15 months plus - Things I have been doing in my spare time
August 13, 2012 by xplora
It has been over 15 months now and it seems only now do I have the time to sit down and add another post. Life gets back to normal much quicker than it would seem in the early stages of this injury. The biggest change since my last post is a marked increase in flexibility. The tendon and surrounding joints do not feel as stiff and I wake up in the morning not thinking about ever having had this injury. My other AT still gets a bit sore from time to time and all I can hope is that I can get my house finished before anything happens to it. It is not something I dwell on as much but I have lessoned the risks for the moment by not running or doing other explosive sports and I keep up some specific exercises. I also have to think of my long suffering partner. This is a lifestyle choice I have made until the house is completed and it would be selfish to risk another injury. I now live in a beautiful and somewhat isolated part of Australia and intend to spend many days exploring the mountains on foot and horseback. I feel I may have at least one more ultra marathon in me but I am no longer driven to do it. In any case, I have the perfect location for training should I decided to go that way. This injury will give you a brief pause to reflect on your life. Take some time to smell the roses and then get back into whatever you choose. What have I been doing in my spare time - Hiking, fly fishing for trout in our own river and simply building a dream.
Snow on the new house
Our view of the mountians
It sounds and looks good to me! Keep on keepin’ on!
Stuart, I can’t believe I missed this post before!!!!! The house is truly beautiful, you built this through the most difficult circumstances and its says much about your approach to this whole injury. Like you Im not so driven now. I just don’t feel the need to ‘crank up the grades’, I want to be fit but would prefer a break from major injury
I can picture you and your partner riding around on your horses in this beautiful place and thank you for putting these photos up. I had a mental image and it is not different from what I imagined 
Looks absolutely breathtaking!
Wow! Your place looks amazing and the view is stunning. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t jealous
I hoping in a few more month I will be back hiking in the mountains again and not just these little hills on the other side. Beautiful!
Oh Stuart…… How are you? I hope this finds you well. I’m 8 weeks post op and in the vacocast. I love it. I’m doing my best to be obedient, but I wouldn’t be me if I was playing 100% safe.
I think of you often because every time I doubt my achilles still exists, I remember your advice of doing the ABCs with my foot and if I feel the muscles moving it’s connected. I do this everyday.
I remember also you telling me the healing cycle of the achilles. So what’s it doing at week 8?
How’s the homestead? Take Care. xx
Anne - At 8 weeks you probably have all the collagen laid down but it needs some organisation to make it strong (to put it simple). The danger period is generally past by 12 weeks so the next 4 is probably the time you have to be most carefull. It is the time many go back to shoes and it is often characterised by an over active sense of surroundings. Physio gets things feeling better but you should not get too carried away on your own. I still visit here but comment less. There are plenty who offer good advice and support and I will chine in when if I feel I can offer something different. The homestead is great. Winter is over and the snow above almost gone. It was nice to spend a winter indoors and in particular have an indoor shower and fire. We have another horse coming soon so we will be able to ride the mountains this summer. My big gelding has gone stupid on the spring grass so I expect some fireworks when the saddle goes on. We took time out this week to white water raft on our river. We have a friend who is a guide and teacher and he needed some tourists for the students to practise on. There is no point living in an adventure paradise if you are too busy to enjoy it. I keep up with your progress and have not felt any need to say anything as you are doing just fine. You are also a good support to others. Take care as well, enjoy life.
Hi Stuart, not tendon related - just wondering if you guys are ok, after hearing about the fires in your part of the world?? Doing well, I’m not back to the level I was pre injury but I’m up on my feet for which I am grateful and don’t take any of it for granted any more. Managed a bit of sea cliff climbing earlier this year which was great, very atmospheric.
What a beautiful spot! You guys hit the jackpot with that property I recon
Very glad to hear how well things worked out.