Wednesday, February 24, 2010

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

The waiting is the hardest part
Every day you see one more card
You take it on faith, you take it to the heart
The waiting is the hardest part
Tom Petty: The Waiting

(Welcome newest Followers Whitney, KeriRose, Karen, Beth, and NY Wolve)
Well, my PT appointments are done for the week. Next Monday I go see "Nemo" for a "re-eval," meaning he has to do another PT evaluation on me to see where I stand. But I'm getting ahead of myself. This past Monday I arrived at the PT facility, expecting Nemo to perform his WWE moves on me. Instead, I was greeted by "ADHD Dave," the gym guy. I work in a school for students with learning disabilities, autism, ADHD, etc. It took me about 30 seconds to realize that Dave falls into the diagnosis of ADHD, which he confirmed when we were talking about my job. From Mayoclinic.com: "ADHD has been called attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and hyperactivity. But ADHD is the preferred term because it describes both primary aspects of the condition: inattention and hyperactive-impulsive behavior." So that meant I was more tolerant of ADHD Dave knowing that his constant pencil tapping as I exercised, appearing to not listen to what I was saying and not making eye contact, having on and off conversations with the nearby receptionist, repeatedly referring to his written notes, and having difficulty explaining what exercises I was going to be doing, and how to do them, and walking away and coming back repeatedly was alright because of his ADHD. But, ADHD Dave's quirky behavior also made PT more tolerable and entertaining. Seeing Hot Chick leading the aqua therapy session in the pool also helped make my gym sessions more tolerable. Yes, Hot Chick is the aqua therapy babe. Now I just need to figure out how I can have aqua therapy! I have about a dozen exercises to do while lying on my back or stomach. They're all aimed at helping me stretch and strengthen my lower body, legs, pelvis, and groin areas. Monday I felt like I was wasting my time doing them. I really was in denial, and assuming that ADHD Dave was going to have me do some lower-body, macho man, weight-lifting type stuff. Instead I ended up on the mat doing what I felt like were a ridiculous group of exercises; things like pushing my ass down into the mat, flattening my back against the mat, laying on my belly and picking my upper body up off the mat (and looking like a seal). Today I actually felt like the original six exercises along with the new six exercises were helping me. I felt looser and more flexible, and the ones from Monday were easier to do. Overall, it did 3 sets of 25 reps of each one, so it was a productive 50 minutes of exercising. I asked ADHD Dave if I would be able to run the NY City Half Marathon on March 21. He said it wasn't his call, but in his opinion I shouldn't do it. His main reason was that I wouldn't have enough time to train. Also that I still wasn't properly aligned and as loose as I should be. I told him that I've been running "unaligned" for three years; and tight, so that wasn't going to prevent me from running the half. I told him what I had told Nuno 3 weeks ago: With or without their approval, I am still running the half, since my groin pain is no longer an issue. I asked him when he thought I'd be able to resume running. He again said it wasn't his call, and that it would be Nemo's or "Runner Bob's" call. Runner Bob is supposed to be the running expert there. ADHD Dave said that Nemo would have a better idea of whether I can resume running after my re-eval on Monday. Nemo overheard this, and said that Runner Bob may have a say in the decision also. I'm quickly running out of patience. It's been 24 days since I last ran. I've been able to tolerate the long layoff with the thought that once this is over, I'll be a more flexible and stronger runner. Things happen for a reason, and the reasons in this case are clear. I need to take my training more seriously. I need to stretch, strengthen, do yoga, and become a better runner with better running mechanics. I will start taking running more seriously, but not too serious. I want to improve and to grow as a runner, but not at the cost of it no longer being fun. Now if only I can begin running again, I will be able to experience the fun. I'm so done with the waiting...

12 comments:

Unknown said...

The characters in your PT saga crack me up! I think ADHD Dave would have driven me crazy but you are pretty used to these cases and have the patience of a saint...or were YOU distracted by Hot Chick in the pool? Oh well, at least you're enjoying yourself! So are you going to run the half or not?

Lisa said...

I agree with Meg, the PT characters are a riot.

I'm so with you on running out of patience. But know this, you'll come out of this experience with the knowledge of how to be a stronger and hopefully injury free runner. Keep up with the strength training and stretching even when you are feeling good.

Are you doing anything for cardio to make up for not running right now?

Looking forward to hearing how the re-eval goes.

Turbo Photographs said...

I'm right there with ya. It's been almost 4 weeks since my stress fracture diagnosis. Sounds like you'll be back out there before I will ... lucky!!!

NY Wolve said...

One trip through PT several years ago and I concluded same thing: I need to be stronger and fitter, not just a runner. I think it is more important the older we get and the harder we push. But of course that s much easier said than done because I enjoy running and don't enjoy lifting or yoga as much. Hang in there!

Anonymous said...

You have yet to thank ME for being a reader. Pft! For that I might post this comment 10 times.

And Petty will be in my head for the rest of the day.

Anais said...

Soon you'll be able to run!!! :)

I still can't believe you're actually doing yoga now... I'm impressed :D

Lisa said...

Honestly, you probably know your body better than they do. Go with your gut when it comes to the half. I hope you continue to be pain free.

I also enjoy the "characters" from pt. Your stories made me laugh.

Thanks for your kind words of encouragement on my blog.

EZEthan said...

Your stories really make me want to go to physcal therapy...

Also, just a thought but I think that ADH Dave rolls off the tounge better (or maybe it should be ADHDave)

Lindsay said...

i love your sense of humor :) always makes me laugh. "looked like a seal" haha. i hope you didn't start barking like one too!

i'm assuming you'd run/walk or run the half slower than usual -- just so long as you're out there?

Julie said...

Oh my God, you had me busting up!! How and the heck can we get you in the pool with aqua therapy babe?? You are such a guy:) Happy Thursday!!

Erin Conley said...

Love your descriptions of your PT assistants! It reminds me of my "good 'ol" PT days. Thanks as well for the Petty reference... "The Waiting" is still one of my favorite songs by him. And I'm with you...if you feel up for it, run the half-marathon. When I was in PT and given strict instructions not to run at all, I went and ran the local 8K Turkey Trot anyway...and had my best 8K time ever. So why not? Go for it!

ihaverun said...

Woo-hoo for yoga. And an even bigger woo-hoo for anything that makes your gym sessions more tolerable!