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.

No Running 'til February

I went for a walk yesterday morning, 2.2 miles, and it was so nice I wore shorts and t-shirt. Not bad for late December. It was great to get out and get some sun and exercise. In the afternoon, I had my six-week checkup with my orthopedist. The bone is healing as planned but it will be another six weeks before it's fully healed. I'm cleared to do full-motion physical therapy. The bad news is that I can't run until the next checkup on February 17th. The arm swings when running are too repetitive, so the doctor recommended cycling or an elliptical (without using the arm levers) for cardio in the meantime. Not great news, especially since it's so warm this week and it would be fantastic to be running during the spate of good weather. I'm glad about the collarbone and progress there, sad about the running. This definitely means I'll be starting from scratch when I get to resume.

A Little Longer

Today was cloudy with a stiff breeze out of the south, but I went for a walk anyway. I took the little bit longer route that I tried to take last week and this time nature did not call. The tally was 2.4 miles, not a great deal beyond what I'd been doing. It was nice to get out and about, especially after a few days that were much cooler, with overnight low in the 20s. Not sure of the possibility of getting out the rest of this week, but I hear that next week will be nice and Christmas Day could be 70 degrees. I'm totally okay with that.

Uno Mas

When I woke up this morning, I thought about getting out right away and doing a walk before eating breakfast. I decided against that since I wanted to enjoy a leisurely breakfast with a few cups of coffee. This afternoon, I went out when the temperature was in the upper 50s, but by the time I finished it felt much cooler. Clouds had moved in to stay and propel us toward a high of 43 degrees tomorrow. Still, I had a good walk of 2.25 miles. I planned on going longer, but the need to take care of the earlier coffee and water kicked in. Still, I got in a walk for the fourth day in a row. There will be no walk tomorrow.

Another Walk

Today I took a walk part of my normal running route. I saw one of my friends in the neighborhood and talked with him for a couple of minutes, and then set out along the path where I fell the last time I ran. Back in October, if you're keeping track. As I walked past that spot, I checked to see where I'd tripped and sure enough, it was just a normal crack in the sidewalk. There was one spot where the concrete pads weren't completely level, but I don't think that's where I went down. Anyway, I walked about 2.35 miles total and it was a lovely day. Sunshine, breeze that wasn't too overbearing, and I felt good. I might have mentioned this before, so apologies if I have: I feel like the walking is good for my shoulder since the arm swings, as limited as they are in normal walking, are still useful. Part of my PT involves swinging my arm and I figure that walking and getting that little extra bit of normal use must be beneficial. Hoping to walk again tomorrow and make it four days in a row.

Six Weeks

Today is six weeks since I fell and broke my collarbone. I went for another walk, same 2.25-mile route as yesterday. The wind was out of the south this time, opposite of yesterday, but not really any warmer. Sunshine, though, and that's always welcome this time of year. I'm still wishing I could run but doing my best to avoid doing something stupid. At least I'm getting out a few days this week for moderate exercise. I have a feeling I've put on a few pounds with the lack of activity, but those should come off quickly once I can resume my normal schedule. Whenever that is.

December Walking

Today it was nice enough to walk. The last couple of weeks have been busy and the weather not so good. It was nice to get out and enjoy the sunshine even though it was a blustery day. I walked 2.25 miles and this time without a sling. I'm four weeks out from collarbone surgery and I think the minimal arm swinging during a walk is good for the shoulder. I've been doing my PT faithfully but I think it'll be after the first of the year before I can run again. I thought about trying a few short runs during the walk. Common sense prevailed. No need to risk reinjuring myself while the bone is still mending. I'm looking forward to the day when I can run again. Without falling this time.

Another Walk

Still in walking mode and will be for the foreseeable future. The shoulder is healing just fine, but will still be in the sling for a few more weeks. This is a holiday week and I'm enjoying having extra time to do things like walk. Today was nice and sunny after a rainy, cloudy day yesterday. I walked 2.25 miles again, about forty minutes' worth of exercise. Hoping to do the same again tomorrow.

One-Armed Stroll

I'm a week out from collarbone surgery where the doctor put in a plate and eight screws. Still in a sling, but I've been doing the physical therapy exercises they gave me since last Friday. We have rain in the forecast starting tonight so I decided I should get out and get some sun and exercise. It was a nice morning. I went 2.25 miles and will do my best to walk when possible since it's still going to be several weeks before I can run again. My mother-in-law asked me earlier this week if I'd be able to get back to running with any kind of confidence. I replied that yes, I'm kind of stupid like that. Looking forward to the day when I get to go back out and start building up mileage again. In the meantime, it's all about focusing on healing the fracture and regaining mobility and strength in my right shoulder.

Two Walks

This week I've taken two walks with The Wife. I can't lay about and not get any exercise whatsoever, especially with limited options when one of my wings is out of commission. The weather was fabulous both days, sunny and cool with the coming of autumn. We walked just over 2 miles each time, taking a route through the north side of the neighborhood and into a new one where they're just building the model home. Delightful walks, delightful company. This afternoon I have a check-up with the orthopedist. They're supposed to take new x-rays and include both shoulders. That way they can use my left collarbone for reference on how the right one is healing and if there are issues with it shortening or other stuff. I'm ready to be back to normal, by the way. I hate missing out on regular running when the weather is so nice.

Worst Run Ever

Today I had the worst running injury ever - I broke my collarbone. Which also counts as the stupidest running injury and one I never thought I'd experience when I considered the usual suspects. I went out for a run on a nice, cool morning. About a half-mile in, just gliding along and listening to music, I tripped on a sidewalk seam, one I've run over hundreds of times. It wasn't even unlevel like some of the other uneven sidewalk panels I know to avoid. Usually when I trip I can go into a roll and come out relatively unscathed. I was at the edge of the sidewalk and grass of a church and attempted the same thing, except this time the back of my right shoulder impacted the concrete. Hard. I knew then that my run was over. I walked the half-mile toward home and ran into The Wife leaving the neighborhood and gave her the rundown. When I took off my shirt that was the most painful part, and in the shower I noted the bump and pain on the front side. I may not be the smartest person, but I know when I should go to the doctor. They take x-rays and confirmed a clean break, sending me to an orthopedist who said it's basically immobilizing the arm and time to heal.

What does this all mean? No running for at least the next month, and maybe a little longer. No Turkey Trot. I'll be taking walks to try and maintain some semblance of fitness, but I'll miss running. More to come as the days and weeks progress.

Eat the Banana, Hold the Cramps

A couple of hours before my run this afternoon I ate a banana. You might recall that the last couple of times I've tried the westerly route that I suffered from calf cramps and those outings did not go as planned. Also, as I've mentioned previously, I need to vary my route so that my body doesn't get physically and mentally mapped to a standard run. We got quite a bit of rain the last few nights and I wasn't sure how today would go, but it stayed cloudy with no more rain. Temperature was in the low 70s with a slight breeze out of the north. Felt good. Sure enough, when I started running I felt the slightest bit of tightness in my calf muscles but it seems the banana did its trick. Overall, the run went much better than I expected. I went 4 miles and change, taking a walk past the usual turnaround and then running all the way up the hill on Ridge before walking the steep hill on Virginia. I have to say I kind of surprised myself with that hill run, but it turned out well. Finished feeling strong and happy that I conquered the dreaded calf cramps.

Frustration

Today's run reminded me a bit of the runs I used to do after the workday when I lived in Kansas City. An hour or so to get the bile of the day out of my system. It was one of those rare days in my current job where I felt the same. I actually wanted to run longer, but the weather was faithless. It appeared mild, but the temperature clocked in at 82 degrees. Halfway through the run the sun came out. Fortunately, I know this pattern and walked at each mile marker even though it seemed silly early on. At mile 2.5 I walked a bit because my heart rate seemed too high, but after that 1/5th of a mile it turned out better. Also, early on my calf muscles felt tight. Even after my last attempt and post, I ran the same route, which is probably not what I should be doing. I should eat more bananas. I ran 4 miles and overall it was a decent run. Not great, not bad. Rain is coming in tonight through Saturday, which means I might not get in a run this weekend. We'll see how it goes.

Mixed Bag

I took the westerly route again today and once more, it did not go according to plan. I'm starting to think my body has become too used to the routine of the easterly route - a slight uphill, a big downhill, level for a long way, big uphill, and slight downhill to end. On the one I tried today, I walked past the incline at the start and ran along a gentle rise. For some reason my calf muscles were extra tight and so I walked after a half-mile. The walk relaxed my muscles a bit, and so I ran-walked the rest of the way for 2.25 miles total. I ran a .5, .33, .2, and .25, just past a mile-and-a-quarter total. Since I have that theory about the route and how it's affecting me, I need to put some thought into more variety. I don't want to get into something like a Turkey Trot next month and have problems because it's different from my normal route.

A Glorious 57

It was 57 degrees this morning with low humidity, even after a somewhat rainy yesterday. I put off the normal Saturday run until today because of the chance of rain. It paid off with a lovely morning, perfect for running 6 miles without the usual breaks. Sunny with a light breeze made for a really good run. Also, I keep forgetting to mention this, I started taking creatine this past week. I've read some things about how it's not just good for physical activity but also helps mentally. So, I'm giving it a try. Honestly I don't really care that much about how it might improve my running since that's not my focus these days. It's more about the brain part. Anyway, I mention it so that if I talk about it in the future, here's where it started.

Still in the 80s

When I say "still in the 80s," I don't mean the 1980s. Although it was a fantastic decade, I'm talking about the temperature. Today's high was only 83, but we're still in the same pattern we've been in for the past couple of weeks. Or longer. This morning when I let the dogs out, it was only 60 degrees. Felt nice and if I didn't have an early work call, I could've enjoyed a run then. Instead, I had to wait until the end of the day. At least it was mostly cloudy, with the sun only occasionally poking through. Even so, I still ran at the mile markers. All in all, a good run. I got passed by the same guy twice and once coming back my way from a turn. Oh, well. I wasn't in it for speed today. Maybe as the weather cools in the next few weeks.

Another Morning

This morning was another nice one. 70 degrees and sunny with a slight breeze from the south, kind of like a lot of mornings recently. I was able to get out between meetings and ran 4 miles, the first half without stopping and then walks at the turn and third milepost. Saw several squirrels, busy with getting ready for colder weather, it appears. A few people, but not a ton given the time of day. Not much else beyond that to report. Oh, I did run a bit quicker the last quarter-mile, but that's about as exciting as it got. I like non-exciting runs.

Lovely Morning

62 degrees when I set for this morning's run. Nice and almost too nice. The rising sun was blinding as I headed east, but can't complain since it was such a good morning for a run. It's amazing what a lower temperature will do. My pace was about a minute or more faster than more recent runs, not that I was consciously trying to go faster. I also didn't have to walk at the mile markers. I went 5 miles and had a really good run. Plenty of people out on such a clear blue morning. I think there was a 5k going on over by Towne Lake, but I didn't get far enough to run into any racers. I also think walking on Thursday helped me have fresher legs, an opportunity I didn't waste. I got home and had breakfast, coffee, and a morning cigar while I worked on a new book. The chapter I wrote went better than I expected, a nice little creative surge. This afternoon is the Red River Shootout and I plan to watch at the cigar shop. Boomer Sooner!

A Good Walk

I decided to go west this time, which is the hill route. Given that I've suffered from calf cramps a couple of times recently upon setting out upon said route, I walked up the initial hill and a farther than I usually would. However, once I got to the corner where I'd planned to run, the walking felt so nice that I put it off for a bit. And then a bit more. The run quickly turned into a nice walk. I didn't really plan it that way, but I think it was the right thing to do. The sun was out, the temperature above 80 degrees, not a lot of shade, and this was my third outing in five days. I settled in and enjoyed a 2.25 mile stroll. What a nice day.