Day of Rest

Happy Wednesday! It's mid-week and I am already beat. I'm not sure why exactly. I've noticed ever since I had to stop training, my sleeping patterns are different. I don't feel like I sleep nearly as deep or as soundly as I used to. I wake up in the morning feeling sluggish and pushing snooze several (yes, several) times before I finally drag myself out of bed. I distinctly remember my high school biology teacher, Mr. RInehart, telling us he knew when he was in really good shape. He said when he woke up in the morning, he was wide awake immediately. Good sleep, ready to go. Mr. Rinehart played football for the Los Angeles Rams, so I figured he had a good take on what "in shape" meant. So, when I wake up in the morning and all I want to do is go back to sleep, I worry about my health a little. When I was in my best shape while training for a half-ironman, it was a lot of work. Thing is, I don't recall being exhausted believe it or not. Sometimes mentally, but not physically. Well... maybe after 6 mos of training, but not the "not wanting to get out of bed" type of tired. I can't wait to get back into shape! I know it will be a long time before I'm in any kind of training shape again, but my goal is for the feel-comfortable-in-my own-skin type of shape. I joined the fitness center at UCSF - Mission Bay, near my work. They have two, yes TWO pools! An indoor and rooftop (yeah, outdoors) pool. I am hoping I can start to break up my work day with a visit to the gym at least a few times a week.

So, today I was just tired. I was trying all day to get myself prepared to see my friends Lisa and Seth and their new baby Laurel after work. I ended up having late work meetings and just felt mentally tired. I know, I flaked. I'm sorry Lis! Don't worry, it wasn't just work. I still love my job. I simply had one of those days that was meeting after meeting and I needed some down time tonight. I'm REALLY hoping to see the Socolows this weekend.

It's been a busy week already. Yesterday, I had the typical day at work, then went right to physical therapy and finally to my church Community Group (CG = small bible study) at 7:30 PM. It was great, but I didn't get home until 10:20 PM. I saw Susan, my PT. I hadn't seen her for a few weeks since I was not able to fit into her schedule. Susan said she thought the swelling had subsided in my knee since she had last seen me. Great! Although I haven't been doing anything to really *test* it lately. I told my CG about my knee injury and surgery. I mentioned how a few years ago I was more or less obsessed with training for races. I've recognized that maybe there was a reason my knee injury happened and interestingly enough -- needed to happen to me. Balance is important in life. The leader of our CG Katie looked up towards the ceiling and said, "God, she "get's it," she knows she needs to balance her life better. Now, heal her knee!" Well put. Katie made me smile.

Welcome to Fall!

Hello! How is everyone this weekend? Good, I hope. I'm doing well this rainy weekend in San Francisco. My knee is feeling better and I'm still learning more about it as it heals. I need to keep it moving and stretched out to allow it to progress and heal. The less I do, the more stiff and uncomfortable my knee can become. Jennifer from Presidio Sport & Medicine said I can get back on my trainer. I need to start only spinning 10 minutes and increase from there. Granny gear, low cadence. Got it. Jennifer also mentioned it will take 6 months to a year to fully heal from the surgery. Sigh. Alright. I've started asking, "When can I run?" Yes, there is a whiny tone in my voice each time I ask. My physical therapists just smile and don't answer that question. Fine, I'll be patient. The first time I finally lace up my sneakers and go for a run, I will probably run with tears streaming down my face. I'll be so happy. : )

Long Week

This was a REALLY long week. I can't believe the weekend is almost over and it's almost time to start yet another full week. Can we add some more long weekends to those national holidays? Please? I have to admit, I was really bad about my physical therapy this week. I went to my PT appointment last Monday and haven't done one of my exercises since. I guess I needed a break. Tomorrow, I'm going to try to hit the pool again. My knee has been feeling alright, pretty much the usual bit of swelling and an ache or two. I'm just waiting for the moment my knee seems like it's actually progressing towards healing. These days it seems to be in the middle. It's past the acute phase after the surgery, but it hasn't progressed to being better than it was before I had the surgery. Kind of a "plateau" of sorts.

Other than the usual knee stuff, I don't have much exciting news to report personally. I went to Minneapolis again this week for work. It was a busy two days of printing and following up on a special window cling request at the Mall of America Old Navy store. Also, I was finally able to have dinner with my cousin Wendy who lives in Minneapolis with her husband Bill. My press check schedules do not always allow for normal dinner times, but I was glad to be able to meet Wendy for a wonderful meal at a restaurant close to her home. It was great to catch up with her.

Back to the Pool

I've been relegated to swimming for a while. Swimming is one of those workouts I don't look forward to. At the same time, once I am finally in the water, I am really glad to be there. Swimming is one of the best exercises you can do. It improves your cardio and is high on the scale of resistance training. Pulling yourself through the water creates resistance. Good for the heart and muscle/bone.

My PT, Susan, said I should step back to swimming for a few weeks before I try cycling again. OK... fine. She said to mostly swim using the pull buoy (little foam thing you place between your legs so your legs float and don't kick) and no kickboard. She wants me swimming to get my heart rate up, but not doing too much with my knees. I'm going to try to drop in on lap swim at the Presidio YMCA today. Hopefully, I won't have to share a lane with someone that is frustrated with my slow workout. I'll stay in the "slow swim" lane if they have one.

In Other News

I'm trying to take it easy today. Other than grocery shopping, I'm laying low at home. I'm icing my knee and trying to stay off my feet. It's a good time to watch college football and do some reading. I also realized that last week I didn't post a photo with some great news! My friends Lisa and Seth welcomed their little girl Laurel into the world on August 24, 2007. Here is a photo of the happy family. Congratulations!