What are you running from?

I've been trying to start running again. Running is good for your heart, your mind, and your soul. Running helps you lose or maintain weight, it sends oxygen to your brain, and expands your lungs.

Even with all of those benefits, it is hard to make myself run.

This morning I walked/ran two miles. I do my best thinking while running/biking or swimming...unfortunately its kind of hard to write anything down during those activities...especially swimming.

A sense came over me that I'm not so much running towards anything at this point in my life. I know I'm pretty sure I'll never win my AG or probably not even medal in a race.

This morning it felt like I was running AWAY from something. Maybe it was a sense of laziness, being tired of not being active, tired of making excuses. Guilt from feeling like I'm aging exactly in the manner I was afraid of...getting fatter and slower. Running from FOMO after seeing all my social media friends post updates of bike races, runs, and triathlons. All of those fears and doubts are demons that poison my ambitions. So I guess I felt like I was running away from demons.

What demons are you running from?

Ankle Surgery Update Day 29 Post-Op

Yesterday was 4 weeks to the day of my Posterior Tibial Tendon Debridement and reinforcement surgery. I'm not scheduled to meet with the doctor who performed the operation for another two weeks. I've been very happy with my progress so far although I'm ready to be done with my walking cast (black boot) permanently!

As you can see in the photo, my wound is completely sealed and scab-free. 

According to the foot surgery atlas I should be able to start walking without crutches, in just the walking cast, at four weeks. I have to confess that I've been walking in the boot only for about two weeks now, much to the chagrin of my wife. It just felt like the combination of the boot and the crutches was too much.

Yesterday I took the boot off completely and gingerly walked across the bedroom. Though my steps were careful and measured, I was happy to get some sense of what it will be like to walk pain free again. I made sure I didn't put too much weight on the left ankle nor flex it much beyond 90 degrees. It feels pretty good, though the skin and the tendon still feel tight. I think I might be able to begin physical therapy in a couple of weeks. I sincerely hope to be cleared to walk in normal shoes or boots by then as well! 

Still a good bit of swelling in comparison to the right ankle, but I don't have the tender spots above and behind the malleolus that I had prior to the surgery.