Firsts are the theme of this week. It’s actually almost exhausting how many firsts I had. New things can be scary, and I have exercised an over-abundance of caution in how I approach things these days. I hope I can move past that.
Sunday – pt exercises
Sunday was a quiet day. I think we just sort of sat around and watched TV and puttered around the house. Sometimes, that’s just what we need.
Monday – physical therapy
First thing Monday morning, Mr PugRunner schlepped me off to PT again. I was scheduled with my less favorite PT, and man, did he put me to work. No more mild bike warmups, and then lots of manipulation and table stretching. On Monday, I balanced on my injured leg, worked on wide lateral steps, took more time with the balance board and did all kinds of terrifying things.
Nothing hurt, but I was scared, especially with the lateral moves. The accident messed with my head more than I realized, but these are the firsts that need to get checked off.
Tuesday – pt exercises
When Mr PugRunner brought little man home from clarinet, he had a surprise for me. Our friend loaned me this sweet knee scooter to help me out when I get too tired to walk.
That evening, I hit checked off another of the firsts. We had a parents Scouts meeting, and I managed to get into a pair of jeans! This is a huge deal: it’s hard fitting things over swellings, splints, braces and boots, so jeans are a win!
Wednesday – pt exercises
The meeting of the night before left me fairly exhausted the next day. I took it easy, focusing on my towel stretches and balance.
There was a work meeting I had to take and let’s not forget another check mark in the list of firsts…
My first TENS unit.
Thursday – pt exercises
Thursday was the big day: SOUPer Bowl Day! I was so nervous about attending such a busy event with the purpose of running social media, but emotionally, I had to be there. Of course, I chilled for most of the day, to bank as much energy as I could, and when it was time, the whole family headed over.
This event is a soup-tasting fundraiser organized by students at a local high school, and in partnership with Hugs Across the County. The goal is to help put an end to student hunger in our county. There are over 400 attendees, and 25 local chefs and restaurants, as well as volunteers and local sponsors and businesses who come together to make it happen. The event raised almost $40,000 for the cause and I was so honored to be a part of it.
Friday – physical therapy
After a late night, I was worried about what PT on Friday morning would hold. It ended up being a good session. It seems my therapists don’t always agree on what I’m comfortably ready for. This time, we talked a lot about my mental and emotional hang ups, and I felt better about some of my fears.
With the Sisterhood Conference coming up, I slid in to get my nails done. I don’t do a lot of self maintenance on the regular, but I’ve been super neglectful of everything since the accident: no hair, minimal makeup, and pjs/athleisure attire everywhere I go. I am making the attempt to clean up a little before the event and got my eyebrows done and made a hair appointment for next week, too.
Saturday – recumbent bike + elliptical
Little man is have a fun weekend with my parents again,
so we took the opportunity to clean up around the house, bathe the pugs and go to the community gym.
Mr PugRunner made me drive.
I haven’t driven in over two months. The PTs have asked me several times if I have attempted it, but the answer has always been a “Hell, NO!” I am terrified to be behind the wheel. It’s been so long and I am so scared it will hurt. This is not one of the firsts I had any intention of hitting this week.
But I did it. I hated it. And I cried. I don’t want to do it again. Something something about getting back in the saddle.
After my recumbent bike time, my plan was to try the elliptical. I was only able to tolerate five minutes, as that’s when my right glute started chattering at me, but other than that, it went well.
Not for all the time, but it was nice to mix things up.
Goal-getting
So many firsts! It was good week – it felt like a little much, but I can definitely see my energy levels increasing. I am confident I will be able to manage the Sisterhood Conference this week, and I’m excited for the change of pace and the break.
This week, I am looking forward to covering my grays, getting a new style, and learning lots of new, awesome stuff about blogging. I am also excited about my next two PT sessions. The therapists are both going to be thrilled that I drove, even if it was less than a mile, and it’s always nice to get thumbs up for progress.
In other fun news, I am joining up with five other wonderful bloggers for the Runners’ Rundown, on Wednesday! I hope you will link up and join us!
I am linking up with the Weekly Rundown, with Confessions of A Mother Runner and Running on the Fly! Check them out!
Will you be joining me at any of the Best Damn Races? Don’t forget to register with my BDR discount code RUNSWITHPUGS to save on any distance at any BDR location! Remember, the code for Safety Harbor will expire on 1/17 so don’t miss out!
How was your week in training?
Any firsts for you this week?
Keep up the great work with your PT. Also, we used to have a pug. So sweet. I love seeing the pics of your pugs.
Awwww. Pugs are the best. We were supposed to get a puppy right when this happened, and I am gutted that we have to wait now, since I am in no condition to care for a new baby 🙁
You have been doing such a phenomenal job with your recovery. You should be so proud of yourself, especially with so many firsts happening this week!
Congrats on the new link up!
Thank you!
I am happy to feel like I”m getting somewhere. It’s bee so long since I felt it.
Driving is a huge step! Congrats! I love seeing your hard work pay off each week.
Beckett @ Birchwood Pie recently posted…Weekly Sweats: Another Fast Long Run
It is so good to feel like I’m making a little progress.
It’s so great to see you easing back into your life again! Now that you’re over the driving thing, the sky’s the limit. Am I right?
Well, I wouldn’t say I’m “over” the driving thing. I know that in an emergency I can make it halfway out of my neighborhood. For whatever that’s worth LOL. When I can get 15 miles to Target, then we will be in business.
I remember being really scared to try new things w the PT after my ACL. These kinds of traumatic incidents do effect you psychologically as well. You really are moving along though! Excited for our Wednesday link up see you there
I tell them all the time “OMG I’m so scared!” And they nod and say “Ok, cool. Do it anyway.” RUDE. Just kidding – it’s their job, and I trust that they won’t do anything to really screw me up.
Congrats on a great week of firsts! Your progress is great 🙂
Thank you! It’s nice to start seeing some gains.
I’m sure it doesn’t feel that way to you, but it seems like your recovery is going so quickly! I can’t believe you’re out of the boot and standing on one leg!
Keep up the great work in PT, it will pay off!
It’s crazy! Today, he had me on a bosu ball! and one legging it on a thick piece of foam! All the instability!
Congratulations on all the firsts. I love your slippers in the scooter pic.
Driving IS scary
Glad your PT addressing the emotional too
Cari recently posted…2020 PT Week 3/4: Return to Racing
I generally don’t wear slippers, but my feet have been so cold since the surgery. Plus they give me padding in case the pugs decide to bulldoze me.
I’m so proud of all your firsts this week, especially getting behind the wheel again. How scary that must have felt, but so proud you got it done. I’m looking forward to checking out the new link-up! Best of luck this week, step by step, first by first xx
It was terrible! Hope you visit our link-up! I’m excited to get started!
So many firsts this week! I’m sure it was so scary to start driving again. Its good that you can ease your way back into it. Hopefully doing some things for yourself this week will help you feel even better!
My mood is definitely improved. The week is starting off on a fairly tired note, but that’s ok. Every day I can go longer and longer!
Congrats on all the firsts!
I don’t drive a lot – in fact I haven’t driven for years now. And I’m terrified to do it again. So I fully understand your fear. But please continue doing it, you’ll soon get into the routine!
I live in an area where driving is really a necessity. We are pretty far from things and there’s no accessible public transportation. I don’t think I could even safely ride my bike for certain errands.
Good for you for trying so many new things this week! And congrats on getting behind the wheel, even if it was super hard, scary, and not what you wanted. Baby steps. Glad you’re starting to feel more like yourself.
It’s getting better. But yeah. I’m not into driving again.
That’s a lot of firsts this week! Yay for jeans, the knee scooter and the fundraiser going so well 🙂 And that’s impressive that you got behind the wheel again too even though you were nervous about it.
Chaitali recently posted…Pike’s Peek 10k Training Week 2
Driving was awful. I have no idea why I can’t be driven everywhere for the rest of my life! It would be so much easier!
That was a LOT to tackle this week — good for you! Know wonder you were so tired!
I pretty much live in leggings, and don’t have much that’s loose around the lower leg, so that would be a huge problem for me.
Here’s to getting stronger & stronger!
Regular leggings are ok for now, but the really tight compression ones are tough, too.
It was a busy week, and we ended it with a little Super Bowl get together, which was the end for me LOL. I went up in the third quarter.
Great progress this week! I give you SO much credit for doing the SOUPerbowl event. That would be exhausting without being in recovery! I can totes see how driving would be scary. But you DID IT! Bravo!
Yay for so many firsts! It sounds like driving again was a huge hump you needed to get across and now that you’ve done it, you have a lot more freedom. And who doesn’t feel better after getting their hair and nails done?
It sounds like the Sisterhood Conference is just what you need to get your mind away from the burden of being stuck at home while recovering from your accident. I can’t wait to read all about the conference. Enjoy!
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…Catching Up Over Coffee: Purging, Mega Guac, and Redecorating
I’m nervous about the conference, because I’ve become so much of a hermit in the past months. I’m afraid I’m going to be terribly awkward with everything. Ugh. However, as long as I can keep my energy up, it will be great!
So many great firsts for this week! You’re doing a great job with all of it! And, what an awesome fundraiser – congrats on raising so much money!
Thank you! I am so proud of the team!
you’re doing amazing work Jenn! How do you like the TENS? I also use one on my foot.
Ehhhh. I don’t love it. I have to try it again, but I can’t seem to get it where I’m being bothered and then it’s just annoying.
You are doing so well and I am proud of you!! What is a TENS unit?
Zenaida Arroyo recently posted…Tuesday Topics: How I dealt with an injury that sidelined me
Thank you!
A TENS unit is a little machine with attached leads that delivers mild electric currents. It’s supposed to help with pain and sensitivity. I am having a hard time getting used to it, but I will keep trying.
Hooray for being back in jeans!! Sounds like PT is going well too!
Jeans are a huge deal!
Wow, lots of firsts this past week! You really are getting back in the saddle. Onward and upward!!
Lisa @ TechChick Adventures recently posted…GCM training recap, week 4.
I’m trying sooo hard!