Jul 24 2008
13 weeks..first time on treadmill
Hello everyone. It’s been awhile since my last post, but that’s mainly because there hasn’t been anything too exciting. It looks like I’m done with physical therapy. My company switched insurance this month and my pt provider does not take our insurance. That was just wonderful news. It really sucks when the insurance company dictates how your recovery goes.
Anyways, at my 3 month check-up, I was cleared by the doctor and I do not have to come back. Yay!! I told him thanks for doing a great job and “no offense, but I hope I never see you again.” He just laughed and agreed. In this appointment I was cleared to begin jogging. Luckily I had 1 more appointment before I found out about my insurance and my therapist made sure that my jogging was done right and I was not favoring my bad leg.
Off I go to the gym, which is in my apartment complex. I started out on the treadmill at a brisk walk. My leg felt good, so I started jogging. To my amazement it felt really good. There was a little tightness, but that was about it. I figured I would last about 5 minutes, but shockingly I was able to job for 2 miles at about an 8 minute mile clip. I could have kept going, but I didn’t want to push it. I was in good shape before the accident, so I guess I did not get too far out of shape. I have been running 2 miles per day for about a week now, and I am going to go to 3 in the next couple of days.
Everyone stay positive. You will get through this.
5 responses so far
Nice one, congrats on your solid progress! Glad your leg wants to run. Dont rush things though, build the muscle up and take proper nutrition.
Were you nervous to run? It will take me a long time to get over the fear of tearing again. That is pretty impressive to go 2 miles your very first time back. Good luck with the 3 miles.
Wow! Good for you! At 7 weeks it is hard for me to imagine walking on a treadmill, let alone running! Yays!
I hear ya on the insurance! My husband took a voluntary buy out from his company in January, but was employed “on paper” through March, then the company paid for 3 months of Cobra insurance coverage. (thank God, since this ended up happening)So, my insurance was done June 30th. No more PT, I got in 3 weeks worth. New insurance won’t cover anything of course because its “pre-existing”. At least my ortho covers everything 90 days post op, so my last “free” appt is August 4th which will be 13 weeks post-op.
I do have a jogging question though. How’s the push off with your ATR leg?
My hubby and I were planning on running a 10k this summer…we know how that DIDN’T go. haha. but now I guess i’ll start training again for next year….maybe the half marathon? even funnier!
Thanks for all the comments. I really wasn’t nervous about running. I guess that I trust my doctor. He said that I was ok to jog and also told me that my tendon was healed and now it was time to build strength.
As far as pushing off, I had no problems. I have been able to do standing-one leg calf raises for about 3 weeks. I can’t get as high as my healthy side only about half way. This has allowed me to build up strength in the calf. I really dont walk with a limp anymore, nor do i feel anything other than some tightness in my achilles when I walk. I was never a runner, but I may become one. Maybe training for a 10k or something will give me some motivation. Good luck everyone and keep the faith.