


I definitely got more than I bargained for with this injury. Thankfully, the wrist injury has simmered down--probably due to inactivity- but it's still reminding me that it's there. My youngest son and I are driving up to Door County Wisconsin as you read this. We had plans to do lots of hiking and adventuring. I'm going to do my best. Stay tuned. 

I keep myself inspired by wearing old race shirts, to remind me of what I can do. I feel surprisingly--for me--upbeat and positive. I'm looking forward to returning to training with Sammy Jo after my trip up north. A week before I broke my leg, I bought a new pair of Brooks Adrenalines. I got to wear them once. They're waiting for me by the back door, another reminder that I can and I will!

I Tried It! Rx Plant Bars


Recently, I won an IG giveaway thanks to Jenny 'Runny Legs' and Rx Bars! The prize was 2 boxes of the new Rx Plant Bars and a $50 gift card towards the purchase of any variety of Rx Bars. Like regular Rx Bars, Rx Plant Bars are completely natural and are made with nuts and/or peanuts and dates, and are gluten-free. Instead of using eggs for protein, the plant bars use pea protein. They also contain oats, which gives the bar some texture. While I like the regular Rx bars--especially the Sea Salt Chocolate variety--they are really chewy! The Rx Plant bars are soft, almost crumbly, a texture some might find kind of messy. There are two varieties--chocolate chip and peanut butter. They actually remind me of the vegan protein cookie that I shared on my IG a while back, which may be why I like them so much. The Rx plant bars are not very sweet, so if you prefer some of the more popular commercially available bars, you may not like these. I prefer the plant-based variety to the regular Rx bars and plan to purchase them in the future!



How was your week? Tell me something funny! Have you tried Rx Bars? 

I'm linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Rundown. 



38 comments :

  1. What A Roller Coaster - Such A Bummer - Healing From Within Feels Like Forever - However, Thankful You Have The Family And All Their Support - What A Game Changer - Slow And Steady Wins The Race - You Got This - Stay Strong

    Cheers

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  2. Your foot already looked so much better than it did at the onset. It was so great to see you and catch up! Glad your guys took you out for some fun. Enjoy your time in DC!

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  3. Despite the bad moment I see you are in good spirit and it helps to heal sooner. Get well soon, we want to read about your running adventures as soon as possible. Glad you spent good time with your sons.
    I wear old race shirts too but my favorite ones are 2 shirts that I wore when I was in the Navy team.
    enjoy your time in DC.

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    1. My favorites are my Chicago Marathon shirts. That will always be my favorite marathon. It was a good teacher and it was also a lot of fun!

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  4. When my Mom broke her shoulder, the bruising went down to her elbow -- I'm glad she had a sling to keep her from obsessing over it. LOL on the shopping. I just bought a bunch of InkNBurn gear before my Achilles sidelined me, and have been wearing the tops for non-running -- they are so gorgeous any way.

    How great to see Marsha and go out with your boys!

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    1. I really enjoyed seeing Marcia and my sister. I wasn't sure if I could handle being out like that with the boys but it was fun!!!

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  5. That scooter is great!! I wish I had had one.

    Glad to hear that you have had some wonderful visitors.

    Enjoy your weekend away. Even with your injury I'm sure you'll enjoy nature and time with your sons.

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    1. Hoping that we can do at least some of the stuff we had planned!

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  6. So great that Marcia and your sister were able to visit, and so fun to get out with your boys! I continue to quick healing vibes your way.

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  7. Nice to see having such a positive attitude about all of this! I know you are really upset but you will be back! Having friends visit is the best medicine. Hope your weekend away distracts you a bit. A little retail therapy is always good too! Love the scooter :) Feel good friend

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    1. I'm surprised about me feeling so positive too, it's so unlike me, lol! I'm sure having the next two weeks off for a planned vacation doesn't hurt...

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  8. Ughhhhhh I still feel so bummed for you about this injury!! it sucks! BUT it sounds like there is slight improvement and it's only better from here! How sweet of Marcia and nice that you got to catch up1!

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  9. I'm sorry that its been so hard to navigate this injury! Glad you got to see Marcia and your sons! Hopefully it keeps improving quickly.

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    1. I'm hoping my foot swelling goes down enough to squish my foot into my bike shoe! I'm ready to pedal (inside, on the trainer)!

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  10. Well, good to see you still have your sense of humor! I like the alternative title "I'd kick myself if I was able to" and love the basket for your scooter (extra bonus that you included the porta potty in that picture!) This whole injury sounds like a nightmare, but it can only get better, right?
    Good luck in Door County- hope you're able to have some fun! And thanks for the Rx Plant bar review- I'll check them out.

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    1. A sense of humor is essential right now!! I'm wearing a t-shirt that says 'gravity is my only weakness'. LOL

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  11. This post brings back so many memories for me...I went into work between my break and my surgery and it was SO dumb of me to do so. I was so tired and in so much pain. I also remember posting similar gruesome photos of my foot!

    But WOW- already weight bearing in the shower! That's amazing Wendy. You'll make it through this and it will be a funny memory to look back on :)

    Keep on posting the gruesome foot pics, ha!

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    1. I don't know about funny, but definitely this will keep me telling stories. Not sure if i'm going to scale the rope again.

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  12. I am glad you are feeling better but take it easy. I know it isn't easy but you need to rest and heal. I did not buy any of the Oiselle shorts but did buy a shirt and a few bras.

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    1. You sound like my sister, lol! I am definitely behaving myself, but it's not easy!!

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  13. I love that you added the basket with ribbons to your scooter! It made me sad to see the swelling and bruising on your foot :( I can't imagine how sore and painful it must be, but you're doing everything right to heal.

    Cocoa is just the cutest, and I love that photo with your sons - looks like you all had so much fun!

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    1. It's been less and less painful; i'm happy to see the forward progress!

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  14. I was able to borrow a friend's scooter, last fall, and it came in so handy. I just kept it at the office, since that's where I did the bulk of my walking around. No fancy basket or streamers, though. A positive attitude was so key to both of my recoveries; it really helped me to see & appreciate the big picture and not dwell on my current (sidelined) situation. Chin up! ;-)

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  15. Well done for being upbeat and optimistic, Wendy!
    And that's a lovely photo of you with your boys.
    So nice of Marcia to bring you lunch and flowers - I'm guessing it must be quite a trip for her to come to your house.
    Oh, and is your husband doing all the cleaning/cooking/washing? Or do you hobble around and do it yourself?

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    1. Marcia lives not too far from me! We used to meet for lunch monthly before the pandemic.

      My husband always does the cooking. The cleaning, not so much. I'm hiring a cleaning service.

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  16. I didn't know those bars were available in a plant-based format; I will have to check them out.

    I'm glad you're down to one crutch--when I fractured my pelvis, and even though I used them correctly, being on crutches screwed up one of my wrists. So I was a little worried for you on that count.

    And yes, it's humbling when you realize you've overdone it, or realize you have to modify things.

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    1. I'm glad I only need one crutch--and on my left side. The right wrist is the one with the torn tendon. No need to poke the bear, lol

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  17. It sounds like you have a great support system in your family, friends and Cocoa to take your mind off things. So cool you even went out to hear the live band with your boys!

    Time will fly by and you'll be back to training in no time. Maybe this slowing down will be good for your wrist too and you'll have gotten rid of both issues in the end. Good as new!😄

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    1. Fingers crossed!!! I'm just grateful for all that I can do.

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  18. Here's hoping your swelling goes down and your foot/ankle continue to heal. Hang in there, you're doing great!

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  19. Breaking bones is exhausting! Crutches are hard. The boot is hard. Everything is just hard. I still have an ugly scar/spot on the back of my heel from the splint and boot, but I am so happy you can have some free, boot-less time. That helps so much!

    Not getting to run sucks, too. I do hope this recovery flies by for you!

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    1. It's nice to hear from someone who gets it. I'm just trying to do as much as possible. But the exhaustion is real!!

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