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blogging ass |
All physical restrictions were lifted by my surgeon on May 19th. (To get you up to speed if you're a new reader, I had a total hip replacement on April 1st). He said that everything looked GREAT and my healing rate was awesome and that my hip would only dislocate if I tried really hard to make it happen. But before you go getting all excited that I get to start running now, he lifted my restrictions because I promised him I was rational and not overzealous. And he believed me. He really doesn't want me to run EVER...except to save my child from an oncoming car or to save my life, etc. But he knows I want to.
He explained to me that the real issue has to do with the body's reaction to the minute particles that are a result of wear and tear on the implant and not so much the device's inherent degradation over time. Bone initially grows into a porous covering on the implant. With use, microscopic particles are sloughed into the body. How the body reacts to this differs from person to person. Some people can more vigorously use their new parts than others. You have no way of knowing how your body will react until the damage is done...or not done. The reaction erodes away the bone growth into the device and things get loose. And then it hurts again. So...yuck.
IF I do decide to run again it won't be for at least 9 months post-op, putting us at New Year's Day. My more conservative self says to give it a full year, but I rarely listen to her much to her dismay.
I have fantasies of running again...just a couple of miles a couple of times a week while cross-training in a hip-safe manner. The fantasy extends to racing again...just once or twice a year. Only 5K. But I'm not content to just putter. That's my biggest problem. If I need to be contained, I would want to test the limits of the container. Like, with a PR. I'm just too fucking competitive.
My hip feels incredible. So incredible that I've already pushed it too hard. What's too hard for me right now? Walking five miles in one day.
It started one morning with 3 hilly trail miles on my old favorite running loop...
nice and shady following the creek. |
cresting the super steep hill. |
you can see the sunny, downhill part of the trail over on that hill. |
this is that line you saw on that hillside in the previous photo. |
RoseRunner and I used to run this trail together and would pretend that we were Hunger Games tributes trying not to get sucked into these giant cracks. #goodtimes |
and then it's over :( |
It was so fun. I know you want to ask, "so did you try running? even a just a few little joggy steps?"
DUH.
And it was pain-free but super scary.
Then that afternoon I decided to see if I could beat my post-op timed mile PR at the track during my son's soccer practice...
better by 4 seconds. note the negative splits. |
During our familial evening walk, I realized that I was sore and kind of limping. Shit.
Given that the day before I had done 10 min of recumbent bike, 10 min of stairmaster and 20 min of elliptical and a bunch of leg weights stuff (during my first post-op visit to the gym) I'd have to say that, yep, I overdid it like the kickass running blogger I'm trying to be. #success
I'll stop now. I'm boring myself.
I swear my Instagram is more fun. And you get to see what I look like.
(I'm getting good at baiting people to check out my shit...that's what I just did there...baited you)
I think I would be terrified to run on a hip replacement. Then again, I'm terrified to start running again when the doc clears me post-baby...
ReplyDeleteI am terrified yet oddly compelled. I can't remember what it feels like to run without pain and I want to.
DeleteYour baiting has worked! I'll come find you on IG too.
ReplyDeleteSo, first congrats on getting the all-clear from to doc. I basically live in terror that every creak/pain beyond normal is the harbinger of the news that I broke EVERYTHING on me, and won't be able to run again (because that will probably mean I have to bike, and I'd rather just go for morbid obesity than do that). I also totally feel you re being competitive enough to still want to shoot for PRs. It's competitiveness, yes, but also a certain amount (for me) of vanity, and drive. But, being driven isn't a bad thing. It's better than complacency. So there.
And props for negative splits, dammit.
Yeah, I'm a master baiter.
DeleteWelcome to the club.
DeleteYour baiting has worked! I'll come find you on IG too.
ReplyDeleteSo, first congrats on getting the all-clear from to doc. I basically live in terror that every creak/pain beyond normal is the harbinger of the news that I broke EVERYTHING on me, and won't be able to run again (because that will probably mean I have to bike, and I'd rather just go for morbid obesity than do that). I also totally feel you re being competitive enough to still want to shoot for PRs. It's competitiveness, yes, but also a certain amount (for me) of vanity, and drive. But, being driven isn't a bad thing. It's better than complacency. So there.
And props for negative splits, dammit.
Without question prompts, I have no idea what to comment. #dilemma
ReplyDeleteI certainly appreciate how you took the leap of faith and just said what came to mind. #sobrave
DeleteThe fact that you ran pain-free for even a small amount of time this close post surgery is promising. I know your full recovery time bites and seems completely unfair but you're tough as can be and I bet you will be racing speedy 5K's this time next year. All 5 GoT books, huh? Were they as addicting and depressing as the television show?
ReplyDeleteTotally addicting. I read 5000 or how ever many pages in 6 weeks. I got nothing done except that and my PT exercises. I had to slow down when I was cleared to drive. I kept wondering if it would be possible to read and drive but didn't test it out. Not really depressing. I found it oddly exhilarating in some ways. Full of life. Now I'm in withdrawal and semi-depressed ...waiting waiting waiting for book 6...
DeleteDamn, I've been baited. I was terrified to start running on my knee post reconstructive surgery. It took be probably a full year to really trust it. Just takes time.
ReplyDeleteThat's why my mature self is saying a year. Glad to hear you're recovered from major surgery :)
DeleteThat's the first thing I was going to ask you....if you took a few running steps...I know I would have!
ReplyDeleteUgh well.....not running until new year is not that bad, at least you can do all this other cross training stuff in between. I know when you are injured some of those things become somewhat enjoyable.
And are you really going paleo? I need to get on a healthy eating thing....I just have a hard time sticking with it.
My doc suggested trying paleo to help with my possible IBS. Not sure I can handle it without eggs and fish. And no sugar :( I will try it but I'm not excited about it.
DeleteIF you want to keep your HLB status, you MUST run on it--you know that, right?
ReplyDeleteVery glad you are healing well and that restrictions have been lifted. I"m hoping you have no where to go but up with this.
I agree with Miss Zippy. After you run on it, you HAVE to post before and after #selfies. Don't forget to include your phone/timer in the photo or else we won't believe you.
DeleteI'll make sure my garmin is fully charged and strapped on tightly! #problogging!!!
DeleteKudos on the arse selfie. I'm incredibly impressed with your flexibility and your ability to shoot around corners.
ReplyDeleteThere's an app ;-)
DeleteI TOTALLY get it. I'm sidelined this summer with a broken foot and I'm going crazy. I would have walked that 5 miles. You don't have to apologize or make excuses. We're all running junkies. Hang in there.
ReplyDeleteWendy@TakingtheLongWayHome
I took the bait. I'm now following you on Instagram.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear your surgery went well! Crossing my fingers for a solid recovery so you can get back to proper HLB-ing as soon as possible. (And yes, I am turning "HLB" into a verb.)
I don't know anyone who has ever listed to their conservative self.
ReplyDeletelistened...
DeleteSo glad you're doing up and about! I've got to catch up on all your shenanigans, I feel like I've been underground. Sorry you're feeling cooped up. I'm like that too - my hub says I'm like a dog, if you don't let me run around and expend all my energy I misbehave :)
ReplyDeleteRunning without pain would be great, it's been a long time for me...
ReplyDeleteNow please don't break your new hip, my wife says she can feel her's on some days if she does too much and she is at 2 years now.
PS the ass is still very MILF...
Okay..so that picture is of your ass? Because that, my friend, is a G O R G E O U S ass.
ReplyDeleteThat beautiful trail! Wow. I'm so happy that you get to enjoy it again, even if it is in slower motion. I imagine the temptation to start to trot is so immense. Hit me up friend, lets go hiking there SOON and survive the hunger games. And come over to my house to hike Big Bertha :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a trail! When I've been injured (when am I not, haha?) I have found great comfort in biking my regular running routes. I found that half the draw was the quiet morning outdoors to myself, and only partially the act of running. On the other hand, showing up to the gym to slog out miles on the elliptical does little besides prevent weight gain and doesn't change my mood at all. I guess I'm not endorphine-addicted.
ReplyDeleteNice ass!!! And your trails look sweet too!! it is good to see you are getting some miles in and moving it. i am totally jelly of your ass. :-)
ReplyDelete