TNT Week 7

This week's team run was great! 10 miles at Green Lakes State Park and also on the Erie Canal trail. I wore shorts and a t-shirt despite it being a little chilly. The hills were the only things keeping me from running the entire way, but I think that was pretty much the case for everyone. If there's one thing we're prepared for, it's hills. My legs and feet felt great, too. I'm finally feeling good that the surgery actually worked. lol...

Dr. Appointment Update

So yesterday I went to see Dr. Battaglia. He seemed really pleased with my progress, and admitted he wasn't 100% positive on his diagnosis. Not the most comforting thing to hear, but I suppose it's difficult to diagnose the human body sometimes. lol... I guess he gets the benefit of the doubt. I have one more appointment with him shortly after the Mountain Goat. He's primarily curious as to how I do from here on out.

As far as how I feel, I've been feeling great! My last long hard run was on Tuesday, and I did 5 miles. Really pushed myself. After about 4 miles my toes got a little tingly, but it went away after about 4.5 miles. It really is a HUGE improvement.

The insides of my lower calves are still a little desensitized. I have feeling, but it's a numb feeling. I've noticed a big difference in improvement, though. Dr. Battaglia said that nerves generally regenerate at the rate of 1mm per day. At that rate, I should be fully recovered in about a year. lol... In the meantime, it really doesn't bother me, though.

Also, I'm going to PT once a week now. My therapist told me that I really don't have much time left there. Dr. Battaglia doesn't really see much of a reason for me to keep going. I may go for a few more weeks then call it quits.

All in all, I'm glad I got the surgery. Tomorrow will be 5 months post-op, and I can already tell I'm a better runner than I was before. I'd say I'm about 85% healed.

Tipperary Hill Shamrock Run

Yesterday was our week 5 training run, and our first race as a team. We all met up at our teammate's apartment on Tipp Hill, down the street from the infamous upside-down traffic light. We couldn't have asked for better March weather for the race. I think it was probably mid-30's and sunny, little wind. The hills were great, and the PT I've been going through has helped a lot. I do a lot of strength training, not only in my calves and feet, but in my thighs, hamstring, and glutes as well, which has been great for the hills. My chip time was 43:12, a 10:48 pace. This was up 5:10 from last year.

A few days ago, I was talking with my PT about moving down to once a week and he was all for it. Even said I'd probably be done in a few weeks. Yesterday's run was quite encouraging because I felt very little tingle in my right foot and I pushed myself pretty hard.

After the race, met up with most of the team again at the apartment, then met up with other friends down at Nibsy's. Got a bite to eat before heading up to watch the SU game with even more peeps.

Now it's time to figure out how I'm going to go get my car up on the hill. lol...