December 21st, 2013
Dear Diary,
Why is it that when I'm injured people seem to be running by my house way more than usual? There must be some kind of running flash mob that is intended to last throughout the duration of my injury. I counted 10 runners within a half-hour time period this morning. People running together, laughing and talking, runners on their own listening to music, one group of runners who were clearly doing a speed workout, zipping by my house in a line, taunting me. Would it be totally inappropriate to put a sign on my lawn saying "Injured Runner. Please run by slowly and try to look like you're not enjoying yourself one bit"?
December 23rd, 2013
Dear Sweet Diary,
I went for a run, I went for a run!! Yes, it was on a zero-gravity treadmill, with 75% of my body weight, 3x 2 minute intervals for a grand total of 6 minutes of jogging, with my great PT there keeping me from upping the speed and distance like I wanted to. But I'll take it. It felt great. I could have been zipped into those crazy tight spandex, running on air forever. I wonder if this is how good people who are 75% of my body weight feel when they run? Hmm...since I'm not going to be losing more than 30 pounds any time soon, I guess I'll just stick to the zero gravity treadmill.
January 2nd, 2014
Dear, Dear Diary,
Well, it is really cold out today and the sidewalks are very icy, so I guess I should be glad that I can't run outside today. I mean, who wants to bundle up in fleece-lined running pants, 2 layers of long underwear, wind jacket, neck warmer, hat and gloves, all just to go for a slippery, cold run...followed by a hot shower, tired muscles, a warm latte, and an eagerness to hit the road again the next day? I do, darn it, I DO!!! Sob, sob.
January 13, 2014
Dear Diary,
I saw an orthopedic nurse practitioner today, she was great. I'm going to call her Dr. Awesome. Dr. Awesome took a look at my x-ray from November and noticed something not quite right with my last vertebrae. She felt like it was slipped forward and up a bit. She ordered some more tests in the next couple of weeks. It was so nice to feel like someone is really looking at the whole picture, truly listening to my weird-o symptoms and desperation to understand what is going on with my back. Why I can run on the treadmill and feel good, but if I run even a block outside I get searing pain in my back. I'm feeling grateful for Dr. Awesome, and hopeful for getting some answers soon.
January 17, 2014
Dear Diary,
You went running today, didn't you? I can tell by your little joie de vivre, the extra spring in your step. I bet you ran 10 miles, I bet you did the North St- Horn of the Moon Rd loop just as the sun was coming up. That's my favorite run, you jerk. How could you, diary?
January 20th, 2014
Dear Diary,
Checking in for a medical procedure is so funny to me sometimes. I always try to be cheerful and polite despite totally dreading what I'm about to do. Why don't we as patients just tell it like it is when we check in for a particular procedure?
Checking in for a mammogram, for example, "Hi! You know those compressors in garbage trucks, the things that squish the garbage back in the truck, as it crunches and groans into a tight little space? Yeah, I'm here for that procedure. For my breasts. Super, thanks!"
Checking in for a dynamic x-ray: "I'm here to be put into totally awkward positions, basically balancing on my big toe while leaning to the side with my arms way out in front of me like an accomplished yoga instructor, only the opposite. Then they'll ask me to hold that pose while I hold my breath for like a minute. Yup, checking in for that. Great!"
Checking in for an MRI: "How's it going? Yeah, I'm about to be put flat on my back in a tiny enclosed space with giant earphones on so I am not so bothered by the jackhammering and alarm sounds around me for the next half-hour. Only the headphones don't work that well so I just get to imagine I'm stuck in a closet during a fire alarm while the wall I'm leaning against is being jackhammered. Thank you very much, I will now slip right into that hospital gown!"
Though I will say I am so very grateful this technology exists, I think it is very cool and I'm so curious what the x-ray and MRI will say about my body. And, I'm even more curious about the nuclear bone scan I will have in a couple weeks. It will take 5-6 hours?! Hmmm…wonder how I should check in for that?
We are two sisters living on separate sides of the country. One of the things that connects us, beside our love of hot beverages, is fitness. We love to run and strength train, and share the benefits of exercise with others. From the sisters who created Illume Fitness, we bring you Illuminated Runners: musings on running, cross fit, strength training, family, travel, life, and some serious dorkiness in there, too. "The spirit illuminates everything."
