The Midlife Reframe

Category: osteochondritis dissecans

  • Lessons Learned from a Less Than Ideal Race – Canada Day ‘EPIC Canadian’ Edition

    My 10km Epic Canadian Race on Canada Day was Hot and Humid!

    Post Race Me 🙂
    We went into the long weekend here on the East Coast of Canada (Nova Scotia) with some hot and humid weather.  This was my first summer race.  Ever.  My previous 10km races were a while ago.  A Bluenose 10km and a Valley Harvest 10km.  I was a sub 1 hour 10km girl then.  Three years ago for the last one, lol.
    Lesson #1:  Keep on hydrating the night before, even if you think you are adequately hydrated and keep an eye on the weather.
    I woke up a little late on Friday, had my usual coffee and oatmeal and got dressed.  The meal was a little later than I would have liked, but I needed food.
    Lesson #2:  Stick to your alarm and get up on time to make sure you eat long enough beforehand.  Also, drink more water.
    I met up with some friends after hanging around the post party area for awhile.  We chatted and then it was time to head up to the start line.  I was feeling the heat and my body was sore from increasing my weights at the gym.  We hopped in close to the front and soon we were off!
    Lesson #3:  No matter how excited and pumped you may feel.  STOP STARTING FAST!  For some reason, at at least one race, I forget this lesson and start out faster than I should.
    I ran with a RunAtCan Twitter bud and did 10 and 1s with her up until 4kms.  Then I was not feeling so great.  With the heat, the late breakfast, and going out fast, it was a recipe for nauseous stomach.

    Lesson #4:  Always have 3 “goal times”.  One for an ideal day.  One for an okay day.  One for a “Oh My God I May Not Make It Through This Day Alive” day. 

    At 4kms with my stomach wanting to empty its contents, I knew I was not going to pull out a good time.  It became an “Oh My God I May Not Make It Through This Day Alive”  goal time day.  I took water at every water stop after that.  Some for me, some over my neck.  I had electrolytes in my water belt (Nuun).
    Lesson #5:  All races teach us a lesson.  Good and bad.  Embrace the run and if you can, finish strong.
    I got a little of my mojo back in Shubie Park and felt okay.  Hit the turnaround (with some tunes being played on the race route) and started back downhill.
    Cruising along and hit 7kms.
    Bottom of the hill.
    PAIN IN MY CALF.  Similar to the pain during my training run for the Bluenose Half.    I was pretty close to crying.  For real.
    I stopped for a minute.  Walked.  Ran a bit.  Walked.  Ran a bit.
    Chugged along in the gross hot and humid conditions.  Water and Nuun when I needed it.
    I sucked it up after my freezie fix about 500m (give or take) out from the finish and ran to the Finish Line.
    My chip time was 1:08.  Two minutes less than my last goal time.  And really, not a bad finish at all considering the conditions.  But I will admit, in that moment, I was so upset that I did not finish in under an hour.
    Final Lesson:  STOP BEATING YOURSELF UP.  (For me:  Remember that your surgeon told you to run and enjoy it.  You are NOT going to pull out a fast pace like you used to do with the OCD in the knee.)  Run because you love to run.
    So,  I am back to my physio exercises for my calf.  Will continue to do my gym workouts.   Back to yoga classes at the gym (I need a teacher to guide my form).  Keep my weight training going and ease up on myself.  Do some nice easy runs once the calf is happy and enjoy the ride until the next race in September 🙂
    What lessons have you taken away from your bad race??
     

  • Knee Surgery, Back Spasms and Post Surgery Fun!

    There will be some knee photos…you’ve been warned….

    On Wednesday, I had my knee surgery.

    I got up as usual, and my first thought was “Okay, I’ll go down and feed the cats, then…..”

    That pause.  That was when I realized I wasn’t able to eat OR drink anything.

    *Le Sigh*

    I sat with V while she got ready to head off to school.  I watched some TV and fell asleep.  This was a good thing.  It took my mind off of no food/no drink, lol.

    11:30 – the Calvary arrived to take me to the hospital.  This included my buddy Squishington (my 3 year old niece). 

    We arrived at the Dartmouth General Hospital shortly after noon.  Was I nervous?  HELL YES!! 

    This is a “non-winter” pic, lol.


    The weather here has been horrendous, which means the parking lot was a skating rink.  My sister-in-law advised that if I was going to fall, that was the time, because we already at a hospital, faster service.  LOL

    Squishington made friends in the waiting room while I got registered.  She delivered newspapers to everyone in sitting. 

    We were then shuffled down to the day surgery unit.

    I was sent “around the corner” where I sat with other day surgery peeps.  Some of the folks were there for gall bladder removal.  They were the ones in the cool purple johnny shirts and funky purple socks.

    Meanwhile I was taken to put on the regulatory blue johnny shirt with green housecoat (sex-ay) and fabbie blue slip ons for my feet (no socks allowed)

    And there we sat, a hungry and thirsty group of people, cursing everyone who came and filled their water bottle in front of us.

    And then, I heard my name 🙂

    I was taken to the pre-surgery area where the lovely RN took my all my vitals and info.  She talked about what would be going on before I was wheeled away.

    Then, she left me 😦   So I laid down and chilled.

    Little did I know, on the other side of the curtain was recovery for…..Colonoscopy.  Yep.  Fart-o-rama.

    Now, these poor people are really not THAT aware that they are letting ‘er rip as much as they are.  And because I am a kid at heart, it was so hard not to laugh.

    On the other side of me – man who kept saying “OMG I am so hungry”.  Uh duh.  We all are you doofus.

    At long last…

    The anaesthesiologist came and explained what she was going to do to put me to sleep.  About the tube that would be going down my throat once I was asleep to assist with my breathing.

    The RN came, went over all my details again, and off we walked to the Operating Room!

    It was a cornucopia of women.  I think Dr. Legay was the only man in the operating room 😉  Poor guy, lol.

    And then, I woke up!

    It was like magic!

    And boy did I ever want a cheeseburger.  Not the woman beside me though…eeeep.

    Clothes on, Ginger Ale consumed, let’s blow this popsicle stand!  MILKSHAKE!

    Once all of my vitals were good, I was taken to step down where I had some ginger ale (holy moly it tasted delicious) and my vitals were taken again.  The nurse came and gave me my directions and follow up information.

    Drink of the Gods…Chocolate Milkshake 🙂

    My clothes were returned to me and I was able to get dressed so I could be wheeled out to the waiting car 🙂

    On the way home, my post surgery milkshake was obtained and it was like heaven in my mouth.  For real.

    I was plumped on the couch on arrival all snuggled up and had a small turkey wrap to go with my Heaven Drink.

    But really, dry crackers would have tasted decadent at this point!

     

    SO, what are the details?

    Post Op Diagnosis: Loose Body – Osteochondritis Dessicans
                              Early Arthritis medial compartment only

    Procedure: Excision Loose Body (2cm )
                    Debridement

    This is a much better outcome that what was anticipated.  There was the possibility of pins, which would have had a much longer recovery outlook.  But since the whole chunk came out, no pins.

    All cleaned up!

    “You will be a candidate for high tibial osteotomy….”

    Gulp.

    What was that?

    More knee surgery in the future.  This should delay knee replacement in my “later years”

    To top it all off, I’ve had very very painful lower back spasms since Saturday.  Today is the first day I have been able to get to and from the washroom on my own (well, with a walker).  Now I can feel my knee pain, lol.

    So I am getting ready to set up physio appointments and looking forward to a slow return to running 🙂

    Now that I can move around, I will be able to do my review on Manitoba Hemp Hearts!  This will also be giveaway time!

    Stay tuned 🙂 

    #crazymamaruns


     

     

  • Knee Surgery BABY!!!!!

    Yes, I Have a Surgery Date!

    Relief is in sight!!  Happy Dance all around!

    When I arrived home last evening after getting the new hairs (check out my FaceBook Page for pics!) I checked my voicemail.

    *Insert Angelic Music Here*

    There was a message from the Surgeon’s Assistant telling me off I go for surgery on February 18th.

    Happy is just one word I can use.  Nervous and excited for sure!  All depending on what the CT Scan shows and what he sees when he gets in there – there MAY be a bone graft for my femur.  Crossing my fingers that this is not the case and he can just screw the hangy piece back in and work on the dead fractured area.

    What does this mean?

    Well, we are looking at a 6-8 week recovery where I can not have any weight on my leg AT ALL (unless I am doing well, and may be able to put weight on my toes after a few weeks).  Then physio and check ups.  Not sure of the full recovery time yet, but it would be wonderful to run in the late summer early fall.  Just recreational at first, but man, I CAN’T WAIT!!!!!

    So NOW

    I begin my crazy Virgo induced worrying and preparing for the worst, lol.  My V and I will get the apartment in order (two level two bedroom = stairs) so I will be able to survive the first little bit without moving too much.

    And then meal planning and prepping after that.  V will be able to help out big time since she’s 16, but to have simple, fast things to pull out and heat up would be great, and some slow cooker stuff frozen so she can dump it in before she heads to school.

    All that being said, I know I have some great resources at my hands – YOU!

    • What are some quick and easy freezer meals?
    • Any sites you would recommend for easy recipies?
    • Any injury experiences you would like to share?

    Feel free to comment below – I love getting feedback!

    #crazymamaruns

     

  • And I am CLOSER to my Surgery!

    I never thought this day would come!

    This April will have been one full year since my slip in the Dominican and this journey began!

    What started out as a possible meniscus tear was discovered to be an actual joint condition that I’ve had since I was a teenager!

    Osteochondritis Dissecans

    So, since the knee has been getting progressively worse over the past couple of weeks, I went back into the surgeon last Friday.
     
    He asked me some questions about my activity (“You’re doing no sports….RIGHT?”) and manipulated my knee.

    We discussed the options:  If the piece that was still in there hanging on was still, in fact, hanging on, there will be a screw put through that to save it and stimulate healing.  

    As for the piece(s) still floating around, they will be removed.  All depending on whether or not the CarGel is available, there will probably be some microfracturing as to regenerate the bone and cartilage.

    IF the piece hanging on for dear life is NOT able to be screwed in – the words “bone graft” were spoken.

    FUN TIMES!

    So I sit now and wait for the phone call to come this week telling me my actual surgery date.

    I am in good hands, but, I am nervous, excited and vomit-like all at the same time.

    And then I remember, in the not too distant future, I CAN RUN!

    Stay tuned for further updates in the Knee Chronicles!

    #crazymamaruns

  • Christmas Vacation Check In

    Okay, Are You Ready??

     I will do a pic post today 😉

    Christmas Eve – Spotted Christmas Car
    Candied Bacon on my cupcake after Turkey Dinner #3
    Christmas Day – My “Greg” was good to me! xo
    Christmas Day with Auntie – Turkey Dinner #4
    I now scare my kitties with my Yeti Feet I got for Christmas 🙂

    I logged 13,800 steps yesterday with my FitBit Flex, and I am loving it!  Not being able to run until surgery in the New Year had me bummed, but my FitBit has movitated me to kick butt!

    I hope you are enjoying your Christmas! And yes, I am totally doing a FitBit Blog Post in the near future!!!

    #crazymamaruns

  • Year End Round Up!

    Well, we’re almost there.

    The end of another year.  Sitting back and reflecting on what has gone by and what we will be working towards in 2015.

    Getting close to Christmas always make me reflect and think about the time I get to spend with my family and friends.  They have supported me through so much over the past while and I love them so much.  I am looking forward to spending some much deserved time with them over the holidays 🙂

    Over the past year I have noticed so much.  I am beginning to think it’s because I am over 40 now, lol.

    So, what’s going on with me fitness wise?

    With my surgery date up in the air, it is hard for me to forge ahead with races and registrations, as it could be late 2015 before I am able to run again.

    A lot of my time has been moving towards yoga with light cardio and starting back up with weight training.  Keeping up with my fitness will ensure a better recovery after surgery.

    What have I been thinking about?

    Having a mental illness has made me sit down and think of the ways I can cope better now that the “dark times” have descended on us weather wise, and to use those skills throughout the year.  Fitness has always served me well, and this year I have added steady meditation to the mix.  This has certainly helped, but I still need to realize that I will have bad days and not beat myself up over them.  There will be days I will just want to live in my nest, and that’s okay.

    A big “thing” for me is sleep.  Sleep is very important.  For both physical and mental health.  I have been tracking my sleep for the past 16 weeks. My average sleep efficiency has been 93% over those past weeks.  I am finding this a great tool.

      

    Last night wasn’t super – but yay deep sleep!


    And hey, thanks for coming along with me so far!!

    Starting this blog has been an adventure and something I am very proud of.  (With the craziness and chaos of life, I am able to say that I now learned that writing and scheduling my posts are the way to go!!)  I have “met” some fantastic people and looking forward to what the New Year brings for myself and for the blog 🙂 

    You knew there had to be a badass drawing! 😉

    What’s on for 2015?

    As I look ahead, I am hoping to share more with you about my journey with surgery, recovery and my plans to become a Certified Yoga Teacher in 2016!  Adding yoga to my fitness regime has been a blessing.  It has allowed me to slow down, learn to breathe, and brought some peace to my hectic life.  To share this with others would be awesome.

    I will still be me….you won’t see anything different here on the blog, other than some cooooooool super awesome pics like THIS!

    I look awesome-er in X-Ray vision!!

    So.

    To sign off for my last MAJOR blog post of 2014 (because there will be the small random super fun holiday posts!) I wish everyone the most happiest of the Season.  Spend time with those you love.  Hug them.  Enjoy them 🙂


     #crazymamaruns


  • What I thought of the 30 Day Yoga Challenge!

    Kickin it with Erin Motz!

    So now that I have some time to breathe and reflect, here it is!

    When I was told not to run until my surgery, I was feeling kind of down.  I  knew I had to keep moving somehow!

    I hopped on the interwebs and searched diligently.

    It was then that I saw Erin Motz’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge.  It said “Hey, pick me!”

    Every morning I would roll out of my bed and fling out my mat.  Erin was happy and real.

    Because I have an injury, I had to modify my poses.  I picked a nice spot in my bedroom where I had access to furniture and walls in case I fell over during my knee “give out” moments.

    I was pleasantly surprised about how sweaty I was at the end of each session 🙂

    These are not super long sessions, which is another bonus.  It allowed me to get my yoga in before getting ready to start my day.  If I really enjoyed the session, I would sometimes do it again at night.  Because YOGA.

    One of the things I really enjoyed were the restorative days.  As in the photo above, there were days set aside for muscles we all forget about.  The wrists and hands are important!

    I also enjoyed the days focused on the lower backs and hip openers.  As a runner, these days were awesome!!

    I can say that there are many moves that I was not able to do, and wish there had of been a sidebar for a slow progression into Crow Pose or a Headstand.

    At the end

    All in all, I really enjoyed this challenge!  Would definitely recommend for anyone who has been doing some yoga 🙂

    Has anyone else done this challenge?  What did you think?  Any others you would like to share?

    #crazymamaruns
     

  • Back to the GYM!!!

    I know, Super Pumped RIGHT???


    Don’t get me wrong.  I’ve actually been to gym before.  Worked in one even.  Trained people too 😉

    This is a nice small gym at my workplace (big bonus points – it’s RIGHT THERE) and I know the guy who runs it very well.  I always feel welcome and he knows that I was a trainer in the past.  So he lets me do my thing and we chat about my injury and what I am thinking of doing in the future with my fitness.  It’s nice and chill.

    There is only one other gym I would frequent in the HRM – and that is 360 Fit

    Devin and the gang at 360 Fit are wicked awesome.  If they were closer to me in Halifax, I would be kickin’ it there 😉  But  they’re in Burnside…and it would take me forever to get there at lunch.  If you are over the bridge and are looking for some killer bootcamps and trainers…GO TO THIS GYM!

    As I sit here typing, my legs are nice and sore (legs on the elliptical day yesterday).  I chose the elliptical because cardio…and it gave me something to hold onto while I worked the legs.  I am not a “bouncer” on the elliptical.  I want to work my muscles, not jiggle my junk…lol.  It felt great and I am once again hooked!

    I went for a walk with my friend T today on the waterfront, and we climbed the Danger Wave 😉  

    Danger Wave….beware



    Tomorrow is yoga at the gym , which is good because these legs need a good stretch and my inner peace needs some major peace (and there is a nice spot for me to hang where I can keep my balance, not fall over and hurt others!).  This is also in addition to my yoga challenge – Day 29 tomorrow!!!!

    I do miss my hot yoga….maybe after surgery, and recovery, and physio….

    So, stay tuned for some workouts and gym selfies!  Woooooo!

    And Christmas stuff…because it’s December, and I love Christmas!!

    But my next post is my review of my 30 Day Yoga Challenge.

    #crazymamaruns

     

  • Getting Close to the End – 30 Day Yoga Challenge!

    Today was Day 22 – Restorative Yoga

    What I love about this challenge is that Erin throws in restorative days.  These are days with nice, slow stretches that feel sooooooooooo goooooooooooood.

    Another thing I love about this challenge, is that it has opened me up to so many poses.  I get excited for the next email to pop into to see what I am doing the next day!

    What I can offer as advice is this:  If you are not comfortable with any pose – do not feel like you have to do it.  A big part of any physical activity is listening to your body.  

    Runners are guilty of ignoring certain tweaks 😉  But – since I can’t ignore my tweak, it reminds me that I really SHOULD listen to anything that doesn’t feel right.

    Any runners out there as stubborn as me?  Does anyone else have a weirdo knee issue?  Floating cartilage?  lol

    (What did she do with the Coconut Butter??)

     

    This is the coconut butter I won at yoga 🙂

    WELL, this past week has been crazy busy at work and at home.

    I have been using it in smoothies.  Let me tell you – it is the BOMB!  Of course, it helps if you love coconut, which I do.  A lot.  I am searching recipes for fudge (yum) using coconut butter, so I may be doing some fun food stuff on the weekend.  Already planning for apple butter 🙂  

    If anyone has a great easy recipe for slow cooker apple butter, please let me know!

    So, what’s coming up in the next little while?  THE GYM.  You’ll be seeing some gym blog posts in the near future…and look out for my gym selfies 😉

    Until next time my interweb peeps!

    #crazymamaruns


     

  • It’s Almost Here.

    My date with the surgeon.

    And I have my nervous face on.

    I mean, I pretty much have a good idea about what is going to happen.  It’s just hearing him say it, and I can ask detailed questions about recovery.

    I’ll be fine going into surgery.  I just know it won’t be pretty when I am done.

    So, as of tomorrow it’s one week.  Let the finger chewing….BEGIN!

    It was turkey weekend here.

    Canadian Thanksgiving.  Food, Family and what we are all thankful for…..TURKEY!  I had my share, both Sunday and the holiday Monday.  Some say our Thanksgiving coincides with the start of hockey season….and that is why we celebrate in October, lol.  Who am I to debate THAT!

    Today was my turkey hangover.  It involved A LOT of coffee and water.  Bad combo for my Tuesday-Monday.

    What’s on my mind now??

    Races.  When can I run them?  Will I ever do a full marathon? I have so many races that I want to do.  I’ll have to sit down and make a plan once I have full details of surgery and recovery.

    So I am continuing with my yoga practice at home.  I will be volunteering the first weekend of November at the Lucky 7 Relay here in Haliwood, NS, and getting some runs in where I can.  (As long as my knee behaves!)

    I was lucky on my Sunday run to tweak my stride a little and lead with my hips.  What a big difference that made!  I am learning more and more about my body and it’s mechanics as the years go by.  It is definitely an adventure, especially getting older and having injuries 😉

     

    So, what does everyone do during their downtime?  Do you cross train more? Lift? Cycle? Swim?

    I’d love to hear from you out there.  Drop me a comment!