arthur_p_dent

Wed - Woke up feeling run down, so I worked from home and rested, thinking it was a one day thing. Made plans for Fri and Sat.

Thu - Woke up with a chest cold AND an eye infection. Worked from home again to not spread either one around the office.

Fri - Vacation day. Woke up improved, but nowhere close to 100%. Cancelled my Fri plans, so I don't spread this around to people I care about either.

Sat - We shall see. As long as my eye is better I should be able to keep my Sat plans, and salvage some of the weekend. Fingers crossed.

It's been a lonnnnng week, and I'm feeling it this morning. I snuck out of the office for a coffee, but I have a meeting soon so I'll have to get back shortly. A few things of note this week. Plans with family last weekend were quite enjoyable, though tiring. My return to running is going well. Still some minor residual ankle stiffness, but that's improving daily. Checked out a different run club last night. It was a smaller group and I didn't know anyone, so unfortunately I had to deal with some of my social awkwardness. Looking forward to lunch plans today with my good friend. And, another busy weekend is coming up.

That's it, short and sweet. See you again soon. =]

Well, I made it back. Ironically it's been a slow week, so this will probably be shorter than usual.

I never did talk to my boss. We actually were supposed to have this conversation a few weeks ago, but I think he's been spread pretty thin with some recent changes to his role. I'm sure he'll get to it eventually, and I'm not concerned enough to push the point.

I start physio for my leg today. I've been incorporating more things using my legs and adding cardio lately, and I'm hopeful the physio will help loosen up the lingering stiff joints and muscles.

I went for my first bike ride of the year yesterday. Probably went further than I should have, all things considered. But any new activity is very welcome at this point, even if there is some aching afterward.

Still not positive what I'm going to do about my goals, but I'm leaning towards dropping it at the end of the month. We'll see.

And that's about it. Time to get back to the office and have a bite to eat. Have a good week. See you again!  =/

This should be my time to catch up on my overdue weekly post, but that can wait til tomorrow. 

This morning I had my long-awaited follow-up appointment for my leg injury. It's been feeling good for a few weeks now, and I've been spending more and more time at home without the boot on. That has also helped loosen up my ankle, and I'm getting close to being able to walk and traverse stairs normally again. Plus, it's been two months, and I'm at the point where I want to be done with it.

I'm sure you can see by now that there's a "but" coming. While the doctor is pleased with the xray and how the bone is healing, he wants me to keep using the boot for another four weeks. Granted, over that time I'll be weening myself away from it - using it less and less while I build more strength in my leg and the bone continues to heal. 

So I'm headed in the right direction, but I'm not there yet.  =/

Several friends participated in a race today.
Proud of them for their hard work and accomplishments. Kinda bummed that I'm still sidelined.

Several "friends" planned a trip to go watch and support them.
Would have loved to go, except it seems nobody felt the need to include me in their plans. Kinda pissed about that. 

So much for a pleasant Sunday. =/

I'm back. And since I missed a week along the way (again), I'll see just how much I can remember. 

I've been keeping busy at work. Aside from month end last week, which was a pain, I've also been working on updating work instructions. It's a long-overdue project, especially now since I'm the only person in the organization with any of this knowledge. It's actually quite interesting, seeing all of the details of all of the tasks that, until now, only existed in my head. It may be for naught - there have been hints of a possible new position being created for me to move into - but I still want to have things in the best possible shape, just in case.

The leg still aches, my activity level is still fairly low, and, not surprisingly,  the pounds are piling on. I'm getting close to 15 pounds over the past 6 weeks - and I can both see it and feel it. And it's another four weeks until my next appointment too, so I'm expecting it to keep going in the wrong direction. Hopefully I get cleared to give the boot the boot, and get back to some cardio.

I haven't been getting nearly enough done around the house, but the weather has been nice enough that I've been able to enjoy the back porch quite often. The dumb thing is that, even with this injury, I still need to write "take time to relax" on my to-do list each week. It's a real testament to just how messed up my priorities are. On the plus side, I did finish the shawl I had been working on, and I've also made quite a bit of progress on the puzzle I've had on the go for several months now, so I guess there's something to be said for that.

Other than that, and spending some good times hanging out with various friends, I guess it's been a fairly quiet couple of weeks. And other than a dentist appointment, and hopefully getting my new glasses, it looks like the week to come will be similarly low-key. For now, I suppose I should make my way back to work and get this Monday over with. Hopefully everyone gets to enjoy some lovely spring weather this week.

Until next time. =]

It feels like it's been a few weeks... oh wait, it has. Lots of days to be sure, but almost all of that time has revolved around race 2 - so that's what you'll get to read about today.

The week leading up to the race was fairly chill. I cut back on training to conserve my energy, and didn't do too much at the gym either. I did go to run club, but kept it light and easy. All in all it was a good approach to the weekend.

Since the race was out of town, my SO and I made a long weekend mini-vacation out of it. We drove up on the Friday, and I picked up all my race swag before dinner. On Saturday we took the train into Toronto, had lunch at our favourite restaurant, explored the Ripley's aquarium, and went to see the Blue Jays play (Jays won!). And after all that we were still back at the hotel before 9, leaving me lots of time to get a good night's sleep. 

Sunday was race day. I was up on time, got ready and ate, and walked to the starting area with plenty of time to warm up. It was a beautiful morning for running, and everything started out decently. I was keeping the pace I wanted to, and enjoying the course. About half way through we came to a section that was mostly downhill, and knowing that I would be turning around and climbing that hill at some point, I decided to let gravity help me make up a little time. That was the beginning of my undoing.

Somewhere in that downhill section I must have landed heavily or awkwardly without realizing it, and on the climb back up the hill I started getting a pain in my shin. I chalked it up to muscle soreness from the climb, and kept going. A little bit further on, the pain was getting worse. I probably should have stopped at a medical tent when I saw one, but no, on I went. Almost 7km to the finish line, limping all the way. But I finished, and happily received my medal.

Now, remember how I said that I should have sought medical attention? Well. After the adrenaline of the race wore off, that's when the pain really kicked in. And I still had another km to walk back to the hotel (roads were still closed, so there was no way to get a ride). I did make it back, and after getting cleaned up and packed we were out the door. We found a really nice little place for lunch, and then headed for home.

Waking up the next morning to the same pain, I called and was able to get in to see my doctor in the afternoon. And so began a two week barrage of tests to see just what was going on. An x-ray, then an MRI, another x-ray, an ultrasound, and finally a bone scan. The last test was the definitive one - I had suffered a stress fracture in my shin bone. My doc called me Sunday night to tell me to head in to the fracture clinic at the hospital first thing in the morning. And now here I sit today in a walking boot for the next six weeks. After that, physiotherapy and rehab, and a very slow return to exercise while the bone continues to heal.

What does this mean for my upcoming races? The July 5K, I'll probably be a volunteer. The September half marathon, I'll switch that one to the 5K (second year in a row - that race may be a jinx for me). And for my October half marathon I'll drop to either the 5K or 10K as well. No long distances for the rest of this year, unfortunately, but healing properly is far more important.

So that's my tale. Now that things are sorted I'm hopeful that I can get back to a mostly normal routine, although I do have to be mindful that I need to take breaks and rest from time to time (as I notice the ache in my leg starting to grow a bit). For sure, I will keep you posted on how things are going. But for now it's time to get back to the office. Have a good week - I'll see you soon. =]

Back to normal timing - for this week at least. I feel like next week will be delayed again, but we'll see. 

I ended up spending much of last week working through how I was feeling about race 1. I got the normal kind of encouraging messages from some running friends - you'll bounce back, it was only one race, you finished and that's amazing... that kind of stuff. But I also had one friend reach out with a voice message, and basically scold me about not feeling proud of what I had done. She reminded me of how far I've come in the past two years, and all the things I've accomplished. It was something I definitely needed to hear, and I've been listening to the message almost every day as a reminder, and to help keep me in the right frame of mind for race 2 this coming weekend.

I tapered back on run training last week, so that I'm not overdoing it. But, I also got back in the gym on a regular schedule, which I'm happy about. I can't do any upper body exercises yet because of my shoulder (seeing the doctor in a couple weeks), but legs and cardio are kind of a priority right now anyway. Also, with curling done for the season I was able to get out to the Friday run club - it's nice to get out twice a week again.

Friday I had lunch with my good friend, and since it was pleasant weather we also went for a walk at a nearby park afterward. Saturday evening the family went out for dinner to celebrate mine and my MIL's birthdays, which were both last week. It was a nice restaurant, and the food and company were wonderful. And yesterday was a catch-up day, with a bit of relax time as well. All in all it was a good weekend. 

Well, time to head back to work. I've got a meeting in a bit, which I'm not sure whether I'm nervous about or not. If anything weird comes of it, I'll let you know. Otherwise, have a good week, and I'll see you soon, hopefully with news of a good race result.  =]

I wasn't able to get to this yesterday, but that's fine. A couple things came up during the day and I went to bed very early, so instead, here I am today.

Well, it became official on Tuesday - those three plants did end up being sold off. For the short term I'll continue to support those plants, doing the exact work I've been doing. Considering how widespread my knowledge and involvement is, and the fact that nobody else in the company has ever done any of it, it makes sense to keep things status quo. Eventually though, the new owners will change those plants over to a different computer system and train people in the plants on those functions, and my support will no longer be needed. I already know that there won't be any opportunity to stay where I am after that, so that'll be the end of it. I should be good until the fall, which gives me time to prepare.

After that I had to deal with month end, which actually went very smoothly for a change. For me at least - other accounting people had to deal with their new ownership, and leading into the long weekend that had to have been a heavy load. Luckily that part didn't involve me at all, so I was able to enjoy the time off.

Friday I didn't have curling, and thanks to fortunate alignment of our schedules I was able to hang out with my good friend. We had more time than usual, which was nice, and her BF joined us later too, which is great since we all don't get to hang out together too often. On Saturday I had my last long run before my upcoming race, and that went quite well. I have a plan for this first one, which is to keep is simple and steady and complete the whole distance with no walking breaks (that last one is something I have yet to accomplish). Sunday I was supposed to run again but I put it off a day since my legs were more tired than usual. Instead I did a small grocery trip and some food prep, and then relaxed for the afternoon - something I rarely allow myself to do. Overall it was a good weekend.

At some point I still need to post how I did with my goals for March (late again), but I feel like that might not happen until Sunday since I have a pretty busy week ahead of me. That should give me lots to talk about next time too. For today I'll say adieu, as it's time to make my way back to the office. Have a good week everyone!  =]

I get an hour for lunch each day. Rather than doom-scroll on my phone and waste five hours a week, I like to use that time a bit better. Mondays are for DW posts from the coffee shop. Fridays are usually lunch with my good friend. And one day in between I'll go for either a coffee or a beer, and sit and read my book. That leaves a couple days open for different things.

Now that spring is here, I can get back to doing some walking. And that's what I did today. Our city has a Provincial nature reserve, and it never dawned on me until today just how close it is to the office. After a quick five minute drive I was strolling down a trail through the park, and most of the road noise was quickly left behind.

I know there's lots of wildlife there, but for today I only really saw and heard birds. Several different finches, red winged blackbirds, blue jays, and one handsome cardinal that took a moment from his busy day to pose for a picture...



This is definitely going to become part of my weekly routine.

Anyway, just thought I'd share. =]