Friday, May 22, 2009

Walk Before You Run

It's a simple concept, start out slow and then taper or easy followed by hard but without straining. With running on the brain lately it becomes walk before you can run and since the doctor has forbidden running for at least 4-6 weeks then walking will just have to do.

My 'recovery' is coming along nicely with the staples removed one week ago and now I just need some more time for the wound to fully heal. The nurse says it's being a bit stubborn (just like me) but it will be fine. The main other issue is with the bother of the catheter which needs to stay in for 3 weeks so that the urethra (which was cut) can heal. It doesn't hurt but is a real pain in the butt at times, mostly when trying to sleep and not being able to roll over etc.

Have I been bored with all the free time and not being able to run or exercise? No, at all because there doesn't seem to be enough time in the day to do the things I'd like to do. I've been reading, on the computer a lot, now doing the Twitter thing which is fun, watching TV with hockey and basketball playoffs, and just generally taking it easy and enjoying it. There are also the requisite afternoon naps (would you believe) that I really need because I do tire easily and tend to wear down after mid-day. Nothing like a little 1.5hr 'Power-nap' to fix me up for a long evening of sports playoffs!

As far as the walking thing I started on Monday with 1 mile on the treadmill in 20 minutes (3mph) and have worked up to 2 miles today (Friday) in 37:30 for a total of 7.5 miles thus far. It's a very gentle walking speed, feels great and goes by very quickly while watching the morning news. I'll just keep slowly increasing the time and distance for the next few weeks until I get the clearance to begin some easy running. Can't wait ;-)

Have a great weekend!

10 comments:

Dubs said...

So glad you are on your way back! We are cheering for you!!

The tiring thing and slow pace remind me of my completely incomparable gall bladder surgery. It was just laparoscopic, but it had me taking daily naps, feeling like going to the store was like climbing a mountain and any granny could pass me on my walks around the block. From such a minor surgery in comparison, I just think about what you must hurdle for recovery. I do know that those walks were huge in my recovery. Keep moving, but take it slow. Looking forward for you to be feeling 100% and having a CLEAN bill of health!

gumushel said...

slow and steady my friend :)

Ewen said...

Good to hear the recovery is going well Mike. Keep doing the right thing.

Maybe walk some hills (or steeper treadmill grade) to get the HR up a bit.

Bruce said...

Thanks for sharing about the cancer. Certainly pays to get these things checked out early.
Good to hear the recovery is going well , at this rate I can see another marathon on the horizon.

Garry said...

Great to see you slowly getting back into things. The 6 week sentence will pass before you know it and you will be back pounding the pavement.

Love2Run said...

Thanks all for the kind words and thoughts. The 'recovery' is going really well and my problem will be holding myself back more than anything. 6 weeks will pass in no time at all.

Andrew said...

You're doing great Mike!

DawnB said...

glad to hear you are coming along and doing well

Unknown said...

I'm so glad to hear that your recovery is going well. Make sure to tell the nurse that a stubborn cancer patient is also known as a survivor. Don't stop being stubborn!

Ms. V. said...

Keep it up!!