First Run

Finally got cleared on Thursday by my orthopedist to start running again and went out today to jog for the first time in four months. Okay, it's two days short of four months, but I'm rounding up. I walked a half-mile to start, then ran four quarter-mile increments between quarter-mile walks, ending with a three-quarter mile walk. In total I ran a mile out of 3 miles. It felt good and easy and after this long I'm treating like starting over. It was a nice sunny day, which helped the good mood. If my Apple Watch can be believed, my heart rate got into the low 150s on a few of the intervals. It was a great start and I'm happy to be running again.

Just a-Walkin'

Thir morning was breezy but nowhere near as bad as yesterday. Went for a walk with The Wife and the caveat that we'd walk slower due to several nights of bad sleep on her part. We totaled 2 miles at a pace about three minutes slower per mile than my regular and that's okay because I like her. The wind died down quite a bit into the afternoon and I worked for most of that off the back patio while smoking a cigar or two. I decided late in the day to go ahead and run the mower over the remaining leaves and mulch them as best I could. The lawn looks better and I'm glad to have that done. Also ran the sprinklers to boot. It's late February but this might be the beginning of Spring. We'll see.

Gusty

Wasn't sure if I'd get out for a walk today but glad I did. This morning I got up and wrote a couple thousand words in a book I'm almost done with, then went to the cigar shop and stayed longer than I'd intended, ending up with a very late lunch. Afterward, I was going to sit outside and read and decided instead to not pass up the opportunity to walk. The temperature is a mild 59 degrees, but the wind out of the north is a steady 20 mph with gusts up to near 30. When I changed into workout clothes I almost went with the short-sleeve t-shirt. I'm glad I ended up with the long sleeves since that wind was quite chilling. I went 3 miles at a brisk pace, getting the heart rate (allegedly) into the mid-140s uphill. Pretty good workout. I didn't see anyone else out until I'd gone almost two miles, a guy on a bike just starting his route. Another couple walking their dogs down the big hill on Lake Forest, and that's it. Apparently not many people wanted to brave the gustiness of the day.

Thursday Walk

I walked a couple of days ago, Thursday, but kept remembering to post about it at odd times until now. Even though I'm a little late, I can say it was a nice 3-mile walk. Our weather is up and down, especially wind-wise, but it was a nice morning and not too breezy. Due to the timing of when I went, I didn't see much of anyone else out other than some guys working on sprinkler maintenance at the entrance to Creekview. I probably should've gone for another walk yesterday but I had other plans, and maybe I'll go this afternoon. Depends on the wind.

Before the Rain

I got in another 3-mile walk today before the rain hits tomorrow, all day. It was overcast today but still nice, especially for mid-February. I saw a few runners hitting the trail, but not a lot of others out and about. That distance takes about fifty minutes and gets my heart rate on the hills in the 130 bpm range, which is pretty good for a bit of exercise. I walked my regular route and as I walk by the spot where I fell in October I look for clues as to why, but the sidewalk isn't giving up its secrets. Oh, well. At some point in the near future I should be running by that section without a thought. I hope.

Sunny Walk

 A nice morning on its way to 72 degrees this afternoon. Went for a walk with The Wife and went 2.25 miles along my westerly route. We had to put down one of our dogs yesterday so the sunshine and general better mood today felt good. We're due for rain this weekend and I'm trying to get in some walking before it hits and we get trapped inside. Hopefully I can get out again tomorrow morning. I'm ready to start running again but still holding off until I get the official clearance. We'll see how I feel next week and if I want to produce my own version of clearance, but don't tell my doctors.

Gray Walk

Cloudy but mild today, with temperatures in the low 70s. A little breezy from the south, but not too bad. I walked 2.25 miles while listening to a work webinar. Once again, it's nice to have the chance the walk both after the recent health issues and the fact that it's still February and the weather could be a lot worse. I've resumed my shoulder exercises and those are going well. I have a PT appointment next Tuesday and want to be in a good spot. The one area where I still seem to lack flexibility is in trying to reach my right hand behind my back and up the spine. To be far, though, I'm not sure my shoulder was that flexible before the accident after years of sawing the bow in orchestra and playing baseball and softball for decades. Anyway, glad to be back at it and getting back into shape when I can start running again.

Another One, Please

Another nice day in north Texas and another chance to walk. Plenty of time this afternoon and nothing on the agenda until later, so I went out and walked 3 miles. It's tempting to run just to test things out, but I'm only two-and-a-half weeks out from appendix surgery. I resisted the temptation. It was nice to get my heart rate into the upper 120s and break a light sweat. After the collarbone and appendix incidents, I'm feeling about 85-90% back to normal. Honestly, I didn't think I'd feel this well so soon after the appendix surgery and just over two weeks out from getting home. Glad that it seems to be on a consistent upswing and hoping to keep it that way. Weather this coming week is supposed to be good.

Walking Without an Appendix

Today was nice, sunny and mild temperatures, especially for February. I took the opportunity to get out for my first walk since the appendectomy. I'd joke about feeling lighter without an appendix, but in reality I really did lose about 12-13 pounds during the whole fiasco. It's amazing how not eating anything for a few days and then broth and soup for another several days will shed the weight. I walked my 2.25-mile route and it felt about as good as it did before the surgery. No issues or complaints. In that regard I'm feeling pretty good and hoping to get out for some more walking. The nurse at the hospital said it was good for me to walk and that's what I'm going to do.

Health Update

It's been a month since my last update, which is when I was still in recovery for my broken collarbone. In a cruel twist, I had an appendectomy on January 21st, which further put my running recovery behind. It's been two weeks since that surgery and I feel pretty good. Better than I thought I would at this point. I was hoping to get clearance to run at my next orthopedic appointment on the 17th, but that got pushed to the 26th since the doctor will be out of town. All of that puts my likely return to running at the end of February or beginning of March. I don't think I'm going to make it for the St. Patrick's Day 5k this year. I can see that by the time I can start running again it'll be four months since the last time and I'll be doing a lot of walking with intermittent bouts of running. It'll take time to build up the base again but I'm ready to go whenever I get the word.

Yesterday Walk

It's another nice week in north Texas, especially for January. Highs this week are in the low 70s and yesterday was perfect for an outing. I went at lunchtime and walked 2.25 miles. All good and nice to get some sunshine. The therapist changed my exercises last week to get to full mobility in my shoulder, but again, no running until next month. That doesn't keep me from walking, though. I think a front is supposed to come through over the weekend and drop the temperatures more to a normal January trend, but we'll see. You know how far I trust the forecasters.

Walking Into the New Year

Started off the new year with a 1.25 mile walk. Not a bad day for winter, with temperature in the low 60s and no wind. Overcast, but still can't complain. I was on track for over a hundred runs last year, so it's a little sad that I didn't make it after the broken collarbone incident in October. I went to PT a couple of days ago and got new exercises to get back full mobility, but strength exercises won't start until after the next appointment in February. Hopefully then I can start to run again and build up for a St. Patrick's Day run in March. I'd hate to miss that since it's been a tradition for the last several years. A 5k would be the upper limit of my running at that point if I can get back out there and train for 3-4 weeks beforehand. I intend to take advantage of the nice weather and keep up the walking in the meantime.