Catching up

It's been awhile since my last post.  Since receiving the official diagnosis about having a stress fracture in my left foot, I haven't been 'allowed' to go for long training rides outside and haven't been running.  It kind of made me sad for the first few weeks as I worried about staying in shape with what I could and couldn't do.

The only thing I kept up with distance-wise on my training schedule was the swimming portion, using the pull buoy more than usual.  I cycled on my indoor trainer with my 'special shoe' on about twice a week, but I really couldn't up the resistance or spin for too long.  Other than that, I focused on strength training with weights, resistance bands, and using the stability ball...anything I could do to at least maintain the level of fitness I had worked so hard to gain.  I also maintained a healthy diet (most of the time :P) and was taking my vitamins, including extra calcium and vitamin D to help promote bone growth.  So...I really didn't feel like I had much to blog about regarding training.

I suppose I could have updated you with everyday things, like how I invented quite possibly the most delicious pancake ever (see below)

Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes

Or I could have shared my story about almost re-injuring my foot while trying to kill a huge spider that looked really similar to this:

Yes, Ladies and Gents, that IS a photo of a Brown Recluse

Annnnd that's F'in fantAstic that it was in my house

Orrr, I could have just written to share this amazingly hilarious video:

In other news...
Last week I had a follow up appointment with the Hot Doctor, and he told me that my foot appears to be healing just fine, and I can gradually start adding things back in. First, I can walk around in normal tennis shoes for 3 days during regular activities, and if that doesn't hurt then I can cycle indoors with my cycling shoes for 20-30 minutes.  If that doesn't hurt, I can continue cycling for 3 days, then move to elliptical.  Right now I am pleased to say I am at the elliptical stage and so far, so good (fingers crossed, knock on wood!) :) 

He said to call him (oo la la) before I decide to try running, so I am planning to make that call Monday morning and hoping he gives the ok!  I know that even when I am given the green light it will be trial and error and will require patience as I slowly add in the distance...starting from scratch. It's hard to be patient sometimes, especially since the date of the Olympic triathlon is getting closer and closer, and I really want to be able to complete the run portion.  But I need to listen to my body and be careful not to re-injure myself. 

I'm just excited to be doing other things for cardio!  This week I've been hitting the row machine, bike, and elliptical, and it feels so good!  There's lots of catching up to do...

Hope you all had a fantastic 4th of July and have a fun weekend!  Maybe it will be one of these types of weekends for some of you :) :