10 weeks, 8 PT sessions, 4 doctor appointments, $360 in co-pays (GASP! Had NOT added THAT all together until just now). And finally, finally, I got official clearance to run again. If you could call it official. Dr. Ortho had instructed me to call him the week of Christmas to talk about how things were going at my last appointment. So, guess what I was doing the Monday before Christmas as soon as the switchboard opened?
Of course, first I had to leave a message. And then, the nurse called me back. And then, I explained why I was calling. And then, she said she'd get back to me. And then, FINALLY, Dr. Ortho - in the flesh - called me back. And asked me why I was calling him. Good grief.
"Ummm, well, because you told me to?" I stammered.
After he jogged his memory (read: I repeated everything I told his nurse a few hours earlier), we talked for a few minutes and he said that I could start up the running, but to do it slowly...in the form of intervals.
So, yesterday morning, I "hopped" out of bed at 5 am to get ready to start my 5th time back in the saddle. It's a good thing that I'm still giddy from being able to run again so I don't worry about things like....temperature. It was 17 degrees when I woke up. As I stretched my legs out, I watched the weather man on TV tell me it actually felt like 14 degrees with the gentle breeze. I guess I should be thankful that it wasn't gusty.
One must dress VERY carefully for running in 14 degree temperatures. I started with my feet...running with cold feet to me is like running barefoot across needles. I slipped 2 pairs of socks on, followed by my new kicks. Next for the legs. I dug through a drawer and managed to locate a complete pair of "cuddle duds" that my mom had bought me years ago and had probably been worn once to a late November football game. I pulled the pants on. Next, I wiggled my way into my running tights, fighting tooth and nail to keep the cuddle duds from wrinkling. It was a major FAIL...probably because the cuddle duds were looser than the tights. But my legs were starting to sweat, so I figured I'd get over the wrinkles. I pulled the cuddle dud shirt, a winter running shirt and a thick fleece over my head, followed by gloves on my hands. Finally, I put on my ear warmers, a thick hat and wrapped a scarf around my neck. I barely got my watch on top of all of my layers and stood up to walk to the door. I was like Ralphie's brother in running gear. I wondered how it would even be physically possible to run since standing up proved to be near impossible.
I went outside to test out my "gear". I was relieved to feel pretty darn comfortable outside as I looked down the dark street for the only other insane person in the town...my running companion. I was happy to see her drive up and get out of the car wearing a very similar fashion statement. If anyone else had been awake, I may have had them take a picture to capture our ridiculousness for all time.
At first, we huffed along, barely able to talk because our lips were frozen. But, about 15 minutes into it, I had to shed the scarf and hat because I was sweating so much. By the end of the run, my body was warm from the movement and from happiness of being back in the saddle. We bid our goodbyes and I went inside with time to ice my legs and even shower before the troops were scavenging around, in search of breakfast. I started the day refreshed from the early run with an extra, extra large cup of warm coffee in my hand. Activity and normal destruction of my home swirled around me, as I stood in the middle of my kitchen with a goofy smile on my face, marveling in the coziness of it all and the start of a new day. I was in my happy place.
Sure, I may have hit a major wall at 4:00, when the coffee pot had run dry and when everyone was back from school, grumpy and scavenging around again - this time for a harder meal - dinner. The activity and destruction I saw in front of me now was no longer cozy, but appeared to be a conspiracy by my children to create an insurmountable amount of tasks on my to do list.
But, my body will adjust to the early mornings again....and if not, there is always more coffee. I'm always a little tired from the "running around" with four little children. It's nice to be tired from just plain running again.
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