Update status on no-running.

Yup, no-running is in the plan for a long haul...Thanks to Michelle who threw the idea of stress fracture, which I guess I dismissed subconsciously. So I called Gail as soon as I read that comment (Gail had a hip stress fracture a few years back) and she told me to do a "hop-test" (hop on one leg). That sent me to crippling, and the pain lingered for a long time. Well, this explains worst running on downhills, doesn't it? So I then called Tom R. and asked for an MRI, knowing that my doctor is overbooked and I only was able to get an appointment for October 22nd. Tom is a good friend, and we squeezed a test between my busy over scheduled plans. He didn't see the obvious signs of stress fracture, although the books, science literature and later my doctor all say that it is possible to not see it even on MRI. Tom promised to ask his radiologist to read the film, and I was able to get on the phone with my sport medicine doctor (the one overbooked) for a chat. Besides stress fracture that he still thinks is 80% possible (by pain description and that very hop test that I keep trying out of denial), MRI found obvious labrum tear that I was diagnosed with in February of 2007 (and had it get worse during first 3 miles of Zane Grey that year). Coincidently, my doc searched my records and found same diagnosis, and told me that it is very likely I have complication of femur acetabular impingement. Either way, whether or not it went "south", the call for surgery made last year is now openly shouted. We will do more tests (when he can squeeze me in, he is also going away for vacation) and make a decision at the end of October. For now it is a clear order - no running, no weight bearing cardio. Perfect! And I mean it in sarcastic way. Oh, don't you worry. I am still going to Grand Canyon on October 18th, hell or high water! Of course, I am not a complete idiot (just a little bit), so R2R2R is out of question, but I can hike one way down and back, and even if I will be bound to sit on the ridge and watch my friends to have fun - I'll be there! After all, it IS my birthday run, along with a few other's birthdays! Wasatch Teammates decided to get together for everybody who was born in October, and we invite ALL OF YOU to come join us in celebration! There is no reason to cry, it's all good:) And besides, it still all might be just guesses, and I am totally fine, right?

So, what do I do now? Here: Stairmaster 3xweek for 45min, weights 2x30min, walking uphill treadmill 1x30min, 1 power yoga class, 1 Bikram class, 1 hike on the weekend - that's all I can fit around work, especially since depending on bus schedule to get there and home and Stephen's schedule and massage school classes 2xweek. Running for for certain easier to do - lunch, early morning and on the way back home. Gym is 20 min away, and I need to drive there and then back to pick a bus to work. Ronda was awesome, as always, and offered her diet plan for loosing fat. Reminds me Atkin's. No carbs? Not even normal fruits? But boy, do I need it more than ever. Let me tell you, I put on 9 of those 15 lbs I dropped back in the spring - back! Looking nice and fat now:) Well, I am not too obsessed but definitely worried about getting anymore extra, I wouldn't be able to fit in my clothes and can't afford to buy any new ones:)

That's it for whining, and I hope you got the idea that I am somewhat OK with all this. I mean, I am ticked off it happened, since I can't even blame myself for overtraining or anything like that, but getting mad is not going to heal me, is it?

Larry came to visit, and it was a highlight for the weekend. He helped me get through and over the hump of realization of my injury being more serious than I was trying to make myself believe, and to accept it. We spun around with chores and fun stuff like crazy, and I am sure he'll write a much more detailed report in a day or two, but in short and exciting news - I introduced him to Ashtanga Power Yoga and Bikram yoga (which both humbled him), made him signed for a road 10k (which I planned to run myself, and BTW, at the time of picking up the numbers I broke to tears as I finally came out of denial - I can't even run a stinky 10K, not because I choose not to, but because I can't! I did help with registration though). Larry ran a great time and placed somewhere like 15th, what I totally predicted and expected (out of some 300). We met Monika and Stan (while holding a PCT50 meeting with ORRC Jeff the VP and Margie the treasurer). We dined with my Russian best friend Anna and her husband Steve. We browsed through Powell's books store. We ran (well, he ran, and I walked) in Forest Park with Gail. We walked in local Tryon Park. We drove to the Oregon shore and played "on the beach that meets the forest at the water line", and then watched the sunset. We took Stephen to soccer game - which his team won handily! We met with Oleg and all shook hands and had a small chat. We took an air tram at my work to look at Portland from up high. We came to work and did some tissue culture. We cooked. We bought Stephen a new computer. We talked. We laughed. And it was all good...









So, to answer Thomas' question - would I want it the other way around? Hell, no! But I do intend to have it all in a near future, good life complimented by running on trails! Trust me, "I'll be back"...(my best Arnie voice)

p.s. pictures are courtesy of Larry since my camera did take shots but refuses to upload them on the computer.