Dev on Running

Aaron got through his shoulder surgery on Monday with flying colors and was released from the hospital the same day.

See that black bag hanging around his neck? Inside it is a “pain pump” that delivers medicine through a catheter in his neck to numb the surgery site.

Today, the pump ran out of medicine, and per the doctor’s instructions, I. took. the. catheter. out. (He said he couldn’t feel it at all.)

Have you ever removed like three inches of tubing from someone’s neck? It was so creepy and weird. I could never be a doctor!

Monday night was really rough because Aaron was in so much pain and couldn’t sleep — we were awake till 3 or 3:30 a.m., and I felt horrible because I couldn’t help at all — but last night was better, and we even got out for a walk today. He has a post-op appointment tomorrow morning, and I think things will only improve.

I also got out for a run around Green Lake this morning.

‘Twas very sunny and tiring. I really pushed myself by trying not to walk and I was exhausted by the end. My legs are super confused about why I’m making them do all this work after months of delightful relaxation.

I’ll do a short run tomorrow, or maybe just a longer walk with my favorite patient. : )

Today is Aaron’s last hurrah before his shoulder surgery tomorrow. We’re not doing much — just relaxing and going to see a movie — and he’ll probably be bed/couch-ridden for the next few days.

Please say a prayer, send out good vibes and/or think good thoughts for a successful surgery and speedy recovery!

Pre-injury Aaron says, “Maholo!”

This morning I woke up a bit later than planned and went out for a hot run in the Seattle sunshine. I did a “long” run (for me) and am really happy with how it went.

I ran the first two miles without walking, and took little walking/shade breaks during the last two.

Near the end of mile three, I ran into my friend’s boyfriend and he switched directions to run with me for a few minutes. I thought that was really nice of him until he started running at about a 9:00 min/mi pace, and then I was like FECK NO. I had to stop at a water fountain anyway, so we parted ways… I died a little bit… and then kept going.

Now my legs have the tireds. 16 miles for the week!

My friend Amy’s wedding is tonight, so I just ran two miles this afternoon — enough to get my heart pumping, but not enough to kill my legs. I want to be able to dance my face off, should the opportunity arise.

I walked for about 15 seconds during mile two, but that was it! Happy times.

I wore for the first time this pink Brooks tank that I forgot I had. It’s a soft, breathable mesh material, but not see-through, and plenty long so it doesn’t ride up. My #1 complaint about running tops is that they’re usually too short! The only thing I don’t like about this top is that the neckline feels a little high, but I can live with it. Otherwise, it’s the perfect barely-there tank for warm-weather running.

Looks like it’s on sale now, but I can only guarantee the non-see-through-ness of the pink color!

That said, if it was about 10 degrees hotter in Seattle, I discovered today that I would feel fine going for a run in just a sports bra.

I still have a few pounds I’d like to lose, but they’re mostly in my hips and upper thighs, which you can’t see when I’m wearing running shorts. I’m fine with everything else!

My return to running has helped me regain so much confidence. Even if I look and weigh about the same as I did a month ago, the difference in my head is massive. Maybe it’s just because I feel so much better being active again.

Whatever the real difference is, I like it. I’m going to take it and… bad pun alert… run with it.

I ran three miles around a practically empty Green Lake this morning. I didn’t have to dodge as many people/dogs/strollers as usual, and I only walked about 0.3 miles of this run!

I’m up to 10 miles so far this week. Whaaaa?? It feels so good to be back.

And it feels so good to have my jeans fit better.

And to eat some things I want to eat and not feel guilty because I’m exercising regularly.

Like pasta. I’ve been craving pasta, so I bought some last night. I measured a dry cup of it, cooked it, mixed it with pesto and could only eat about half. (I also had baked salmon, roasted brussels sprouts and a few sweet potato fries.)

I had the other half of the pasta for breakfast. I think my pasta craving has been satisfied and won’t return for a while. But when it does, I’ll have a little and not feel the slightest bit guilty about it.

I should post about how my eating has changed since I ate Paleo all the way through June, but for now, let’s just say I’m doing about 80/20 and not being too strict. Getting back on track after an eating free-for-all in Hawaii. Enjoying life.

Running happy.