My PT is a little bored with me

We have still have fun and everything, but apparently I've run the gamut of exercises. I can do everything I'm supposed to do and I'm a little ahead.

I'm totally smiling. I will admit that I go for the gold stars and pats on the head. No shame. I'm so happy that my hard work is paying off.

However, doing some agility drills today (lateral slides, walking lunges, etc.) I was totally winded. I mean, totally. So, good news is I'm damn strong. Bad news is my cardio longevity is not so hot. Jumping my big ol' ass around is not easy.

And PT mentioned running. I told her that if she gets me to run, she's not only a great physical therapist but some sort of demi-god. I don't run. Are you kidding me? I haven't ran since b-ball practice when I was 18. I'll walk my ass off. She's cute. And sweet to think that I could run. But running? Really? Right.

I meet with Britt on Monday for my training schedule. My legs are feeling strong right now, but my core is under worked, for sure. I need to get some dang ab strength back. Her brand of training and pilates makes me feel almost immediately stronger and more stable. I'm looking forward to seeing what she pulls together for me.

B-day and D-day

My birthday yesterday coincided with the season opener for the Rose City Rollers. It was such a great day. I had helped coordinate Fresh Meat (FM) volunteer stuff and the volunteer green room, and I'm happy to say that everything came together and the FM girls just kick ass. What a stellar group. I, and 10 other FM's, got to take stats. Best damn seats in the house. Up by the stage, a level off the floor, right above the penalty box. We could see everything.

And there was much to be seen. The second half games between the Guns and Rollers/High Rollers and the Heathers/Betties was some of the best and most exciting 40 minutes of derby I have ever witnessed. Tight scores, amazing athleticism, and very eventful jams. Wow. I'm still processing a lot of it.

And Rocko was sweet enough to announce to the crowd that it was by birthday. And I was silly enough to tell the crowd that I was turning 21. Oh my.

6 weeks

I'm 6 weeks post-op today. My knee feels *almost* normal. There's still a little tightness and aching, but when I walk it feels about 80%. Strength wise, maybe 50%.

It was a good day at PT. We did a bunch of drills outside. Knee lifts, grape vines, walking squats, walking on my toes, shuffle jogging forward, walking backward on my heels, all kinds of stuff. It was fun to get outside a bit. I probably looked a little nuts, but it was fun. I did a ton of work on the leg press, balance stuff, more squats and lunges. It was pretty rad.

I talked to my PT and her manager (Corrie and Kory) about derby for a bit. They're going to be doing some workshops with the league through the OFC. I'm really excited and it will hopefully lead to some inury prevention.

Oh, and I'm going to get together with Britt again to get a routine together that includes my PT work plus some pilates. I need to start strengthening my core sooner than later. I'm really excited to start working with Britt. She's so good at setting up do-able routines for me. And she also emails me every week to see how I'm doing, and I just can't break her heart.

Apparently this is the time of recovery when people start feeling good, think their knee is all better, and start doing stupid stuff. I might be crazy, but I'm also a big old rule following chicken. My 10K knee is going to stay safe and protected.

Ugh

I just want to skate. It's so far away. I want to try it again to see how I feel. I miss it so much. Riding the dang stationary bike doesn't come close to giving me the same rush.

I can't stop sighing, but I'm going to try.

Taking the stairs

I had an exciting breakthrough at PT today. I can walk up and down stairs. If you're not strong enough, it can be a pretty big strain on your knee. Up is no problem. Down is still a little scary knee-wise, but I can do it.

I'm also doing much better with my one legged squats. I was in a bit of pain doing one last week, and I did 10 without a problem today.

Oh! And we've added in some modified yoga poses. I'm so excited about this progress.

My PT came to watch scrimmage practice with me last night. Someone took a pretty bad fall and didn't get up for a while. She hurt her knee pretty badly. It made me instantly sick to my stomach. I looked at my PT and said "That's why I'm so scared to skate again". I expected a "Yeah, you're right. You shouldn't do this sport, you crazy woman!" Instead, I got a "Don't worry, you'll be fine. We'll get you strong enough to handle it". Wow, OK! I'm going to believe her for now. Yep.

One step back, two steps forward

I know that's backwards, but that's how the order of my weekend went.

Yesterday, the Fresh Meat team put on a mini-bout. We had been broken up into 2 teams. I was on a team, but was pretty much of a non-participant because of the timing of surgery and, um, my inability to skate. It was a very bittersweet evening. The FM skaters did so well. I'm so amazed and proud of how much so many of the girls have improved. They skated incredibly well together and really pulled together as teams.

And I sat on the sideline keeping score. I could have been the den mother and helped out with calling line-ups and such, but I couldn't risk being out in a high-traffic area with my new 10k knee. It was really hard to watch all of the fun, enthusiasm, and teamwork from the sidelines. Frankly, it really sucked. I missed out on a chance to skate in front of a crowd. To experience that team feeling I miss and love from playing sports. But I digress, big whiny babies and derby don't go together. And I really did have fun showing people my scar. And I caught up with a bunch of people I haven't seen in a while and I got a ton of hugs.

On to better news... I had a really good work-out at the gym today. I'm bumping up my weight on the leg press and the hamstring curl. I got back to doing some upper body stuff. Damn, I have lost so much strength in my shoulders and arms. But it felt so good to be lifting again. To feel like a normal girl at the gym who rides the bike and lifts weights and kicks ass. I needed it.

Tissue time

Today began the commencement of breaking up scar tissue in my knee. This is acheived by digging in your thumb (today my PT, the rest of the time me) along the length of the scar. When you find the spot that hurts the most, that's where you dig in further and press on it for a while. Ah, such fun.

Today my PT showed me the things I'll have to do before I'm released to skate. I can barely do 1 balancing quarter squat right now. I'll have to do 50. Plus all this jumping around back and forth and timed stuff. I'm not sure what's timed, but it better not be squat thrusts, sit-ups and sprinting back and forth dropping a block. Yikes. Well, that's months away so I'll just focus on my current barrage of exercises, of which there are many.

15 minutes

So, I'm able to go for 15 minute walks now. I went yesterday, and it felt like a fricking marathon. I have to focus on every step to make sure I'm a) not tripping on anything b) moving my leg like a pony and/or America's Next Top Model in training and c) hitting heel toe on my left foot, as it is a bit floppy. I could not believe how exhausted I was after 15 minutes. The muscles in my left leg were completely fatigued and I couldn't get an ice pack on there fast enough.

It's certainly humbling. But I suppose it allows for obvious progression. I'll be happy when the "I can't believe how tired I used to be after 15 minutes of walking" day comes.

Season Opener

Get yer tickets here, yo. Saturday March 24th at the Expo Center.

I'm also going to be pretending that the bout is a giant birthday party for me since it is indeed happening on my b-day. I'll be accepting PBR tallboys in lieu of gifts.

Freedom

I'm brace free as of 4pm today. No crutches, no brace, just a hot little hitch in my step. I am so glad to be done with that velcro and metal beast.

I'm happy with my advancement in PT. I did a bunch of balance work while throwing a medicine ball and throwing a exercise ball back and forth with my PT. Then I did some lateral training drills. Partial squats to the side, grapevines, walking backwards, high knee steps. I got on the hamstring machine today too. Oh oh oh - I can start going for 15 minute walks too. Or workout on the elliptical. I am so excited to get to move my body again.

Oh, and the true icing on the cake. I slept in bed last night after 3 weeks on the couch. Unbelievable. I am so appreciating this little things that make life good.