A slightly diminished pep in my step!

Serendipity · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 4:13 am Post subject:

Those NYC Drivers!!!

I can't even imagine how sore you are right now, but I'm sore just thinking about it.

I always worry about my son running around on those streets with the maniac drivers, cabbies, busses, etc. Of course he thinks he's invincible.

Take care of yourself, Lauren, and don't worry about the exercise, you'll be back to yer ole self in no time.

DogMa · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 8:42 am Post subject:

Lauren!! I just saw this, and I'm so sorry (but so glad you're going to be OK). Take it easy, and I hope you'll be as good as new in no time.

And one word: TREADMILL.

Amber · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 11:07 am Post subject:

Geez, Lauren, so sorry to hear of this accident!
You'll be back in step in no time; stay mentally tough, you are doing great!

Lauren · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 12:23 pm Post subject:

Thanks so much, to all of you, for your support! Yeah, I've always been a positive outlook kinda gal - life if way more pleasant when you assume a "best case scenario" mentality!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Lauren

SuzyQ66 · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 6:33 pm Post subject:

Lauren - so glad you are okay. I hope you have a speedy recovery.

lauradr · Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 5:00 am Post subject:

Lauren, I just read this I'm so glade your OK--Stay away from the Tylanol OK----LOL

Lauren · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:17 am Post subject:

It's amazing how affected I've been by my inability to exercise since last Monday's accident. I've been able to walk (not quickly), but I am not able or allowed to do any additional exercising, except for the stretching exercises the rehab guy gives me. I have felt lethargic, cranky, frustrated, and truth be told - FAT. The feeling fat thing is twofold: first, just not being active and moving for 10 days in comparison to the running I was doing almost daily, has just left me feeling like a sloth which makes me feel big. But the second issue is that I am incapable (physically) of sucking in my tummy or tightening my abdomen, because it uses back muscles which are not currently able to be used, so I feel I have a perpetually distended belly, which sucks. I feel more self-conscious in my tight fitted clothing, because I can't stand up nice and tall with my shoulders back and my stomache tucked in.

Anyway, last night I had another rehab/PT appt, and I was told prior to it that if I felt up to it, and wasn't in too much pain, he'd *consider* letting me get on the recumbent bike for a short time. I was so excited! Fortunately I was indeed feeling up to it, and he put me on for 5 minutes, and it was GREAT! He laughed and said he'd leave me alone for those 5 minutes because he could tell I would cherish the time! :-) I feel sore today (as expected), but so good.

Here's what I figured out and learned: all the exercising and running that I've been doing for these last months hasn't just toned my body, it's toned my ego and self-esteem. It doesn't just make me look good, it makes me FEEL good about myself, and I take tremendous pride in being this athletic/active woman. I want to shout it from the rooftops that I am a runner, that I make a conscious choice to do this thing that I never thought I could do, and that so many people can't or won't do. This exercising and running is so clearly attached to my ego, that these last days without it have left me bruised, emotionally, even more than physically.

Anyway, I am on the mend, and I see improvements every day, and I know that a good run is just around the corner. In the meantime, I will cherish my 5 minutes or more on a recumbent bike, as if it were a marathon!

Sorry for the dissertation!

Lauren

nickieluv · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:25 am Post subject:

Lauren, that's a great realization for you, and a great wake-up to all of us who really are sloths and can't stand to even walk let alone run! (OK, so maybe that's just me, I shouldn't speak for others.)

It's ironic that I read this at my desk, after deciding I wasn't in the mood for my lunchtime walk today. And now I'm out of time for it! Thank you for giving me more reasons to exercise besides 'I should.'

DonicaB · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:29 am Post subject:

Lauren~ I'm glad to hear you are on the mend. I can't imagine how this has taken you out of your comfort zone. Hang in there and allow your body time to heal properly. You will get back to your normal routine soon enough.

Take care,

DonicaB

DogMa · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:31 am Post subject:

Lauren, I'm so sorry you're going through this. I know I felt awful when I stopped running (or even really walking) for a few weeks. Is there anything else you can do? Swim, maybe? If not, then just try to relax and I'm sure you'll be back in action as soon as you're able.

And you're still a runner, even if you aren't able to run at the moment.

Lauren · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 11:47 am Post subject:

Thanks so much, ladies, for your support!

Nickieluv, you'll get there. First you have to force yourself, but then out of nowhere, one day, you'll actually crave it, I promise! It won't always be the case, and I can't even say I felt like dragging my sorry butt out of bed to run in the morning, but most days you'll really want it, and you'll miss the endorphins!

Thanks, Donica, for your kind words. And you hit it on the head - I am total type A control freak and this whole thing has been out of my comfort zone. That's definitely a part of the problem! If I "chose" to not exercise for a week, it'd be fine (well, not good, but you know what I mean), but since this wasn't by choice, I'm frustrated and off-kilter!

Robin, thank you so much for calling me a runner, still! God, I sound like such a dork, but that totally meant something to me! I can't swim or anything like that because it involves a great deal of arm movement, and the arms going over head is part of the problem. That's another reason why I can walk but not run, because we swing our arms and shoulders when we run, and my injury is back and shoulder. Alas, it will come...

Thanks again, folks, your support is much appreciated!

lauren

DogMa · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 1:39 pm Post subject:

I totally understand. I'm still trying to convince myself that I'm a runner and an athlete, but it's SO important that I be those things. I've seen a fat person run, but I don't think I've ever seen a fat RUNNER.

Tawanda · Preferred Member 60# Club Joined: 07 Feb 2007 Posts: 2919

Lauren, I was thinking of you and hoping you'd pop in with an update. If you hadn't, I was going to find this thread and bump it up, asking for an update.

I'm so sorry that you are still experiencing so much discomfort and pain. I do believe that your weight loss and exercising must have aided in keeping you from being injured so much worse than you were. I also believe that a true athlete will chomp at the bit and miss their exercising & activity level an awful lot when something happens to disrupt their ability to do what they wish to do.

YOU are an athlete. YOU are a fit person. YOU will, once again, be active as you wish to be, as soon as your body heals from this injury.

I hope it is soon so that you'll be back to feeling great and enjoying yourself.

My best to you!

bdg · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 7:04 pm Post subject:

lauren, it is great to hear that you are on the mend and doing well. You can credit the rapid improvement that you have made to your fitness level and running! Your athleticism has helped you. I look forward to your updates on your progress and hope that it continues at such a pace.

dede4wd · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 7:37 pm Post subject: Hi

Lauren,

I'm SO GLAD you're okay. I know what you mean about weight popping into your head at the weirdest times.

Rest up, get better! Hope you have cute PT people!

DeDe