Saturday, August 7, 2021

Adventures in Injuryland

Disclaimer: This post contains an affiliate link.

Time flies when you're having fun, right? I must be having fun because I'm almost five weeks into my injury. It's hard to believe. I am in a better frame of mind now. I've been able to settle into a new workout routine and have found some activities that help me break a sweat, burn some calories, and make my heart pound. I also went back to work this week after 3 weeks off. 

As much as I like my job, I'm not so sure it qualifies as fun. It is never dull and more often than not, very entertaining. The kids were all fascinated with my boot.

I won't deny that I miss running. One of my fellow Deer Grove trail runners posted on FB in our group that he thought her heard the deer whispering: "where is Wendy?" Which made me laugh out loud! I really miss those trails. Speaking of trails, I contacted both RDs from my two fall trail half marathons to ask for deferrals and was granted a deferral to one and a guaranteed entry to the other. I am grateful for this. Plus it gives me something to look forward to in 2022!

Friday's Assault Bike Ride
Weekly Rundown
Monday: stationary cycling, upper body strength
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: stationary cycling. upper body strength
Thursday: deep water pool running
Friday: assault bike 200 cal and upper body strength
Saturday: rest
Sunday: walk

Stationary cycling

I continued to ride my bike in the trainer. It was so nice this week that I dragged the trainer outside to our deck. The sun was shining and there was a gentle breeze while I rode. On Monday, I did an hour long Garmin ride through some random mountains. On Wednesday, I did a 30 minute GCN interval ride. Both were hard and made me work, which I loved. Sadly, my bike was not happy during either ride. I didn't tempt the chain this week and kept my gears on the smaller wheel, but during both rides, my back tire deflated, so my rim was riding on the trainer. After Wednesday's ride, I took my bike over to the bike shop for a tune-up and a new tire. They're actually going to put a trainer tire on it which should help prevent the deflating issue.


So what to do now that my bike is in the shop? I messaged Sammy Jo and asked if I could go to the CrossFit gym to ride on the assault bike. On Friday, that's what I did. Coach Jeff moved the assault bike for me--back to the exact spot where I fell. Do you think he did this on purpose? I pedaled those demons away, doing 10 intervals of 10 calorie sprints alternating with 10 cal recoveries. This ride took me a little over 30 minutes and I covered 14500 meters/9 miles. By the end, I felt like vomiting. Oddly, this felt satisfying.

Pool running

The last time I was sidelined from running was in 2016. While training for the Big Sur Marathon, I did pool running in the diving well, but it was all on my own. Now the local park district offers classes twice weekly. On Thursday, I got up early and went to my first class. The instructor is a triathlete and is certified in pool water running. Who knew there was such a thing? We did a lot of intervals in this class and I was surprised at how hard I was working. I felt like I was sweating! While I don't love to swim, I love the water and this felt wonderful. This was a great workout and I will go back to this class next week. Oh, and by the way, the boot did not go in the water with me.


Starting next week, I am also going to do one day of deep water running on my own, using the Fluid Running system. I was gifted the Fluid Running H2Go System and Digital Bundle from Jennifer Conroy, the owner of Fluid Running. I am really excited to try it out and will share a full review on the blog after I've used it a few times. They even have a workout called Take the Long Way Home and you know I'll be doing that one!

Strength training

I'm still doing just upper body strength. I don't know what I can do for my lower body right now. Hopefully, the cycling and pool running will keep me strong until I can lift again. On Monday, I did Marcia's Arms and Shoulder Workout again. That one is a burner! On Wednesday, I tried a different video, a 20 minute upper body dumbbells only workout. This one had 5 different movements, 4 sets each. 

After my assault bike ride on Friday, I did 4 sets of strict presses, 35#, followed by 4 sets of 8 bench presses, 40#. Then it was time to go to work, although at that point, I really wanted to take a nap!

And yes, walking...

Thanks to a recommendation from a blog reader, I purchased the EVENUp Shoe Balancer. I swear, there is a fix for everything! The EVENUp helps equalize limb length while wearing a walking cast or a CAM boot. I'll take it for a walk later today. Stay tuned for a review coming up in the future.



How was your week? Have you ever tried pool running, and if you did, was it a class or did you do it on your own? By the way, did you see Molly Seidel take 3rd in the women's Olympic Marathon? Did you know it was only her 3rd marathon? And that she's only the 3rd woman to medal in an Olympic Marathon? Three is a lucky number for her. Congrats to Molly!

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



43 comments :

  1. I was going to ask you if you saw that particular workout! I KNEW you would have to try it!!! I'll be trying my Fluid Running system for the first time today and considering I just banged my sore knee really hard into a desk (applied ice immediately), I can really use it!

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  2. Yes, I did see Molly & yes I knew all that because they mentioned it, LOL!

    So cool that there's a way to even up your legs while wearing a boot (while hoping I never have to use that particular nugget of ino, but you never know).

    I was just telling the friend I swam with that she should try doing some exercises in her pool -- the resistance from water is awesome!

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    1. The instructor said the resistance is 8x what we get on land!

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  3. Molly's marathon victory (an Olympic bronze is a major victory IMHO) was nothing short of stellar. She's a natural, even with only three 26.2's done. I wish I'd have known about the EVENUp a year ago...

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    1. It's definitely helpful with the boot! I'll be able to use it at work too.

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  4. I am glad to see you are finding new ways to stay active and get those endorphins in. You are going to love the fluid running program. Look forward to hearing what you think. Have a great week ahead

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    1. Excited to try it out tomorrow! This is just what I've been hoping for, I think!

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  5. You're doing a great job staying active in the boot! That's so awesome your gym offers a pool running CLASS! That would have made it a lot more fun. It was sometimes hard to self-motivate to pool run, but it does work!

    Molly Seidel is incredible. What a fun race to watch!

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    1. She was so joyful right to the end! You know she felt good. I love that she's from Wisco!

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  6. Oh I'm glad you've found a shoe adjuster, good to know they exist. I'd have put a million of my raises in the other shoe and done myself an injury if I'd been in that situation. Enjoy the pool running, and that's excellent you're able to do that. You've got this!

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    1. I tried walking today but the ankle is still not happy. Glad there are so many things that I can do.

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  7. So glad you've been able to be active. So glad the Race Directors took care of you - I feel like this last year has stressed the need to be flexible since things change so mnuch

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  8. How cool that FluidRunning has a workout just for you! I’m glad you are finding alternative activities, but the assault bike does not sound appealing!

    Sadly my November races are non-deferable. The half is actually my second deferral — one due to covid — and that’s all they offer. My 10M I specifically chose not to buy the insurance. So …

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    1. I was pleased that I was able to get deferrals. The Ice Age Trail race was deferred multiple times due to the pandemic. The irony that now I need to defer it...well, that is something, isn't it?

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  9. I'm so glad you have found ways to stay active! And thats pretty amazing that they have something to keep your feet even in the boot. I bet that will help alot!

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    1. I think it will but my ankle was a little unhappy even with it.

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  10. Ooh, the pool running class sounds great! How many people were there? Were they all injured runners, or were they just looking for something new to do?
    I'll be interested to hear your review of Fluid Running. I've thought about getting it a couple times, but it seems expensive. I already have a belt, don't need a tether, and have my headphone situation all set up. I felt like I would be paying $200 for a few workouts. But you can let me know if I'm wrong about that.
    Yay Molly!!!!! That was incredible.

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    1. There were about 20 people in the pool running class. Oddly, most of the participants were older women. The pool noodle crowd. The instructor was pretty excited to have an actual runner there, lol!

      You can buy just the Fluid Running workouts for $129. I'll do a full review in a couple of weeks. But i think i'm going to like it!

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  11. I love that you are still staying active. But how can you not, right? :-) That is funny about the deer. That is great about the deferrals. Although who knows which races will actually take place now. I do wonder about the Chicago Marathon and the other big marathons.

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    1. I keep thinking that, about the races. The way things are going...at the very least, they'll make people show proof of vaccination and/or a negative COVID test.

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  12. That's so great they offer a pool running class now. We've come a long way since the blue-hair water aerobics I guess. Wow the 5 weeks since your rope fall have flown for me. I'm sure that's not the case for you. You're doing great working around it though!

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    1. There were a lot of blue hairs in my class, tho. Go figure. The time has flown by since my injury, actually! Two more weeks until I go to the ortho again and learn my fate.

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  13. Being injured is no fun, but you've made it as fun as possible it seems. When I had my ACL reconstruction, I bought an exercise bike and rode it constantly.

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    1. I like to move my body--even if it isn't running. It just makes me feel so much better.

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  14. It sounds like you're making the most of finding alternative options for working out. Taking a pool running class with others sounds much more doable than just running alone in the pool. That's great news about the deferral and guaranteed entries. Here's to a healthy 2022!

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    1. Today will be my solo pool running class, but at least I'll have the instructor's voice in my ears!

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  15. "Where is Wendy" made me laugh out loud - I just have an image of a deer saying that, lol. I know being injured it crappy, but if you can find ways to laugh it makes it a little better :)

    Pool running seems like such an awesome workout and a great way to stay active while working through an injury.

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    1. That made me LOL too. It also made me happy. Hoping I'll be able to get back over to the trails soon, at least to WALK!

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  16. Tell the deer that you come back soon and you will run faster than him!!!!
    Pool running is a good activity to recover. I did it after my femur fracture many years ago.

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  17. Has it really been five weeks already?! You are doing a great job of staying so active! I'm glad the pool running is working for you. I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on the Fluid Running System.

    Love watching Molly's marathon run - just amazing!

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    1. She was just so happy, wasn't she? I think it's because she's from Wisconsin :p

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  18. I can't believe it's been five weeks!

    I know it's not all the same, but I'm so glad you have been able to rebuild your fitness routine and get into a groove. It must make life so much sweeter! Keep it up and you'll be running again before you know it!

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    1. I'm happy to have found these alternative activities as well!

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  19. OMG. That is amazing...I hope I never need one.

    I've never done pool running but That is great that you have the opportunity.

    Glad that the RD were accommodating. 2022 will be your year!!

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  20. Brilliant - What A Spectacular Post - Proud Of You - Stay Strong My Water Running Friend

    Cheers

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  21. It's been 5 weeks already? Wow! It's funny, we have a bike trainer but I have never put my bike on it! You have been finding lots of ways to stay fit. Good for you!

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