I like boots, but this is ridiculous…

Went to Bodypump for the first time without the boot.  I’d been playing around with some of the lifting exercises and realized that without a bar over my shoulders,  I can do squats without any problems.  And since I haven’t been doing them for 2 months, probably best to start without weight anyway…

So I did the whole 5 minute track, and had very little difficulty.  Can’t squat quite as deep, but that will come with the return of those muscles.  What was hilarious was that for the rest of the class, my thighs were shaking.  Particularly on my ATR leg.  I didn’t realize how little of that motion I’d been doing over the last 2 months.  I mean, I knew there’d be the “I’m not lifting anymore” atrophy, but whew!  The lady behind me had a great view of my vibrating hamstrings and me asked me twice if I was ok.  I WAS.  I’m good and sore today!

Though I’m not any formal PT, it’s great to do some of the old exercises that are non-ATR related.  I feel like all those muscles that were neglected will be helpful in my recovery–strong reenforcements for my ATR as it improves.  Plus, just standing and forcing myself to balance on my bad leg and take weight off the other leg are great.  I feel stronger every day, and in a weird way, less in a hurry to get better RIGHT NOW.  With so many things I CAN do, I’m enjoying the opportunity to do losts of things I wouldn’t have tried when running was my MO.  Biking, pilates, yoga, and my new fascination–urban rebound–a cardio class performed entirely on a mini trampoline.  Yes, a mini trampoline.  An entire room full of people in a class bouncing like morons on a trampoline.  Once you get over how lame and undignified you’ll look doing it, it’s kinda fun!  I’m going to wait til i can chat with my doctor about it first, but I’ve heard of some of the blog folk using a trampoline as part of their PT.  YAY! 

So, little things making a difference, and the pursuit of rehab is very satisfying in its own way.  I’m so lucky to be fascinated by the process!

Walked around Pittsburgh with a couple old college roommates this weekend.  Into the Phipps Conservatory with all those gorgeous plants… endless walking.  Felt pretty good, all things considered.  Tired leg, slight ache, and the ever-present tightness, but still miraculous when you consider how far I’ve come.

The REAL miracle, however, is how fast my left calf went from floppy flesh to actual muscle again.  Whew!  Just a few two-legged standing heel raises and several seated ones and my calf looks like a calf again.  My massage therapist said that from the front, when I was on the table, she had to remind herself which was the injured leg.  YAY!  Of course, there is still a marked difference, but how wonderful to feel real muscle and soreness in my poor neglected calf!  Yipee!!!

Met this morning with the Doc and his new rotation-doc shadow.  He’s pleased as punch with my progress.  My tendon is filling in nicely and “impressively supple.”  That’s a great line.  I mean, any girl likes to be told that about any number of her tendons, etc., so I’m thrilled.

 Told him I’d been lurking in my apartment in stocking feet, that I’d been FWB for almost 3, and he seemed fine with that.  “It’s not painful?  Good, fine.  Sounds good.”  He didn’t feel the need to prescribe PT yet, since I was doing ROM exercises regularly on my own.  I asked about Theraband work, and he said to go right ahead, starting with some rubber tubing he got me.  Every time I said “Can I …”, doc said “sure”.  Which made me feel like I’m pretty much the captain of this recovery ship.  Which is fine.  He seemed comfortable with that, and so am I.  Mostly because I have this blog as my sounding board.  Thanks guys!

Basically, he said he’d like me in the boot for another month, but that in predictable places I can go ahead and 2-shoe it.  That is to say, always wear the boot at the gym and around drunk people.  But if I’m going to be in my clean apartment, or walking on the flat sidewalk at the Penninsula, I’m good to go in shoes.