6 Month Recap
Hey, Peeps!
Today was my six month appointment with the OS and all is well. I am happy to report that for the first time, he actually said that I made the right decision choosing the non-operative route because I couldn’t expect a better outcome at this point even with surgery. Like Micah, I am cleared to start jogging–preferably on a rubber track for the first several weeks. He also stressed the importance of not overdoing it and taking a couple days off in between jogging events. I am to continue my heel raises and balance work until I check in with him in another six months. At that point, I should be functionally back to normal. There is also a 3 cm difference between my calves which I’m hoping to remedy by then. All in all, I can’t complain. Hope that all is well with you!
ETA: Reporting in after my first walk/jog. I did my mile loop (on the street–such a rebel.) It was reminiscent of learning to walk in two shoes again–it felt good but weird. The recovering leg requires more thought and effort when pushing off the ball of the foot. You all probably knew that but I’m sharing anyway 
Next time you see a jogger going at a snail’s pace, you can think of me!
Still scrawny but here you go anyway:
October 28th, 2013 at 6:13 pm
Excellent news Kelly. Enjoy getting back to normal. Its a shame we live in different continents or we could have done a 5k run together next year, (unless you were aiming higher)! Keep in touch.x
October 28th, 2013 at 7:00 pm
Great post Kelly, and I am glad to see that things are going well. Your calf is looking good and I can see some muscle!
Good luck and keep us posted.
Ron
October 28th, 2013 at 7:09 pm
I am really happy for you Kelly
October 28th, 2013 at 10:15 pm
Kellygirl
Just a quick note to say thanks for your informative blog and considered responses to people’s concerns. It’s great to read your success story. Those calves are looking good!
Hopalong
October 29th, 2013 at 12:10 am
@Micah: Isn’t that the truth! I would love to have an ATR buddy to do a 5K with or just have coffee
Of course, I’d prefer the latter! Will definitely keep in touch.
@Ron & Sweetdreams: Thanks!
@hopalong: Thanks for the nice comments. This site has been great for getting me on the right track and letting me know I’m not suffering alone.
October 29th, 2013 at 12:28 am
It all sounds — and looks — great! Don’t Stop!
October 29th, 2013 at 12:32 am
@Norm: Thanks! Don’t worry. I’m not going to slack off just yet
I’ve got 3 cm to build!
October 29th, 2013 at 12:32 am
Great stuff kellygirl. Glad you’ve made such good progress. You’ve been a great inspiration.
October 29th, 2013 at 12:35 am
@loumar: Good thing we have each other to keep us going. Right back at you, Loumar!
October 29th, 2013 at 5:17 pm
Strong work Kelly! Really good to hear about your progress. I’m on the same boat…just now starting to job at a snail’s pace and trying not to overdo it. Hope all goes well and look forward to your next update!
October 30th, 2013 at 12:52 pm
Great Update Kellygirl. Calves are looking good, and jogging! Awesome - my first jog was SCARY and I was on the treadmill, I can’t imagine it on the street. Keep up the good work.
October 30th, 2013 at 1:34 pm
@Eye: Hey, fellow Slowbee! Glad to hear that I’m not the only one bringing up the rear. It feels weird, doesn’t it? I hardly ever think about the achilles these days–except for when I was jogging. Each step had me wondering if it was going to hold! I feel good today and am tempted to try again but I think I’ll wait til tomorrow. Great to hear from you and where you are at!
Great to hear from you–thanks for chiming in!
@Craig: Thanks! SCARY is the right word. I would be more afraid on the treadmill, I think. I don’t know that I could stop it fast enough and my jumping off skills are rusty. I’ll stick to the streets. I’m loathe to drive to the track
October 30th, 2013 at 7:37 pm
Congrats @ six months kellygirl! Calves are looking great
keep up the good work, you are about 8 weeks ahead of me and I watch your continued improvements for inspiration of things to come in my own recovery!
October 30th, 2013 at 10:17 pm
Congrats!
November 13th, 2013 at 10:06 am
Well done Kelly!
Really pleased to hear that you are back to running.
I am just at 6 months and have decided to start running short distances. I even managed to go to back to one of my circuit classes this week
I really do feel that I am back to my pre ATR fitness levels.
It is amazing to think of how we have progressed from those early days of NWB.
Keep healthy!
Andrew
November 13th, 2013 at 10:55 pm
Nice, Kelly!
I think we should start a photo gallery of everyone’s foot at different times following surgery/ATR/etc. Yours look a lot better than mine. While I think my tendon is strong, it looks like the mooring line on the Titanic. Not pretty.
Incidentally - I feel my achilles has healed long when doing straight-leg calf stretches and short when I stretch the soleus. Odd. Anyone else out there experiencing similar things?
November 14th, 2013 at 4:42 am
Eric, right? I think several of us (including RyanB and I, IIRC) have concluded that our Gastroc-AT system healed a bit long, and our Soleus-AT system healed “not long”. I don’t think mine is short, more like Goldilocks. But my Gastroc-AT is long enough that full-height straight-kneed 1-leg heel raises are permanently out of reach — though I’m shocked that that strength deficit hasn’t bothered any other activities, including some aggressive sports (mostly volleyball).
November 14th, 2013 at 5:07 am
@Ekiaer:
While I am not going to go into the healing long debate here, I just wondered if you have ever experienced ankle pains that limited your range of movement when carrying full weight on your injured leg?
@normofthenorht:
I find it quite impressive that you could take up high-level volleyball after two ATR injuries! How are your jumping skills relative to pre-injury level? Do you do any kind of plyometric training? (’plyometrics’ - learned a new word today :))
I am considering to try out sprints again, and plyometrics, in order to regain my stride (I ran 400m and 800m track in highschool). But I certainly won’t do that if my tendon protests, or if someone else have tried and failed…
November 14th, 2013 at 4:18 pm
@Seaweed: Thanks! I’m hoping that you will be setting the bar for this next round of ATRs. I’m just sort of plugging and plodding along
It does get so much better at the six month mark. Hope that you are doing well!
IDK about the stretching. Mine feel equally flexible. For me, the noticeable difference is in the heel raises. Great to hear from you!
@AW: Thanks!
@AndrewC: You got that right, Mr Insanity! We have come a long way. Glad to hear that you are doing well–I really had no doubts about you! Anyone who can make it through Insanity can make it through this.
@Ekiaer: Lol! You got me to spit up my coffee with your visual! I always enjoy a good comparison
@NotN: You raise an interesting point about the heel raises. It doesn’t seem like I will ever match the strong side. Probably too early to tell for me right now though. I’ll just keep at it.
@Tord: I’d be careful with the plyometrics. I think they are doable but definitely not too soon–that’s a lot of load to put on a healing tendon. I recall KKirk started doing plyometrics at some point–pretty sure it was after 6 months though. Check his blog too.
November 14th, 2013 at 4:30 pm
ETA: It took me about two weeks to get to the point where I can jog a mile comfortably–no twinges, no weird sensations, etc. Never made it to a rubber track but have been careful to avoid potholes and acorns. I jog a 9-10 minute mile (hangs head in shame) but it feels great and seems to be helping my foot strength. Hope everyone is doing well!
November 14th, 2013 at 10:40 pm
Hey, you’ll cut down that mile time. Keep building strength and stamina. Slow and steady!
December 8th, 2013 at 6:28 pm
Well done kg,
I’m going to give update next week just dashing for my flight x
January 28th, 2014 at 1:01 pm
hi KG - i’ve seen you posts and finally got around to checking out your blog. congrats on a strong and successful recovery. your pictures inspire as i’m getting to close to walking crutch-free. i’m in the bay area as well and definitely can’t complain that i have had weather on my side.
January 28th, 2014 at 4:39 pm
@SintStands: This weather has been unbelievable, hasn’t it. I feel a little guilty when I read about friends who wake up to 12″ snow on the ground or having to go to work when it’s -42 C. Some days, that is what gets me out on the trail–thinking I need to take advantage of the good weather since I can.
Glad to have company in the BA. I didn’t see your blog but I will look for it. Best of luck with your FWB!