I guess I should not be too surprised but I got a little busy during the semester. I actually felt like I was behind all semester. I think having construction going on at home, teaching a new class, and continuing the rehab process kept me from fully concentrating on "work" although quite a bit got done. The kitchen project is done, my rehab is pretty much done, and the class seemed to work out fine.
There are things that always remind me of the fun I had this summer and how I was generally lucky with my injury. One of my colleagues fell skiing and got to visit the same surgeon to have his ankle repaired. I have heard stories of broken legs leading to infections and eventually amputation and gotten quick glimpses into other people's similar but worse suffering. I saw someone at PT the last time I was there that had walking boots on both legs. Rehabing both legs at the same time or during the icy part of the year, while trying to teach, would be much worse than what I had to deal with. I was lucky to have my rupture during the summer and when Teresa had the flexibility to take care of me almost every day. No worrying about using crutches on ice and snow or having to lecture on crutches or even in a walking boot. And I am getting back to 100% or at least sort of close. I guess it is important to remember that even when things seem bad, there is always someone who has it worse.
As the fall rolled along, I started running. I have been slowly able to increase the frequency of running and pace. I had hoped to use cross-country skiing to complete my rehab, but the ski season has so far been spotty (the reports are that the snow is decent in the mountains but that isn't quite what I am looking for). I cross-country skied a couple of times up Sourdough during the fall semester, but discovered that I was really scared of falling. I am not the most brave skier normally but this was at another level of trepidation. On soft snow descending the slightly steep and wide trail was fine but that was my upper limit. Our in town snow has been poor this year. Once we get skiable snow in town, I will start skiing again.
But for now, I have been going to the gym. I have never liked gyms, but am enjoying what I can do there. I am now running a couple of miles around 10 minute mile pace. Then Teresa and I lift weights and do some stretching. It has been fun so far. In doing that, I have been able to really see my current limits. Past the six month point, I am still struggling to get my weaker leg to catch up with the stronger. After running, I tried to work both sides to exhaustion on a leg press sled with the same number of reps. The difference in weight settings was 50 versus 70. It really isn't a 70% difference because the real weight I was moving was heavier than that. But it is still a difference and the two sides don't look the same. I still have a dimple at the top of the incision. But my achilles is actually coming back to normal in size and shape. So now I just get to keep working.
