Create.

30 minutes upright bike

30 minutes elliptical

40 minutes elliptical -- just trying to take it nice and easy -- and trying to fight off the discouraging thoughts going through my head

-- Ionto patch

-- 1st ultrasound treatment

** Keeping my fingers crossed that I will start seeing some improvement. So far there has been a little bit of improvement but not a whole lot. I guess that is better than it getting worse. Both doc and PT think I will start seeing some improvement by Wednesday.

100 minutes deep pool running.

2nd ultrasound treatment

Funny thing: Okay ... so I have had this rash on my hurt leg. Only thing is I hurt on the lateral anterior portion of the lower portion of the lower leg, and the rash is on the medial portion of my upper lower leg (if that makes sense). Anyway, I just thought they somehow were interrelated. This morning the rash was way worse. I decided to head into the Heber InstaCare because I had shingles back in 1996 and the pain and appearance looked much too familiar. Sure enough ... shingles!!! Are you kidding me??? Sigh!! (Luckily this bout of it is not too bad.)

Good news is that today is the first day that I feel like the pain in my leg is really lessening. I think the Ionto patch and ultrasound are starting to work their magic.

I took the kids swimming this afternoon and was able to get in 100 minutes of pool running with very little pain. It was AWESOME!!! And the time flew by as I watched my trouble-makers enjoy themselves splashing around. :)

4th treatment of ultrasound

2nd ionto patch

*** I am finally starting to really see improvement! I am so excited!!! I really wanted to try and run a couple of slow miles this evening but I promised my boss/PT that I would wait until tomorrow evening. So I am now riding the bike, blogging, and watching the game instead! Go Butler!!!!

a.m.

120 minutes elliptical -- the least amount of pain I have had for 10 days!!!! :)

p.m.

45 minutes upright bike (easy)

am

60 minutes upright bike

pm

.45 miles -- It was a "no go" :(

update:

On a positive note - my incredible hubby felt so bad for me (as he could see that I was desparately trying to fight back the tears of disappointment) that he told me he had a surprise that he was holding on to and was intending to give me later. He came back with two tickets to U2!!!!! I have ALWAYS wanted to see them in concert but have never been able to. I really am the luckiest woman.

80 minutes elliptical

** Began a prescription of prednisone.

** Still ultrasounding everyday.

I think I just failed my first test ever.

Name this quote: It portrays my feelings today about a lot of things perfectly!!! :)

"Precious Father, why have you given me this desire to wrestle and then made me such a stinky warrior?"

60 minutes elliptical

3 miles - too much pain - sigh

90 minutes elliptical

Came home from church during the third hour because my leg was swelling and hurt. I don't know what to do. We are suppose to leave for Boston on Thursday.

My concern is that even if I run the race slowly, that I will not be able to finish it. I do not want my first Boston experience to end that way. I am so conflicted.

Anyway ... just wanted to get that out there.

Thank you everyone for all of the kind words and encouragement. Everyone has been so wonderful. For whatever reason, my body just does not like to cooperate with me sometimes. It makes me feel so wimpy -- but it is what it is. I am obviously still learning what will and will not work for me.

Love you guys!

45 minutes deep pool running

1000 meters swim

Boston:

Positives:

1. Get to run, or at least attempt to run, the historical Boston Marathon

2. Be with friends

3. A good chunck of the cost is not refundable, so just go and have fun regardless

Negatives:

1. Not be able to finish the race

2. Lose $550 of the $3000 for this trip

3. Get further behind in school

4. Worsen the anterior compartment/do more damage

Still haven't made up my mind. I keep going back and forth.

(But I haven't cried today!!! :))

Boston Update:

I have decided to go to Boston and have the time of my life!!!! :) :) :)

This morning's PT appt:

Okay, last night I worked with another PT who said that she thought she knew of a PT that could help. The PT, who has some incredible clients (NBA players, WNBA players, Ballet West, REAL players, etc.) talked to me over the phone last night and agreed to meet me at 6:45 this morning. WOW!!! How lucky am I?

First, let me just say that every single person I see seems to have a different diagnosis for me. This morning was no different. But I am hoping and praying that this diagnosis is right. I have to study, so I will try and make this quick:

After messing around with my leg a bit he said that the calcaneus and talus were out of alignment. He said this would explain the sudden pain with no warning signs. According to him anything could have caused it, a mis-step, pivoting wrong, hitting it on something, etc. He did some mobilizations and I heard a few pop pops. Immediately I had much more flexion and extention in my foot. He told me then to hop on the treadmill and run. He warned me that there is a ton of pressure in my lower leg, likely because of my ongoing issues with compartment syndrome and the impingement caused by this misalignment. He said this pressure will make it uncomfortable to run, even painful, but he wants to see if the stabbing pains come back. I hopped on at an 8:34 pace and ran 1/2 of a mile. Lots of pressure, no stabbing pain! He said that is a good sign. He wants me to run tonight or tomorrow night for a handful of miles and see how it goes. He then wants to see me again Thursday morning at 6:45 to mobilize the joint once more. He thinks there is a decent chance that I can run this race without causing any permanant damage if I can deal with the pain. I am going to deal!!!

I am so happy!!!! :)

True, Boston is not going to be what I had initially hoped ... but it will be Boston!!! :)

Most importantly:

Thank you everyone for all of your encouragement, love, prayers, healing vibes, kind words, and support. You have no idea how much it has meant to me. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful people. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

a.m.

1200 meters swim

p.m.

6 miles

* PT wanted me to run 5 - 7 miles this evening to see how my body responded. I decided to run 6. Pain increased until mile 3 and then it stayed pretty constant through mile 6. I feel like I can likely run 26.2 miles at this level of pain. I kept thinking, "Relax, enjoy the run." I think with the extra adrenaline and energy of other runners that I might be able to pull this off. :) Keeping my fingers crossed.

Thank you so so so much for all of the positive energy. I know this might sound crazy, but I believe it helps tremendously.

Do I really still have to study this evening?? :)

Bib #: 14385

(My bib # adds up to 21 ... isn't that a lucky number????)

Starting to wonder if I shouldn't be here in Boston (just teasing) but get this:

SLC airport: Waiting for Ry to park the car. I was sitting on my carry-on (it was vertical) when it slipped out from under me and I landed flat on my coccyx!!! Seriously ... I'm not sure which hurt worse, my tushie or my pride. SO EMBARRASSING!!!

SLC airport: Right when we were getting ready to enter the plane some lady came out and said, "Sorry, there is no more overhead storage, all bags much be checked in." ARE YOU KIDDING ME???

Boston Logan airport: Hallelujah ... our bags are here!! WAIT!!!! It's broken!!! STINK!!!! The pocket that contained all my socks, undies, belts, and swimsuit is torn and missing half its contents!!! "Sorry madam, there is nothing we can do. Just fill out this form and someone should get in touch with you within four weeks." THIS HAS GOT TO BE A JOKE!!!

Hotel: Whew ... we are finally here. I am going to kick off my shoes and sit here at this desk and check my email. OUCH!!! I just ran over my stinkin' big toe with this heavy chair and now it is bleeding!!!!

SIGH ... LAUGH ... I deserve to get two jackets at the Expo! Done deal!!! :) :) :) Bring it!!!

LOVE Boston -- LOVE the course -- LOVED being able to start with Lark (a new friend, who is so incredible)!!!!

Part One (first 5K):

Started WAY WAY WAY too fast!!! BUT ... my reasoning was good (or so I tell myself). Lark and I were literally at the start line of the second wave. I have NEVER had the opportunity to lead a race, and knew that I would likely NEVER have the opportunity to do so again. BUT ... here we were ... it was BOSTON and I had the chance!!! Took off way fast (for me) and stuck with a group of 5 that was leading the way!!! Was able to stay right behind the motorcade for quite some time. Knew I would pay for it later but I was just so excited to be running after taking 3 weeks off and in the BOSTON MARATHON ... just couldn't pass this up (plus, I didn't even know if I was going to finish, so I was going to grab this memory). Decided I would find my pace after the 5K mark!!!

Part Two (miles 4 - 17):

Found my pace, right under 8 minute miles. Thought for sure I could run a sub 3:30. Had a HUGE grin on my face most of the time. Leg was painful, but it was doing better than I had expected. My stomach was acting up, probably had WAY too many pain meds in me (I won't even admit to how many) but I was able to keep the bulk of the miles right where I wanted them. I was one happy girl!

Part Three (the demise):

Things started really going south!!! STINK!!! Nothing was responding. I could not run relaxed and I thought that if I took any more pain meds that all heck might break loose. Tried to keep it going, but could not. Began throwing up in my mouth and swallowing it. Leg felt like it was going to bust open. Felt the consequences of starting out way too fast and not running for 3 weeks. STINK!!! It was getting EXTREMELY ugly. I was far too cocky the preceding miles and I was paying for it now. Watched my average pace go down down down down down. Dug as deep as I could but got no response!!! Tried to concentrate on the amazing aspects of running Boston but really just wanted to lay down in the middle of the street.

Sadly … my Boston Marathon pace ended up being slower than my long training runs!!! BUT … I ran it!!! I finished!!! And I gave it ALL I had!!! (And I have two cool jackets.)

Part Four (the aftermath):

My leg looked like it belonged on a Cabbage Patch doll for a couple of days! My cute hubby had to take me to all of my classes and pick me up because I could not walk. (HOWEVER, today it is starting to really improve.) The Ogden marathon by necessity has to be out. But would I do it again??? Yeah, I think so!!!

A special thanks to all of my friends for making Boston AWESOME!!!! Being part of such an amazing race is something I will NEVER forget!!!!

I love you guys!!!

My other Ry and me :)

So much fun with my SSF and the girls :)

Kelli and Scott Rock!!! :)

2 miles

40 minutes elliptical

8 @ 9:10 AP

My fitness has definitely decreased, stink. Hopefully it will come back soon.

Anterior compartment did great. Still pain in the calf/soleus, but better than Saturday.

6 miles AP 9:15

9:30, 8:34, 8:00, 7:48, 7:42, 7:36, 7:30, 9:45