Light at the End of the Tunnel

What a week it's been here in our casa.  On Saturday my ankle was feeling better, so I tried out the stationary bike.  All was good.  Then I pressed my luck with the elliptical trainer.  Pretty good, except for the changing intervals that jerked my ankle.  And then I sat in "stop and go" Chicago traffic for about an hour, trying to get to my BFF's son's first birthday.  FAIL.  So  happy to see the little guy on his birthday (I'd post pics, but she doesn't have facebook for the reason of not wanting his pictures online. A choice I totally respect).  I had so much fun catching up with my ladies, but the drive up there really put my ankle back at square one.  Too much too fast.  Needless to say, I did not make it to the baby shower on Sunday.

Instead, Oliver and I sat outside our apartment building and watched the people race in the Shamrock Shuffle.  They couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day.  I ran this race with my sister last year when it was held in March and the weather was less than favorable.

So I sat outside, and dreamed about the days when I could run again.  I'm getting super antsy if you couldn't tell.    

 

While I watched the runners and cheered on fellow co-workers & friends, Oliver was off in his own little world.  Oddly, he kept licking the cement and I couldn't figure out why because I made sure there was nothing on the ground where we sat.  After I saw my friend and passed her a high five, I decided that it was time for us to go in.  Oliver was not acting his normal self.  He was very tired and passed out on the couch.  I figured it was because of the sun and being outside for so long.  As the day went on, Oliver became sick.  Monday came, and LC said he had some interest in food but nothing like what he normally would have.  I came home and Oliver seemed back to his playful self, so I figured it was definitely something he ate outside and that it would just pass.  Tuesday morning, at the love hour of 1:30 a.m. I wake up to a puppers whining in his kennel.  It was unusual because he hadn't done that since the first night we got him.  LC got up and saw Oliver made a "mess" in his kennel.  Our 6lb was sick from both ends.  

LC wanted to take him the ER and I told him that he was ridiculous.  It was 2 a.m. and I told him to come back to bed and we'd call the vet first thing in the morning.  We got him in and our vet told us that it could be either pancreatitis or just something bad that the ate.  He stayed at the vet all of yesterday.  When I brought him home, I kept him in the kitchen just in case if he had any other accidents.  I woke up this morning to this face.            

I took him on a walk today and he's feeling a little bit better.  I told LC, that between me and Oliver and all of our emergencies, he was going to trade us in for a new family. He told me that he would never :-) 

My doctor gave me good news today! I can say adios to my air cast.  I can resume all low-impact activities right away.  I can start back at Bar Method on Friday.  He kept reminding me to "listen to my body", something I for sure have trouble with when I have a goal set.  Bad news: I have to stay away from all running paths for about another month.  At least I'll be back in business just in time for marathon training to start.    

Ka-Boom

My fitness goals for April were to run outside 3 days a week and attend Bar Method Monday through Friday.  I knew it was going to be tough, but my first wedding shower is in a month and I really wanted to look and feel my best.  So today, I laced up my running shoes, put on my Garmin and headed out the door.  It was an overcast day.  The temperature was just perfect for running.  Not too hot, not too cold with a slight breeze.  For my first outside run this year, everything was going perfectly.  I ran my favorite route.  I had no problems with my calves cramping up.  Smooth sailing.  

 Can't wait for the fountains to turn on. Then it's "officially" spring.

 The two ladies walking in this picture are lifesavers. I am forever grateful to them because, shortly after I took this picture, I continued to run and before I knew it was falling into potholes, scraping my knees & elbows, and rolling my right ankle.

 Thankfully, I had my cell phone with me and LC was home.  The two women helped me off of the running path and onto Lake Shore Drive so that LC could find me easily.  I don't know if it was the pain, or the fact that I've never fallen before while on a run, but I couldn't stop crying.  LC picked me up and we headed straight to the ER just to make sure nothing was fractured.  Since it was 10 am on a Monday morning, the ER wasn't busy at all and it didn't take long for someone to see me.  The nurse took me back to take X-Rays of my ankle.  After the X-Rays, I was wheeled back into the emergency room and had to wait to see a doctor.  I'm very grateful for my pedicure, because the doctor looking at my naked foot was very McDreamy-like and very young! I almost wished my single, younger sister had been there instead of LC :-)  McDreamy looked at my X-Rays and shouted to us from the triage area that I had no broken bones.  LC gave him a thumbs up.  Very professional :-) He gave me an ice pack and an open air cast.  They offered me crutches or a cane and I declined both.  I didn't want to make a spectacle of myself over a sprain.  Although, as we were walking out to the car, I had wished I would have accepted the crutches, but oh well.  So here I sit, with an ice wrap on my ankle and an afternoon of HGTV's Selling New York. I guess it's Marathon Monday here on HGTV...
       

Even though I really don't want to, I've decided it would be best to take off from any physical activity besides walking to and from work.  Maybe I'll throw in some free weights later this week.  This is a major bummer because I was so motivated to get back outside and run! Please send fast healing wishes my way.