Alter-G!

When I first met with Dr. Larson, we went over a timeline on recovery from this beast of a surgery and rehab.  Three months of very, very little, 6 months to beginning a run/walk program, 1 year to get back at it for real.  BUT, he said if I can get on an Alter-G we can get me "running" sooner.  When we moved out to Foco, I checked out the nearest one I could use and it was in Vail (at the Howard Head out there).  Well, that's 6 hours of driving, probably more in the winter, and not a feasible option.  I let it go, though I have been trying to convince the Westminster HH office to get one :).

During my follow-up with Dr. Larson, it was brought up again.  Just for kicks when I got home, I went to Alter-G's website and checked out locations again.  Holy cow, there are now 2 within an acceptable driving distance to me!  One very close in Windsor and one in Boulder.  The Boulder location is at a place dedicated to athletes, so even though the drive is longer (yet, it's 15 minutes from PT, so that's a bonus on those days!) it's a much better scenario for me.  Also, a phone call with the doctor there sold me.  Being under the supervision of someone who gets runners and running and is planning on coordinating every phase of this with my surgeon and PTs is priceless!  I AM THRILLED.

I have been hurting from the biking, I actually think the "running" (yeah, it's not real running yet, not even close...I'll be at 50% of my body weight for a while) will be easier on the hip flexors.  It's less of a dramatic motion and less pulling up than I have with the clip-less pedals.

I did a test run there today.  Just 12 minutes or so at around 50 pounds...zero pain (I have pain on the bike)!  Crazy.  I'm in love.  I have an appointment scheduled there for after PT on Monday.  I still need to get some ideas about percentages and speeds and a basic plan laid out for me.  Hopefully we can start hitting this a couple of times a week to start out and then build up to 4 sessions.  The mental boost this has given is unmeasurable, it really is.  I was so happy for the biking, I adore breaking into a sweat but it isn't jiving with my psoas when I do it everyday.  Mixing it up AND having my sport involved again in my rehab is totally wonderful, thrilling, awesome, great...all that good stuff.

Getting zipped in

Calibration

Woohoo, "running"

Happy, happy gal here :)