The Boot

It's been an embarrassingly long time since my last posting.  Chalk it up to being busy, traveling the world, and ... well ... not a lot to write about I guess.  At least, not much good news. 

So, I got back from Brazil, which I think was my last post, and visited a sports podiatrist for the continuing pain in my foot, where my previously-diagnosed stress fracture was.  He sent me for an MRI, and about a week later, MRI in hand, I got the ugly news.  Not only had my stress fracture NOT healed at all, it had gotten worse (side by side comparisons of the MRIs confirmed it).  Now, the fracture goes to the core of the bone, whereas back in August there was no visible fracture line, just the bone lit up like a Christmas tree on the MRI.  Sadly, I got "da boot" -- a walking cast, which, thankfully, I can take off and put on as needed; especially since the fracture is in my right foot.  So, at least I can take the thing off and drive. 

What bummed me out most about it was that, with the broken ribs, I was "off" of my foot with no running for nearly 12 weeks before I tried after my ribs were healing.  12 weeks, no running, and the fracture didn't get better, it got worse!!  Very frustrating.

The other good news is that I CAN still swim and even ride my bike (only indoors, the doc cautioned, so the Computrainer has been getting a lot of work); and I can lift weights -- upper body only.  Basically NO weight bearing exercise of any kind at all.  I'm being REALLY good with the cast.  I want this damn thing to heal this time.  So, I've been swimming a fair amount, and riding a fair amount, trying to stay in as good shape as possible, recognizing that it's really hard to maintain my total fitness with one of my key sports knocked out.  But, I'm doing pretty good, I guess. 

I go back to the Doc on December 1, which will be six weeks to the day of the boot going on.  Hopefully, he gives me the green light.  But, I have told him I'd like to get another MRI to confirm that the bone has fully healed.  I don't think I can afford to reinjure it, and if it means staying in the boot a few more weeks to let it heal fully, I will, if that's what it takes.  I'm targeting to begin running again mid-December...fingers crossed.

I still have the Boston Marathon 2010 on my calendar as my first big event in 2010.  When I start running again, assuming that will be around mid-December, I will have four months to get ready.  I will need it.  The last time I ran anything more than a few steps was on July 27th (not that I'm like counting the days, but I pretty much am...)  It will be about five months by the time I get back to training, assuming the bone heals this time.  That will almost be like starting from scratch.  I'll have four months.  Sixteen weeks.  But I know, if I'm healthy and stay healthy, I'll be ok. 

I've also had to travel virtually EVERY week since the boot has been on.  What luck is that?  The airport security guys really do not like this thing!  I get parked in the "penalty box" when I go through security and they wand and test my cast.  But, sometimes it can work to my advantage.  I've gotten "scooted up" to the head of the line waiting to go through security a few times, as TSA agents felt pity for poor me in the cast.  Sadly, though, I also have to check my bag (which I really DO NOT like to do) on every trip, because the doc ordered me an ultrasound "bone stimulator" (honest to God, that is what they call it) to help the bone heal.  It's a little ultrasound device which I use every night, placing the ultrasound right over the bone at the spot where it is broken.  I hope that helps it heal. 

What else has happened?  Hmmm.... Well, my daughter Elin turned one this past week.  And, she started walking about a month ago, right around 11 months old.  In fact, her first "across the room" dash (Frankenstein style) happened on Halloween night.  She was dressed as a pumpkin and was so adorable.  She's really a cutie.  When I get my act together, I will post a few pictures from Halloween and her birthday party.  She is really such a joy -- and is a very happy girl.  Always busy, always up to something.  She's not the type to sit down and look at books, or have quiet time -- she's constantly on the move. 

And, my youngest son Keith, who is 22, just accepted a job offer at Target in their Corporate Headquarters in Minneapolis as a Planner/Analyst.  A great place to work, a very rigorous program.  He also had an offer from Reebok, which is just outside of Boston -- but the offer was less, and their program for new hires is not as rigorous as Target's.  It was a tough choice for him, because he really wanted to work in the sports/apparel industry, and Reebok was definately a Company he had interest in.  But, I think he's making the right choice -- but I will miss one of the best training partners I've ever had.  As I told him, "you can always go from Target to Reebok.  I'm not sure about the other way around."  He has gotten in to triathlons this past summer (inspired by me, I will add) -- and by the end of the summer, he had won his age group in the last tri he did (a sprint) and also a duathlon (in the pouring rain).  Considering he had never really ever ridden a bike or swam competitively, he has talent and potential.  But, he'll be moving out to Minneapolis sometime after the New Year, and starting at Target in Mid-January (and arguably, really starting the "next phase" of his life).  In that respect, I'm very happy for him, even though he'll be far away from Boston. 

I write this as I sit in the lounge awaiting my flight to Mumbai.  I'm off for a two day meeting on Monday and Tuesday, and I fly back leaving Mumbai at 3 am (I think every flight leaves Mumbai between midnight and four am) so I get home before Thanksgiving (I land back in Boston around 3 pm on Wednesday, if the Gods of Flight are with me). 

I'll try not to let another month go by before I post my next journal entry!!