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November 5, 2009

Now, it doesn't mean that I cannot dream to the future, right? I know that I am far from being ready to run a Marathon just yet - that is a 2011 project - but I like to seak for inspiration here and there... So, here is a video of the Boston Marathon course in 8 minutes.

Pretty cool but still exhausting to just watch! LOL

This video was recorded on April 12, 2008 by The MetroWest Daily News while driving the route which starts in Hopkinton and ends in Boston's Copley Square.

I would bounce and dance in joy if I could... LOL

According to Doc the checkup X-ray showed great progress and he thinks that my foot has healed strong enough to handle my weight and walking around - leisurely has he specified... LOL

I was given a "lovely" ankle brace that I am going to have to wear for three weeks and with sneakers - no open shoes. 

Isn't it pretty or what?!! 

A new addition to my collection of casts and boots [$$$]  - My Podiatrist is going to have a very nice Christmas celebration on my account this year...

I will also have to wear the brace for biking but I really don't mind as long as I can ride my bike outdoors again and before it gets too cold.

I was worried about rehab because my foot has suffered with some atrophia during the past 4 weeks - more than I would have imagined - but Doc said that it wouldn't be needed, that muscles should re-strenghen by themselves.

Still NO RUNNING - and so for six more weeks - but I am thrilled that I CAN SWIM, I CAN ROAD BIKE and I CAN WALK again! 

I miss my little man already...

I am doing better than last year though.
Today, I didn't follow the schoolbus to town...

Is it time yet?    

  *** On pense bien à vous, Nana et Papa2 *** 

Although I really really really really would love to run that first Half Marathon this year, I think it is time to face reality and to consider postponing this project to next year - I cannot believe I am actually saying this!  

But objectively talking, if I get out of my castboot in three weeks I will have only 8 weeks left to rebuild my legs strength and to train for the race. I am afraid this is *not* going to be enough time...

Originally, I had planned to follow Hal Higdon's Half Marathon Training Plan for Novices but it is a 12 weeks program and I should have started last week... 

The Jeff Galloway's Walk/Run Method Program for First-Timers schedules 19 weeks of Training + a 8 week Conditioning Program, if needed - wich deep inside I *know* I will.

2009 has been a bad enough running year for me; I struggled with all sorts of foot injuries and if I want to start 2010 on a happy note I have to listen the voice of reason.

I am convinced that I have maintained a good fitness level by swimming and biking regularly over the past several weeks, but I also know that this won't allow me to safely get out there and run 13.1 miles without being injured again... My legs might take me to the finish line if I force them to but it will be elevated cost to pay afterward. 

Would that be worth it? That is what I need to think about now...

Three weeks ago, I was told that the ankle/foot pain I had experienced for a month was in fact a STRESS FRACTURE... A bootcast was placed on my foot and I am supposed to wear it until complete healing, meaning it could take 4 to 6 weeks.

At first, I was devastated because I had a Triathlon coming up two days later. Thankfully, doing the Triathlon despite my injury didn't aggravate it but I had to find a way to keep active while off my feet.

I found the answer in SWIMMING and AQUA JOGGING in deep waters in a pool...

... and INDOOR BIKING at home.

I also fill up on Foods That Boost Energy in order to accelerate my healing and hopefully I will be back out there and running again!

Against all odds, I made it to the finish line!

When I arrived on the race site this morning first person I saw was one of my Sparky Friends Lori who was volunteering on the bike course. How nice to see a familiar face when I was so anxious!

The weather was sunny and warm, perfect for a little swim!

Wetsuits were recommended but not mandatory. I wore my "shortie" but some women preferred not to wear a wetsuit at all.

I got body marked and my bike, Jolly Jumper, was checked and we made our way to the Transition area where I set my stuff (castboot included)

Thank you, Lori, for the photos. On the last one, the top of my castboot shows...

Then I headed to the beach with my mini-transition bag and went for a practice swim. I found that the water was not as cold as usual.

Then, we got the pre-race meeting and celebration of Cancer Survivors. That was the emotional part before the action got started.

On my way to the beach I saw the Swimming Clinic Guy from Peak Performance - I really need to ask his name - who yelled at me "now, I know you are not afraid of that water!" and I answered "certainly not!". The man got to witness my first swim in a lake a few month ago - and my first panic attack - AND my first swim in the Ocean - and my second panic attack when I got stuck in seaweeds - so he knew I needed an extra cheer! That boost of confidence he made me feel pushed me to try some Freestyle stroke which I had never dared in salty waters before. Thank you, Swimming Clinic Guy!

I swam a counter-clockwise 1/3 mile in 14:26 minutes - which is average for me - then I biked the 15 miles course in 57:33 minutes (including the time I spent helping someone with a flat tire) and then I walked the 2.6 miles running course in 50:03 minutes (pace 18:32 min/mile - I couldn't run at all because of my foot injury) but if I had been able to run I would probably have made it in 25 minutes or so (conservatively estimating an avg pace of 9 min/mile). I decided to not wear my castboot because my foot was not sore at all after the biking - which I regretted about 1/4 mile later...

Fortunately, my devoted friend Sharon was a great support as she walked the whole course with me, distracting me from my pain by making spectators cheer for me and talking to me (and making me laugh) all along! ♥ Thanks again, Sweetie! ♥

I spent 8:23 minutes in the first Transition (including that 1/3 mile that I walked - instead of running like I would have normally done - from the mini-transition at the beach to T1 were the bikes were awaiting) and 2:00 minutes in T2 - I was hesitating on wearing my castboot or not...

My overall time was 2:12:24 which places me 469th/497 competitors. I have more the feeling that I completed a duathlon because I didn't run, but that is all right because I this was not my first triathlon; I have proudly become a Triathlete a month ago and I know that if I hadn't been injuried I would have made it somewhere under 1:45:00.

Today, I had a GREAT SWIM, a GREAT BIKING and a FUN (but long) WALK chit chatting with Sharon and enjoying the beautiful Portland scenery.

Although I was sometimes called "crazy" or "unreasonable" to race with a stress fracture - but then a nice man told me that I was STRONG - I am glad I participated in that event because it had such a spiritual meaning to me... and I knew I would be stuck in my Aircast for a while anyway!  

At the end of the race, I headed to the Medical tent for ice and I am no more in pain than I was this morning before the race. Tomorrow bone scan will give more details on my injury... [cross my fingers]

No more race scheduled until November now - 1st Half Marathon - so I am going to have time to give that foot of mine some well deserved REST.

Kids had fun raspberry picking today and I had fun raspberry eating!

Raspberry is great food. It hasn't been listed as one of the 10 Power Foods being best source of health and energy but it is still a good source of Vitamin K and Magnesium, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C and Manganese. The problem is that a large portion of the calories comes from sugars...

1 cup = 64 calories and 5g of sugars.