the 5K and other musings

running with the drop foot brace -- look how my foot is even going in an upward motion! too bad you can't see the totally cool huge piece of plastic running down the back of my leg...

a couple of weeks ago miles and I came full circle. last year he did the 5K with me on the inside, all snug and cozy in the womb. this year he rode in style on the outside all snug and cozy in the bob. I guess maybe when he's old enough to actually run it with me we will really have come full circle.

with this whole drop foot thing I wasn't expecting too much out of this race. I was sure I'd have to walk most of it. a slight bummer but I was really out there for the sentimentality of it all. I wouldn't have done the 5K otherwise. {I don't really believe in paying that much money for a 5K -- especially when I don't even get a cool tech-tee} I was surprised by how much I was actually able to run, though. and the fact that my gait is feeling more normal. {I really haven't mentioned my progress on this blog or the other in a while; I'm actually able to hold my foot up these days, though I still can't flex it or my toes really any higher than the neutral position. but this is such progress, folks!} so I was pretty amped by the whole thing, regardless of my slower finish time.

37 minutes, chip time, if you were wondering.

and my hamstring felt fine afterward. {but later that night I played an indoor soccer game... that might have put it over the edge slightly...}

the next week I went on a couple fitness walks. like four and three mile walks respectively. I would have tried to throw a little running in there, but my hamstring was tweaked a little bit. and then I think I've done nothing since. except play soccer on saturday.

I had a talk with the husband about working out a schedule for my physical fitness. I have been totally slacking ever since miles came along. it's just so hard for me to figure out a time when I can do this. I don't know how moms fit this in on a regular basis. it is seriously blowing my mind. I know that if I wake up really early I could get it in and not have to worry about the small boy. but hello, have you met me? early mornings are hard sometimes.



so this is what we came up with:

swimming -- I really need to get back to masters, I feel. and I hear the big kid pool is opening up next week. yay! so if my husband comes home from work early on swimteam days I could totally do this.

spin class -- this still requires me waking up early, I fear. but a couple times a week I could do it... right? once I'm up it's really not that bad. and I like that I have it done and over with before my day really begins. I can do it. I can totally do it.

luna chix -- the team starts workouts next week, I believe. it will be fun to have a group of ladies to train with. even if I am the slow girl with drop foot now. on running days I'll even be able to bring miles with me in the running stroller. on bike or swim days pete will just have to come home early or something. totally doable. and this gets me out on my bike.there's safety in numbers, friends.

running -- now that the days are getting nicer (in general, I know that it's currently snowing right now, but whatever) I can at least get out with miles. I'll still probably be doing a walk/run combo, but I really want to work up to being able to run for longer stretches.

physical therapy -- I'm still going every few weeks or so. sometimes I struggle to actually do my exercises every day, but mostly I'm doing them. and my muscles are getting stronger I can tell.

indoor soccer -- I was a little worried that indoor was going to be the worst idea ever for my drop foot self. and everyone else kept telling me it just might really help. {but my PT doesn't know. so don't tell her.} and despite some close-calls and slight injuries (like when I thought I broke my big toe on the drop foot side) I think it really has helped me. over the course of our season I have started feeling better about things. it has gotten easier and I have improved. that was my only goal, to improve. it's starting to feel a little bit like it used to, and that's a really good feeling.


so that's the basic jist, what do you think? do you think I can stick to it? we made the plan last week and I've already yet to do a single thing on it. but in my defense, both peter and I were hit with some serious food poisoning earlier this week. it turns out that huge burritos from loco lizard just might do you in.

so next week. next week is the start of my new life. and to stay motivated I will keep watching those ironman championship reruns during the day while I feed miles. people finishing without legs? I just have drop foot. totally inspiring.