Today I am ‘Virtually’ Running

Here I am, lying in bed on this beautiful Sunday morning when I should be running in the Philadelphia Rock ‘n’ Roll Half-Marathon!

It is such a beautiful day so I am very happy for the runners. But, today, instead of lining up at the starting line and kicking off for running 13.1 miles, I am envisioning how I would be feeling right now, about half-way through the race. I would like to think that I am feeling energized by the crowds and confident that I will soon be crossing that finish line!

Good Luck to all of you runners today who have trained so hard for this event! I am there with you in spirit and can’t wait to be able to put on my running shoes again!!

On The Road to Recovery....

The summer of 2010 will be a hard one for me to forget! After completing a pretty strong stretch of runs and races in the Spring, I hit a wall in July after experiencing a couple of non-running related injuries - a dislocated shoulder and a severed tendon in my right foot.

My shoulder is healing steadily and the good news is that there was no damage to the rotator cuff which is one of the more serious consequences. So, I expect to regain a full range of motion through physical therapy.

Yesterday, I had a 2nd surgery on my foot as the 1st surgery trying to repair the extensor hallicus longus tendon was unsuccessful (sigh). This time, they had to do a 'tendon transfer' because the damaged tendon was unrepairable. So, they basically took the tendon from my 2nd toe and transferred it to the big toe; and, toes 2 and 3 will share a tendon! Sounds complicated but the surgery only lasted an hour and a half. The toughest part of recovery is that I have to be non-weight bearing for 6 weeks. I am in a hard cast in bed for the first 2 weeks followed by 4 weeks in a boot. Thank goodness for the internet, cable television, crossword puzzles, and sudoku!!

So, needless to say... my marathon training is at a complete standstill right now. I am very confident, based on what my surgeon told me, that I will run again and I am determined to make that happen... maybe the Firstwatch Half-Marathon in Sarasota, FL in March 2011!

When It Rains.... It Pours

Well, I don't know how to begin this update other than to say I think I have a big dark cloud hanging over me!

Last Tuesday evening (July 13), following 2 dislocations of my right shoulder, I was in my kitchen preparing dinner and dropped a knife which landed directly on my right foot causing a deep laceration above my right toe. So.... off to the ER again I go. To make a long story short, not only did I lacerate my foot, but I managed to sever a tendon! The nurse at the ER told me that I needed to consult either a Podiatrist or Orthopedic surgeon right away as tendons need to be surgically repaired within 48 hours.

Fortunately, since I was already being treated for my shoulder, I was able to see my Orthopedic doc the following day and had surgery to repair my right Extensor Hallucis Longus (EHL) tendon on Thursday, July 15.

So, presently, my right arm is constrained as a result of having to stay in an immobilizer for 3 weeks to help repair the shoulder, and my right foot is bandaged and booted. The good news is that they outfitted me with a weight bearing boot (since I cannot use crutches) which helps me get around fairly easily.

The nurse at the ER was really funny. When she discharged me she said that they normally give crutches to patients who have injured their foot. However, in my case, because of my already injured shoulder, if she gave me crutches, I'd be back in the ER within a few hours with a a head injury!!

I am doing my best to keep a positive attitude throughout all of this craziness. Fortunately, I have been able to work from home this week. Unfortunately, my running is on hold indefinitely. I know that I will NOT be running the half-marathons that I had previously planned in August and September. I think my earliest race will be in November.

Off to the doctor this afternoon for my first post-surgical visit. Everything feels fine down there so I am hoping to get a good report. He originally told me to expect a 4 to 6 week recovery period so it looks like I have 3 to 5 weeks to go!!

John