Steph's 8 Steps to Recovery!

It has been almost 3 weeks since I started PT and I have now been allowed to run 4 times.  I am up to 33 minutes of a run/walk.  It’s short but wonderful.  I was able to do a 15 minutes routine at the gym yesterday and I was on cloud 9 all day.  Today was the BIG 33 minuter and it was nothing short of AWESOME! 

I pretty much felt like Kobe after my run!!

It’s amazing what a tiny run can do for ones outlook on life!  My last injury lasted for 4 and half months and it was MISERABLE!!!!  

This is how I felt every time I saw a runner on the street during my first injury, wanted to punch them in the throat!  I've been a lot less hostile this time:)

I thought I would give you some pointers on having a speedy recovery if heaven forbid you ever get injured.  These are not  USAFT, FDA, RDA or FDIC approved just Steph approved, you’re welcome!

Step 1:  Admitting that you have a problem.  I think as a runner it’s hard to admit that you are injured.  Luckily, for me both of my injuries have come on with no warning at all, I just woke up one morning and I was broken.  I think a lot of runners ignore things until they too wake up one morning unable to run.

Step 2:  Cry yourself a river, build a bridge and get over it and REPEAT!!  This weekend was especially

emotional but things are looking up so hopefully the breakdowns will lessen.

Step 3:  Make an appointment with a doctor of the Sports Medicine, this is an important step that I think a lot of people skip.  They will determine if an x-ray, MRI, CT scan or pregnancy test is needed.  You don’t want to assume physical therapy can fix you…they can’t fix broken bones, just for your FYI ;)

Step 4:  Rest
             Ice-like it’s your job. 

             Compress-PRO COMPRESSION BABY. 

             Elevate-I’m not so good at this one, who has time to lay around?!?  Not me! 

  I have this fancy ice pack…you should get one!

I can just strap it on my calf and go about my business.

I have been living in my Pro Compression socks.  I wear them to the gym every single day, wear them to work on occasion (I need to get some sleeves, sometimes neon socks just don’t go with my work outfits…IDK)  I slather my angry little legs in Deep Blue each and every night and slip on some Pro Compression.  Then I sleep with my ice pack on my calf, it’s really mad!!!

Step 5:  Go to physical therapy A LOT!  I have gone every day since June 27th and notice changes almost daily.

Step 6:  Be obedient!  If the PT says not to run maybe you should listen.  If you finish your prescribed workout STOP.  Yesterday I left myself just enough time to do what I was told.  I felt great and of course wanted to keep going but alas it was time to go.

Step 7:  Massage.  I need to get massages more often, I think massage is HUGE in recovery.  I get a massage each day at PT but I should really schedule myself a session at Jorge’s House O’ Pain!

Step 8:  Cross train.  I have been doing the spin bike and the elliptical.  I used to despise the elliptical but decided that if you concentrate REALLY hard you can indeed get a good workout on the old ski machine.

Last but certainly not least avoid chiropractors at the finish line of races.  If you don’t know anything about them for heaven’s sake don’t let them touch you!!!!  I’m 99.9% sure that had I not let that whack a doo smack me around that I would be fine right now…’nuf said!

Now go back up to Step 4 section C.  I know I talk about Pro Compression fort knightly but seriously get cha’ some!  Right now they are having a HUGE sale.  Head on over to ProCompression.com and use promo code JULY for 40% off EVERYTHING!  You also get FREE shipping!  The socks are awesomesauce…FAAAAACT!  They also have running visors and sweet hats.  Jake has a PC hat and loves it!  Get on it peeps, the sale ends August 4th!  I think I’ll pick myself up some of the new retro stockings!!  Happy shopping!

Here are just a few of my Pro Compression stocking all hung in a row to dry.
 I am told that there will be a PT graduation this week, YAAAAY!! 

I love going for the entertainment but would love to be done and back out running about the town with my RBFF.  Baby steps Stephanopolis, baby steps!  Perhaps the retro socks will be my graduation gift!

Freedom Run (Walk)10K!

I don’t know if you are aware of this or not but Pro Compression’s 4th of July socks have healing powers!!  It’s true, I would never tell a lie AND you are reading it on the Internet machine so it much be true.  I know this post is a wee bit late but what can I say, I’ve been busy.

As you may or may not know, I assume only Holly (because I pay her) and Jake (because I make him) read this but just in case I will explain some things.  Ever since Mr. Whack A Doo Chiropractor karate chopped me I have been injured.  I made a doctor’s appointment with Dr. Weenig where he took x-rays and  assured me that nothing was broken.  He figured, without doing an MRI, that I had some angry tissue around my calcaneus and that a bit of physical therapy would do me good.  I headed up to Steve Orrocks office for a visit.  We worked out a fine deal and I have gone to PT every day since June 27th. 

Steve suggested that I wear a boot to give my muscles etc. some rest so I could heal.  On Monday July 1st I asked Steve how he felt about me walking the Freedom Run 10K.  He said with the right tape job I should be fine, although he did think me a bit crazy for wanting to walk that far.  After much thought I decided to walk the 10K in my boot.  I could walk A LOT faster in the boot with a lot more comfort.  It seemed safer to me.

I had three reasons for wanting to do this “race” so badly.  First, Kobe decided to do the 10K with Kaden.  Although I would have rather run with the boy child, I was happy to at least be able to see him a couple of times.

Second, I had the perfect shirt to wear.  Holly gave me this cute lil’ tank for my birthday.

Third, I got fancy and magical stockings from Pro Compression.

Holly, Kaden, Kobe and I got to the starting line early.  Once we got the kids all settled Holly and I started walking.  YES, Holly is the bestest RBFF ever and chose to walk the race with me rather than run.  She has also been getting some physical therapy which has made it quite entertaining, we really bring the party to Orrock and Mendenhall Physical Therapy.  We knew it was going to take a long time to walk it so we gave ourselves a head start, we didn’t want the kids waiting around at the finish line forever.

When we got to the parade route we waited for the race to catch us.  We got to see the leaders which was super exciting.  We also got a picture with these fine looking super heroes.

If you ever want to feel like a superstar/celebrity walk a race with a boot on.  I got so many people commenting on how amazing it was that I was doing the race in a boot, people are easily impressed is all I can say.  Although it wasn’t too bad getting the cheers ;)  So in addition to wearing a tutu and fancy stockings add a boot to your ensemble and you will get more cheers than the girl running in underpants with stars stuck on her butt...okay maybe not!  

At about mile 4 Kaden and Kobe caught up to us and man they were cute.

Kobe's cute little smile reminds me of every picture taken of me on my first marathon!

We took a bit of a short cut near the State Hospital so that we could see our cute boys again.

By the last mile the metal bar on my boot was digging into my leg which was not so comfortable.  My ankle felt great, my leg not so great.  We finished, found Kobe and Kaden and walked to our parade spot.  We walked 7.5 miles in all.  Kobe and Kaden had a great time and decided that they want to train for and do a half marathon, they are awesome!

The darndest thing happened next, wait for it…I woke up the next day HEALED!!!  Okay, maybe I wasn’t completely healed but I could walk without a limp.  I'm pretty sure those 4th of July Pro Compression socks be magical :)  I hadn't walked without a limp for 2 whole weeks.

Steve didn't see that coming, he said so himself.  Although I am still on the mend and continuing to visit Steve Orrock and friends daily I am getting better every day and have hope that I will be running again in no time.  If you are ever in need of a physical therapist call Steverino, he himself is an athlete and won't pull any of this "stop running" crap that PT's love to pull.  Everyday is a party at PT, not only is Steve a barrel of fun but so is his staff.  It also helps that Holly gets to join me everyday, you know you have a true RBFF when you are injured at the same time.  Holly has some angry muscles that are causing her some grief but she is still able to run.

Maybe these stockings have magical powers too, hmmmmm?  

You can get some for 40% off with promo code TUBE.  These retro socks are the bomb.diggity.  You can order some HERE!

One more thing, I am in LOVE with Duck Dynasty!  Totally random but I have it on right this very minute and I just can't get enough of it.  If you have yet to experience Duck Dynasty PLEASE do me a favor and watch it NOW!