Life Moves Forward When You Are Injured

But it doesn't mean you have to be left behind..........

I'm 5 + weeks post fracture.  I had a great follow up visit with my Orthopedic Dr. last week who told me I'm ahead of schedule in my recovery.  I have bony union and can begin rehabilitating my hip. He gave me some exercises to do and told me I would be fine. "just don't fall off the bike"  Excuse me Dr. but you don't seem to understand I have a problem with that!!  I'm amazed at how much strength you can lose in a short period of time. My upper body has put on size from lifting but I cringe when I see my bird legs in a mirror (I cringed before the accident so you can only imagine what they look like now!)

So my routine since day two of being injured has been swim one day (pull buoy) and lift the other. I'm stepping that routine up a little. I'm happy to report that I'm back with my masters program and today moved back into my old lane.  I'm kicking and pushing off the wall. Today was the 5th time I've swam in the past 7 days including a 2.4 mile open water swim yesterday at Grant Ranch.  Today I signed up for a 5k open water swim race in Chicago on September 9th.  I might as well check one thing off the bucket list this year other than turning 50.

This week was the first week I felt a little down about not racing this year.  Everyone is out racing and seeing results and I'm on the sideline rehabbing...AGAIN.  I've had a few moments of self pity but then I go back to working as hard as I can. There has been one individual at our health club who has told me and a few other people he was looking forward to racing me this year to avenge an earlier loss. He just made the top of my list and I may have to post his picture inside my locker room door!! :) I miss racing and all the positive things that come out of competing.  I'm tired of being the "good supportive guy on the side line".  I want to be the participant again.  So I take each day at a time.  Try to remain upbeat and positive.  I'm reading books when I find myself bored (Highly recommend Unbroken) and working out hard in order to be ready for either the end of this season or next year.

Life isn't stopping because I fractured my hip.  I can either step aside and let life go by or I can step things up and get back in the game.

3.5 Weeks Down

                                    Dinner with Matt/Molly Smith and Brandon and Lauren Barnett.



I'm 3.5 weeks post fracture of my Greater Trochanter and I couldn't be more pleased with my progress.  Although I don't have another Dr. appointment until June 18 I can already tell that I'm healing ahead of schedule. The Dr. tells me that formal PT will be prescribed then but I've already started doing some things with his permission and I feel stronger every day.

Injuries are an opportunity to pay attention to other areas of your life you ignore.  Two days after my accident I was in the weight room, three days back in the pool.  My goal is simply to get stronger and improve my swim fitness. Before anyone writes me, I'm doing everything with Dr.'s permission. 

I gauge progress by how my hip feels today versus one week ago.  I amazed at how much progress I've been able to make.  Yesterday I was able to go up the starts without having to one step with each leg. It wasn't pretty and I don't think I can do that every time I head up the stairs but it is definitely progress.

Since I'm not on a crazy training schedule I have had more time to spend with family and friends and work in my garden.  I took our daughter to Film on the Rocks the other night and saw Office space and have a couple of Rockies games on the schedule for this month.   I also purchased a fly fishing guided tour for my son and I which I hope to be able to use later this summer.

My mind continues to be my greatness tool in my injury.  I truly believe this will not be a long term issue and time and proper rehabilitation will get me back to where I was before I fell.  Thank you to everyone for your positive thoughts and words as they MEAN A LOT TO ME.  God Bless!!