Weekly Rundown- I Ran! I Ran!!!

Hello everyone!  Yes, I ran- for two minutes.  But it was two pain-free minutes!  Victory!  I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for this weekly rundown.  There was a lot more than just two minutes of running, so let’s get to it! Monday Normally a day off, but now that I’ve been going to PT, I started the day with leg lifts, clam shells, planks, leg lifts… all my exercises. Tuesday Started the morning with a 45 minute pool run, and then it was off to PT.  Things got a little more exciting because I added some weights to my squats and deadlifts. This was my sixth and possibly last PT appointment, at least for a little while.  I’m pretty sure I’m going to do the exercises on my own from now on rather than continue to go and spend the money. Wednesday After the PT appointment on Tuesday, I was SORE.  That’s what happens when you lift some weights after doing only bodyweight exercises for a while.  Since my hip was SO MUCH BETTER, I decided to go for a walk. Later in the day I did the PT exercises that focused on abs, but let my legs and hips rest for the day. Thursday Spent an hour on PT exercises in the morning.  There’s so much to do that I’ve decided to divide them into categories and just make sure I do them all several times a week, as opposed to all in one day. By the way, several people have marveled at how good I am about doing my exercises.  Remember- I CAN’T RUN.  Having the discipline to do pre-hab exercises is one thing- I blow them off as much as the next person (obviously- or I wouldn’t be in this predicament.)  But take running away and tell me the way back to it is through doing these exercises, and you can bet I’ll dedicate my life to it with the zeal of an Olympic gymnast!  Until I’m all better and then I’ll never do them again. JUST KIDDING.  I swear that this time I’ll be better about strength training. Friday 40 minute pool run in the morning, followed by PT exercises in the evening. Saturday The big day arrived.  You know how, the first time you run again after an injury, it’s either going to be the best day or the worst day of your life?  If everything feels great, you’re on top of the world.  If it hurts again, you’re filled with despair.  For that reason I was a little scared and didn’t exactly set out for a run.  I just got all my running clothes on and headed out for a walk just to see how everything felt. I walked for about fifteen minutes, then stopped to do some quick exercises just to remind my glute medius muscles what they’re there for.  Then I casually started to walk, and broke into a run. I ran for a minute!  Everything felt great.  I stopped and walked for about five more minutes, then ran again for another minute.  Again, no pain in the hip.  It seems to be completely healed. Sunday Happy 4th of July! Funny story… right before I injured my hip, I signed my husband and myself up for a July 4th 5k.  Obviously I wasn’t able to run it, and my husband was not too happy about getting up at 5:30 am and driving 35 minutes to another town to run the race by himself.  Wait- I guess that story isn’t really funny.  At least I got a good night’s sleep!  I got up later and did my long pool run. Moving forward, I’m going to start a very conservative return-to-running schedule!  You run for one minute, walk for nine, run for another minute, walk for nine, run for one more minute and then walk again for nine.  The second day, you run for two, walk for eight, etc.  I’ll do it every other day and it goes by quickly- before you know it, you’re running for thirty minutes straight and ready to start building mileage again. SO EXCITED to be at this point, finally!!! Is anyone doing a race or special run today? What are your plans for the 4th?  – We’ll be celebrating a little, but also getting ready for our trip.  We leave for Austin on Tuesday. Hopefully. Unless the tropical storm hits us, and then we won’t be going anywhere.  Fingers crossed!