mljackson60's AchillesBlog

Released!

mljackson60 — Thu, 17 May 2012 02:45:36 +0000

My doctor released me on Monday. He said I could do anything I wanted to other than tear anything again. I will try very hard not to tear anything again.

5k

mljackson60 — Tue, 01 May 2012 01:04:23 +0000

Over the weekend I managed my first 5k - running and walking. I had a decent time for me and better than what I expected (43:23). I was hoping for under 50 minutes and made it. I also had a short cycling trip in the afternoon to ride in the community ride when Bo Jackson finished his week long fundraising ride in Alabama. I am quite happy to be this far along at 31 weeks.

Post race

mljackson60 — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 01:09:30 +0000

I finished my first race yesterday - an Aquabike - in 43:45. It was freezing here compared to the normal April temps. It was only 49 degrees when we began. The pool swim was indoors but we had to run a good 1/4 mile back to the transition area and then I biked 6 miles. It was great to be back out racing though and this was a good one to start with since it was geared to beginners. It has been 5 1/2 months since my surgery. I have spent a lot of time in the pool since I got my cast off in December and I think that has helped quite a bit. The week before last I began running a little bit. I am only running a quarter mile at a time right now though I have alternated 1/4 mile walks with 1/4 mile runs for a total of 2 miles twice. I still have a ways to go to get back to a 5k or a full sprint triathlon but I will make it.

checking in

mljackson60 — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:48:41 +0000

It’s been a while since I posted. I’m on the road to recovery, but there is still a ways to go. I started trying to run again several weeks ago but it was too soon. Yesterday I ran a quarter mile though and today my coach had me do some sprints in the gym. They were slow sprints, but faster than I had been going.

My first race in next weekend. I am doing an aquabike so just a swim and bike. No run yet. It will come in time.

Back on the road

mljackson60 — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 02:22:37 +0000

On Saturday I took my first long road bike ride. We did about 15-18 miles. I was not going to take the hills the first time out so we went out a ways on the route and just rode flat roads. It was a beautiful day and a lovely ride. I really didn’t have any problem with it. I did have my clip in pedals removed for the time being and that is really a little odd feeling (since I was used to them). I’m really not sure how long I will stick with the regular pedals but I think for several more months until I feel like I am stronger on my left side.

Released

mljackson60 — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 04:38:07 +0000

This week I was released from PT and told to continue doing it on my own. I’m happy about that. I was going once a week and doing most of it on my own anyway. My calf still needs to be strengthened and I need to be able to do one legged raises. I work with a trainer twice a week so I still have a very regular program and have someone who has known me far longer watching over my training. The other night I was on the treadmill and elliptical for the first time and Sam watched my stride pretty carefully to make sure I wasn’t falling into bad habits with my left foot. I have worked up to two miles on the track. I had planned on trying 3 miles outside this weekend but the weather is not cooperating.

so soon?

mljackson60 — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 04:01:22 +0000

Trainer: Burpees
Me: Really?
Trainer: Did you think you weren’t going to do burpees again?
Me: No, but not this soon.

I did my first burpees this morning 3 sets of 8, along with 3 sets of 20 squats, and 3 sets of push-ups on the bar - that was warm up, by the way. The push-ups actually gave me the hardest time and we had to adjust the bar, though I could have done one legged push-ups.

So I am still progressing and feel like I really am going to see the end. I ran a little more this morning as well. My trainer set up three cones and I ran to one and back, touched the wall and then ran to the next one, etc. I also did that three times.

Full spin class

mljackson60 — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 04:41:20 +0000

This morning I made it through a full spin class. I did not do everything but I was able to do quite a bit. I have not been in pain either so that makes me quite happy. Last week I overdid one day and paid for it the next day. My trainer is challenging me. The PT wants me to get up to a 3 mile walk before I try to run. Tomorrow I am scheduled to walk 2 miles so I am within weeks of possibly trying to run again. I never thought not running would be this frustrating.

PT and spinning

mljackson60 — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:13:21 +0000

I had a really good PT session yesterday. I had a different PT and he really stretched out my Achilles before we began. It made a huge difference. I tried calf raises for the first time and did fine with them. I was also able to balance on my bad foot for 30 sec. (with 60 seconds of very wobbly balance.) We did a number of other stretches as well.

This morning I finally got on the spin bike for the first time since my boot came off. I have been hesitant but my trainer said to try. I rode for 25 min. at varying speeds. It did not bother my foot or ankle. I decided to try to walk the track after I was done. I made it half a mile before I had some heel pain so I stopped. We have been working on stairs this week and I have been in the pool a few days. Someone asked if the fins bothered me. The first day I had a cramp in my right calf (good leg) but on Friday I was fine. I may go to the therapy pool tomorrow just to sit in the warm water.

It was hard to be on the track and not run but I didn’t try.

Doctor’s appointment

mljackson60 — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:46:33 +0000

This morning I saw my doctor again. I was supposed to wait until today to wear two shoes but I started yesterday. He said my tendon was healed so now I need to work on strength. He thinks it will be two to six months, leaning towards the six, before I run again. He did tell me I could ride my road bike now and wear fins in the pool. He seemed a little surprised that I had made this much progress. I don’t have to go back to see him until May. In the meantime I will work with the PT and my trainer to regain my strength. I am already looking at triathlons and trying not to be too anxious. I have not had much pain so far - just a few twinges.