"When I do the best I can with what I have, then I have won my race." Jay Foonberg



Friday, August 2, 2013

Another Obstacle

Well, I've had my share of issues this year and it's only half over.  But I will NOT give up...No, I will keep fighting.  I will learn the lessons presenting itself to me...at least as best as I can. 

Early Sunday morning on July 21st, I was getting in a slow run with a friend, Frank B.  All was going well.  We were using the program he's been using instead of running/walking as we have done individually of late.  As we got to the furthest turnaround, my left foot caught the uneven concrete and took me down!!!  I can't believe this is happening AGAIN!!! 

Having just practically been released [with one more visit left] from my orthopedic doc concerning the calcific rotator cuff tendonitis of my right shoulder, I'd begun my running, planking and floor work again with ease.  I'd just started running about 3 weeks prior, working my miles up for the Talladega Half in September.  My runs have been going great.  As you can tell from my last post I am learning how to run in this dreadful heat and humidity, too. 

Anyway, I fell on my left side [my "good" side] and hit hard on the concrete.  Immediately, I looked up at Frank and told him that I felt that I had broken my shoulder.  The pain was excruciating!!  Participating in a Squat Challenge for July, I'd worked up to 180 by that day so my quads were getting stronger.  Boy, did that come in handy.  Once I was able to get my legs underneath me, lifting me up was a breeze.  I hurt so bad, that I couldn't cry.  Have you ever experienced such pain??  I'd like to know.

My left knee was tore up bad as well as my left elbow.  Blood was coming from both areas.  That afternoon I went to the MEA Clinic to see if I had broken my shoulder.  Sure enough...I had.  X-rays revealed that I had broken the shoulder cap completely off my shoulder!!  Yep...my pain was definitely justified.  A deep hole was gauged out underneath my elbow and my knee just plain hurt from skidding on it!!  They set up an appointment with my doc the next day.  I took a picture that afternoon.  I do NOT bruise so to even see one means I had quite a lick.  Notice how my bicep was swollen, too.  Don't know why but I didn't get one of my knee...which has about killed me, too.  And, there was no way to get my elbow since I couldn't move my arm out far enough to get a snap. 


I was hoping to get some details to the trauma and treatment to ward off this terrible pain.  More pills are okay with me for now...just to help me sleep if nothing else.  The first stop from the waiting area was X-ray.  Oh...my...gosh!!!  I just THOUGHT I was in pain.  Having to pull my arm out away from my body to get a good "picture" like to have killed me.  Again, deep crying with NO tears.  I was taken to a patient room to wait for the doctor.  Hoping I would be in more control of my emotions by the time he got in there did not happen.  He came in almost immediately.  Now, how many times has that ever happened???  NONE!!!  It's always 45 minutes to an hour before seeing a physician after "other" work is done.  But not today.  I was still quite tore up when he came in and could hardly talk.  Maybe after reviewing the x-rays, he knew I was in pain in a bad way.  About all we could do is talk...well, the gasping crying type. 

X-rays also revealed that I had some displacement, too.  He told me as far as surgery goes that I was in the middle.  Either I could have surgery or go the conservative direction.  I chose the latter.  So for now, I'm left wearing a sling and getting plenty of rest...in the recliner, of course.  There is NO laying down for now and moving slow. 

I took another pic on the 24th and the 28th.  The last one you can see how it is turning green, a step toward healing.  Remember, I said I NEVER bruise...there was some kind of hit to this little shoulder. 

Three Days Later (24th)
 
Seven Days Later (28th)

I wish I had taken another picture on the 31st.  It looked terrible then, too.  But didn't think about it at the time. 

A week and half after the accident Kent insisted on me getting out to walk around the local school track.  I really needed to get out and do "something".  As it turned out, we walked 2 miles.  I was more than ready to go.  As a matter of fact, I may have overdone it...well...I did.  My shoulder was very sore that night and a couple of days afterward.  He, also, went to check out the place where I fell.  Sure enough, there was inconsistence in the sidewalk where I fell.  It wasn't me and could have happened to anyone. 

Though I can't do much, I'm about to go crazy.  But, I will not give up.  I may have my down times but things could be so much worse.  My next appointment is next Wednesday at which time I will know how things are progressing.  I hope I'm improving.  One thing I want to leave with you.  Don't ever take for granted your ability to do things.  The very hand you use most may be incapacitated and you will not be able to use it...like me.  The simple things we do can become some of the hardest when you lose the use of your hand/arm/shoulder.  I want you to know that I will not give up...I'm just a little set aside but I do plan to finish the year with the plans I've already made race-wise.  Until I can get up and going again, I want to ask you a favor and do something for me.  Please dedicate a mile to me when you run; but most of all don't take it for granted and go

Run 4 It

2019 Races

  • 05/11/19...9.38 mile Good Life Ride
  • 04/13/19...Raven 5k
  • Dec. 15 - Mar. 8 2019...175 Mile Challenge
  • 02/16/19...Sweetheart 5k
  • 01/19/19...Casio Bridge 5k...DND

2018 Races

12/09/18...MS Gulf Coast Half Marathon
12/01/18...Honeybee 5k (cancelled-weather)
11/17/18...Seville Quarter Turkey Trot 5k
11/11/18...Battleship 12k
10/20/18...Hope Haven Run for Hope 5k
10/13/18...Shrimp Festival 5k
09/29/18...Don McCloskey 5k
09/01/18...Bloody Mary 5k
01/27/18...Casino Bridge 5k

Through December...200 Mile Fall Challenge
Through August...175 Mile Spring Challenge
Through June...150 Mile Spring Challenge

2018 Goals

Bike 500 miles.
Improve gear shifting.
Strength training 2 hours/week.
Run 600 miles.
Improve running without walking.
No processed sugar 75% of time.
Improve positive thinking.
NEVER give up!

2017 Races

  • 12/10/17...MS Coast Half
  • 12/09/17...MS Coast 5k
  • 11/25/17...Kaiser Half
  • 11/18/17...Wild Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11/11/17...Rotary Oyster 5k
  • 10/14/17...Shrimp Festival 10k
  • 02/18/17...Sea Turtle Half
  • 02/04/17...Double Bridge 15k
  • 01/29/17...Big Beach Half

2017 Bike Rides

  • 10/01/17...Southern Magnolia Ride [25.85]
  • 05/13/17...Good Life Ride [26]

Series

  • MS Coast Double Down...5k & Half
  • Run The Beach...3 Half's

2017 Goals

  • Back-to-Back Races [Done]
  • 3 Half Marathons [Done +1]
  • 1,000 Miles-No
  • First Half Marathon Series [3 Done]
  • Work on core/strength 2-3 times a week-No
  • Lose 25 pounds-No
  • NEVER give up! YES!!
  • Control/Eliminate refined sugars-Good

2016 Races

  • 10/15/16...Shrimp Festival 5k
  • 05/30/16...Fiesta Five Flags 5k
  • 03/19/16...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03/13/16...St. Pat's Leprechaun 5k
  • 03/05/16...Bay to Breakfast 12k...1st trail race
  • 02/20/16...Sea Turtle Half
  • 02/13/16...Double Bridge 15k

2016 Goals

  • Run 1,000 miles-Done
  • Bike 300 miles
  • Half Marathon-Done
  • Eat fruit daily
  • Push through the hard times-Done
  • Cut back on refined sugar

2015 Races

  • 12/19/15...Make It To The Line 4 Miler
  • 11/21/15...Wild Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11/14/15...Oyster 5k
  • 10/10/15...Shrimp Festival 5k
  • 05/30/15...PHind a Cure-W/D
  • 05/02/15...Fiesta Five Flags 5k
  • 04/18/15...Zydeco 5k - W/D
  • 04/??/15...Virtual Remember the Fallen 5k
  • 04/??/15...Virtual Boston Strong 5k
  • 04/11/15...Magnolia 5k
  • 03/28/15...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03/07/15...Circle K 5k
  • 03/01/15...Gulf Coast Lulu's 10k
  • 02/28/15...Sweetheart 5k
  • 02/07/15...Double Bridge 15k

2015 Goals

  • 1 Half Marathon
  • Eat fruit daily
  • Overlook past failures
  • Push through the hard times/things

2014 Races

  • 12/06/14...St. Jude's Half Marathon
  • 08/16/14...Pinky 5k Virtual
  • 08/15/14...Howl @ the Moon 10k Virtual
  • 02/15/14...Sweetheart 5k
  • 02/01/14...Double Bridge 15k

2014 Goals

  • 1 Half Marathon
  • 700 Running Miles
  • Strengthen my Upper Body
  • Recuperate, Recover, Renew
  • Get active in WW
  • Eat Fruit Daily
  • Start Clean Eating
  • Begin Eliminating Sugar from Diet

2013 Races

11-30-13...Stennis 5k
11-23-13...Turkey Trot 5k
11-08-13...Run For The Kids Virtual Half [St. Jude's]
10-12-13...Shrimp Festival 5k
09-22-13...Talladega Half
07-04-13...Wesson 2 Miles
06-29-13...Emz Liverpalooza 5k
05-18-13...Pursuit of Fun 5k
04-20-13..Warrior Dash
04-07-13...Gulf Coast Half-Pensacola
03-23-13...Azalea Trail 10k
03-10-13...Leprechaun 5k
02-24-13...NOLA Marathon
02-02-13...Double Bridge 15k-Pensacola
01-13-13....Gulf Coast Half-Lulu's

2013 Goals

  • 3 Half Marathons-Done-Plus 1
  • 1 Marathon-Done
  • 1000 Running Miles-No, due to RC Tendonitis & Broken Shoulder
  • Eat fruit daily-A little aggressive but better
  • Maintain weight in 130's-Did NOT happen!

2012 Races

12-08-12...FloraBama Jingle Bell 5k
11-24-12...Jingle Bell 10k
11-17-12...Turkey Trot 5k
10-27-12...Jazz Half
10-20-12...OS Rotary 5k
10-13-12...Race for Grace 5k
09-29-12...5k For Katlyn
07-04-12...Wesson 2 Mile
04-15-12...Gulf Coast Half...[Withdrew-bronchitis]
04-14-12...Diversity Dash 5k
03-24-12...Azalea Trail 10k
03-03-12...MS50 20k...[Withdrew-bronchitis]
02-25-12...Kids Need Heroes 5k
02-11-12...Sweetheart 5k
02-04-12..Double Bridge 15k
01-14-12...Pensacola Half



2012 Goals

  • 1 Full Marathon-Marine Corp filled up
  • 3 Half Marathons-2 Down-Sick had to drop 2
  • 20 Miles-Wkly Mileage-Bronchitis kept me from this
  • Cross Training 2x Week-Poor Commitment
  • Weekly Weights W/O-Again Poor Commitment

2011 Races

  • 11-26-11...Kaiser Half
  • 11-19-11...Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11-11-11...Thumbs Up for Bill 5k
  • 11-05-11...Senior Bowl 10k
  • 10-22-11...Running the Streets 5k
  • 10-15-11...Shrimp Festival 10k
  • 10-08-11...Mullet Run 5k
  • 09-24-11...Waiting for a Cure 8k
  • 09-05-11...Labor Your Legs 5k
  • 07-04-11...Wesson 2 Miles
  • 06-04-11...Bay Fest 5k
  • 05-14-11...Stargazer 5k
  • 04-30-11...Fiesta 5 Flags 5k
  • 04-16-11...St. Benedict's 5k
  • 04-10-11...Gulf Coast Half
  • 03-26-11...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03-19-11...St. Patrick's 5k
  • 03-05-11...Eco 5k
  • 02-13-11...Mardi Gras Marathon

Secrets to Running a 5k

Here is an excellent site for those who have thought about running a 5k race but just hadn't made that move yet. There's tips, directions and even a section on what to wear. If you have never run a race, you are missing out on a lot of fun. You will have support from most everyone you meet. Now for the site...click here to change your life and get started!

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