I might be done feeling sorry for myself and my hideous broken foot.

The Expert went to the gym today to put down a swim, and I decided I would go. Instead of sitting in the cafe and moping, I actually decided try to do something. Do what, was the question. Regardless, breaking a sweat required me leaving the crutches at home, and officially brave the boot walking. So I did.

My right foot looks like it belongs to someone else.

I forgot how huge Life Time fitness really is. I looked around, envious at the runners. I landed on the hand cycle machine, and hand-cycled four miles.

I felt weird.

Then I did a wide variety of upper body exercises, like lat pull downs, shoulder presses, deltoids raises, and incline presses.  I found out the things I can do (upper body), but also the leg extensions machine (quads) if I adjust it higher so that the bar hits me around the shins, not the ankle. I could do some abs, but getting off the ground with the boot was a little precarious. 

The best part about the trip to the gym was: 1) the strange looks from people, and 2) the appreciation I gained for my former abilities.  I never appreciated the blessing that is complete mobility. I am sad as all hell that I can’t walk from one end of Life Time to the other without pain and super slowness, but I can tell you… once I am able to run again, I will cherish every stinking horrible workout, from start to finish. I miss it all.

Just waiting for all this cough syrup to come down…

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11 Responses

  1. Meredith, you did well. I would have slunk into a hole and wished to die there.

  2. Sweet "Swellage" on the right ankle….Hey look you made it to the gym, that's more than most people would attempt.

  3. You're SWELL! 🙂

    (too soon???)

    Seriously though, I am so proud of you for getting to the gym! I knew you would do it!! It's just too EASY to continue wallowing at home all the time. And you, my friend, are not one to take the easy route!!

    I'm glad that the gym gave you perspective. I was in a bike vs. pickup accident a few years ago that provided the same for me. I went from training for my first 13.1 to a wheelchair.

    As soon as my collarbone (L) and wrist (R) were healed, I was doing Pilates with a cast and every upper body workout I could muster. As soon as the cast came off, I was in the pool. Mind you, I was not a swimmer at the time!

    You will stay strong. You won't lose all the fitness you had built up. You will come out on the other side better than ever. You will gain mental toughness that others can't buy.

    P.S. I cried at your video. Seriously. Well-done!

  4. Thank you for sharing even the not so good stuff! I love your videos!! Stay strong. You've completed 70.3 miles, and you'll do it again! We'll all be here healing with you!!

  5. You're awesome for going to the gym and working out even though you're in an iron boot! Good for you. I loved that song even though I'd never heard it before. It's got a good point. Keep smiling!

  6. You got a lot done – nice job! 4 miles on the hand cycle, all I have to say is WOW. Did you get to use the elevator? I don't think I have ever seen anyone get on it but this would be the perfect reason.

  7. Thanks you guys… yes, Karen, I got to use the elevator, and I felt awesome doing it. That thing should get some use, afterall. 🙂

  8. So, I haven't been able to read blogs alot lately…how did you break your foot? I'm SO sorry. 🙁 Are you having to postpone your 1/2 Ironman?

  9. You have the same attitude as my girlfriend Sharon. She won a spot at Kona through the lottery last year. 8 weeks before race day a driver opened a door into her while she was riding by on her bike and broke her elbow. She was devastated – for about the same amount of time you were – and then turned it around. She did what she could (no swim for 8 weeks, no run for 6 wks, just one armed bike trainer)……and she showed up at Kona with this big metal brace on her arm….and she hit her IM PR!!!!

    Her theory…..the base training was there. The rest is mental and there is nothing like a "stop you in your tracks" injury to give that mental a crazy workout.

    You are going to do some damage when you are mended, lady. …until then stay sane and smiling!

  10. You still seem very determined even in your condition! That's awesome!

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