First 10k Post - Op
Folks:
I ran my first 10k post ATR (23 weeks, 5 days) and post – op (23 weeks, 2 days) today. The run was the CVS Strong Legs Run beginning and ending at Turner Field in Atlanta, GA. I finished the race in 1:03:29, which I thought was pretty good given that the course was very hilly; it seemed as though the course was all uphill. The course route was through the streets of downtown Atlanta, winding through Georgia State University and the Auburn Avenue historic district, passing the MLK, Jr. childhood home, and continuing through the downtown business and financial district. The race was kind of odd in that the police would stop the racers to allow for cross traffic to proceed. I was lucky in that I never had to stop for traffic; timing is everything. I would have been a little upset if I had to stop and run in place.
My AT is fine post race, although my calf did not cooperate. My calf ached throughout the entire run, with very little pain in the AT. I had considered running the Atlanta Half Marathon on Thanksgiving Day; however, I do not believe my calf is ready for that. That sounds strange; my AT is ready, but my calf is not.
Anyway, I am happy with my progress. I have my six month appointment with my ortho next Friday and I expect him to completely release me, with a one year scheduled appointment in the offing.
By the way, I weighed 218 pounds at the ATR date. Based on my Wii Fit, I now weigh 181.4 pounds. As such, I have lost over 36 pounds since the ATR. Man, I am psyched. Thanks folks for reading my post, and Godspeed on your recovery.
November 8th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Great job on the weight loss and the run. I’m almost 20 weeks and have my sight set on a 2 mile run on turkey day. I have not yet been able to run even for 30 seconds, so I have lots of work to do….
Great job! Good to see those ahead making so much progress.
November 8th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Thanks kkdub. I pushed it really hard from the time I was two shoes (5th week post - op). I have really gotten into the physical fitness thing, faithfully reading Muscle and Fitness every month and working out daily. I was always a health nut; however, when the second and third kid came (at the same time - twins), physical fitness took a back seat. It’s now up front again riding shotgun. Good luck on your run. You’ll be surprised what your body can do!
November 8th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Congratulations! How inspiring! I am a runner as well and I am extremely looking forward to the day I can run again. I am only 10 weeks post op but I am walking really well now. When were you able to start running? Good Luck!
Melissa
November 10th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Melissa:
I first began power walking somewhere around 2.5 months post op. It was much easier going downhill rather than uphill. In fact, I would stay away from walking uphill for awhile. I walked for about 1.5 months and found that I could run about 10 yards (downhill mainly) and would occasionally do so. Shortly thereafter, I found that I could run downhill, but could not run on level ground or uphill. As such, I found a nice, steep hill in my subdivision and would walk up the hill (carefully) and run slowly down the hill (this happened somewhere around the 3.5 month post - op). After that, I just took listened to my body to determine when I could actually run.
It’s funny, but my doctor really believes that one should get moving as quickly as possible. I have a good friend who is an ortho and he always tells me I am pushing it too much. We watched the Atlanta Falcons’ game at a sports bar yesterday and he thought I was crazy for running the 10k race on Saturday. Now, I can assure you, my ortho who performed the surgery will probably high five me for running the race at my six month appointment on Friday.
My advice to you is to listening to your doctor so that he can advise you on your specific circumstances. All doctors, and their their protocols are different.
November 10th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
drkpllrd - Wow, great job on the 10k. Sounds like you’re making great progress and congratulations on the weight lose. One word of caution with your running - don’t try and add mileage too quickly. The lack of strength in your calf may cause you to alter your normal gait which could impact other parts of your body. Just be sure to listen to your body as you continue to progress forward.
November 13th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
You’re right, Tom. Thanks for the advice. I am signing up for the ING Half Marathon in March 2009 here in Atlanta. I need folks on this blog to help me keep things in perspective.