Rusty – Week 4 Progress

Week 4 has been somewhat uneventful.  Pain continues to fade and strength continues to increase.  I continue to ride the stationary bike for 45 minutes daily.  I’m also increasing the resistance each week.  The big change is I started walking 2 miles per day.  I picked up that suggestion on Patrick’s progress report.  The walking is helping tremendously!  I can actually see my atrophy reversing.  I love the outdoors.  Walking on pavement (snow) is much different than the treadmill.  I’m using muscles that have been dormant for weeks.  I’m wearing some great gripping Salomons.

I want to stress that everybody is different.  I push myself a little harder than maybe I should.  Just a little.  You really need to listen to your body.  My wife thought my walks in the snow may be risky.  I feel like everything is risky.  The only thing that isn’t risky is lying on the couch for 6 weeks.  As stated earlier, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.  I especially took notice when Greg indicated that he pushed himself too hard and ended up with some non-hip injuries around week 14 or 15.  I am also following Patrick’s progress with interest.  He is three weeks ahead of me.  I’m not quite washing the bottom of my foot yet at week 4, but I’m getting close.  Although I say listen to your body, push yourself a littleJ

Julie is coming up with surgery the day after Christmas, Best of Luck Julie!  I’m confident she’ll come through this just fine.  I researched the Ortho team at the Hospital she is going to.  They are one of the best Ortho Hospitals in the Nation.  Julie, I sincerely hope you’re excited to move on and have a pain free 2014.

Here is some good reading in order for post-op entertainment:

–          How to Run with a Hip Replacement (Kindle Required)

–          Once a Runner (Great Fictional Story Throughout)

–          Born to Run (Slow beginning but Great Info and Story)

–          Running with the Buffalos (Season with Colorado X-Country Team)

–          Again to Carthage (Sequel to “Once a Runner”) (slow Start Great Story)

I’m still hopeful to be running on January 7^th!  And still shooting for a responsible Half Marathon in late April.