Week 6: Injury Update

It's been more than six weeks since I got hurt running along Montrose Harbor in Chicago. At some point, the tears finally dried, and I made peace with my stress fracture.
Instead of dwelling on it, I've learned from my mistake. I'm already stronger for it. I'm sharing what I've learned with my friends and family: I'm strength training, and I'm making more of an effort to get adequate calcium and Vitamin D. I've quit the Viactiv caramel chews and traded them in for pills. The chews were nasty and reminded me of medicine. And even smothering 'em in Nutella didn't help. My sister likes Viactiv chews, so she'll be the lucky recipient of my leftovers. I also finished my eighth (but sadly probably not the last) physical therapy session yesterday.

As I've probably said this here before, I'm really making the most of getting hurt. A case in point: Last week, I went to the gym six times to bike and do some strength training. I feel strong, and I think I look it, too. If I had to run a marathon tomorrow, I think I could. Would I probably hurt my foot? You betcha. I'll have to take baby steps instead of major strides toward running again -- and only when the doctor says it's OK. But if I had to run 26.2, baby, I imagine I could do it.

Not only have I thrown myself into working out at the gym to become a stronger athlete, I'm devoting some spare time to raising awareness about multiple myeloma, the work of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) and my dad. This Sunday marks 15 years since he died. I find my involvement rewarding and therapeutic -- and I wish I would have gotten involved with the MMRF years ago. Better late than never, I say.

--It's been six weeks since I went for a real run.
--It's been five weeks since I wore shoes on both feet.
--It's been four weeks since I started walking with the aid of crutches.

"Sometimes the moments that challenge us the most define us." -- U.S. Olympic Marathoner Deena Kastor

Blessings in multitude

My sister and I feel blessed. Today, thanks to the power of Twitter, we received a donation to our charity, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), from a runner in Texas. He's a follower on Twitter and runs for charity. Beyond that, we have no connection to him.

During the past few weeks, I have witnessed how good people can be. My decision to run for the MMRF and my injury have afforded me the opportunity to witness the human condition close up. I've seen a mix of the good, the bad and the ugly. But mostly, I've experienced the good. Here's a recent snapshot:

1. There's a man who works in my building with whom I've never spoke (besides saying "thank you") but always opens the door for me because of my current state.
2. Individuals at my gym have been mighty supportive, showering me with kudos for working out despite my injury.
3. My colleague sent me a text last week, offering to pick up breakfast or a morning latte for me. Indeed, he brought me coffee with a steamed skim topper.
4. Also last week, my cousin's college roommate donated to the MMRF. We haven't seen or spoken with each other in years, yet she felt compelled to contribute to a cause so important to my family and me. That's pretty cool.
5. A woman stopped midway through washing her hands today to open the bathroom door for me. OK, so that was a little awkward (I totally could have opened the door myself), but I appreciated her attentiveness and compassion.

Injury update:
--I have one more physical therapy session next Monday for my hip (IT Band Syndrome). Today's session was supposed to be my last but I had a "relapse" last week. Basically, my hip hurt every day at work. I gotta find a job where I'm moving. Sitting at a desk = intense pain!
-- I have a CT scan of the heel scheduled for Tuesday, April 6, at noon. I need all the prayers you can offer!
-- I return to the sports medicine center to meet with my doctor on Thursday, April 8. My foot has been sore lately. I hope the crappy weather and the air boot (I realized recently that the boot hasn't been very inflated -- oops!) are the culprit. Again, prayers please!

Oh happy day!

Oh happy day!

I have some exciting news to share. I will no longer be running the Chicago Marathon on behalf of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation solo. My little sister, Brookey Lee, will be joining me for her first marathon.

Stay tuned for an updated donation page, upcoming coverage in the Red Eye (a Chicago Tribune publication) and a story in our hometown paper.

I'm dreaming of chocolate.

On this fine Sunday morning (the sun is out!), I'm enjoying the Travel Channel's chowdown countdown for a few minutes before I crutch it (walking on crutches) to the gym for a bike workout.

As I watch, I keep thinking, "I wonder if there's a race in that city being featured. If there is, I want to go there, run the race and then stuff my belly."

I'm not a fine chocolate lover. But when it comes to sweet treats, I don't discriminate. One of the restaurants being featured is Cafe Fleuri at the Langham Hotel in Boston. The cafe offers an "all-you-can-enjoy" chocolate buffet for $38.

Either I need to qualify for the Boston Marathon, or I need to return to Boston to hang out. However I get there, I want to go to that chocolate bar. Stat.

Dish served with a side of nostalgia

Knowing I would be home by 5 tonight, I decided to cook. I know, I know. It's been a while.

I quickly scanned scalloped potato recipes at work knowing I had a bag of potatoes at home and a ham steak. I picked one of the first recipes I saw, and I made it. This dish reminded me of many a lunch meal at St. Mary's. Mine was good; I think the sweet cooks at St. Mary's did better.

Without further ado, here's the recipe. I pretty closely followed the ingredient list, but I've added notes in bold anyway.

Ingredients
1 pound fully cooked ham slice, 1/2-inch thick
5 cups thinly sliced potatoes
1 can cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery soup
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper (I didn't have any peppers.)
Dash pepper
2 tablespoons butter (I forgot to add. Whoops!)
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, optional

Preparation
1. Cut ham in bite-size pieces.
2. Place half of the potatoes in a greased, shallow, 2-quart baking dish.
3. Cover with ham.
4. Top with remaining potatoes.
5. Dot with butter. (Again, I forgot to do this.)
6. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. 
7. Remove covering; bake 30-45 minutes longer, or until the potatoes are done. (I baked for 45 minutes.)
8. If desired, sprinkle shredded Cheddar cheese over the top of the potatoes and continue baking for the last 15 minutes.

Serves: 6 (I don't agree with this estimate, unless it is used as a side dish.)

Do you have a favorite comfort food recipe? If so, post it in the comment section. 

***P.S. I miss Milk Duds. I can't wait for Easter to arrive and for Lent to be over.

An Open Letter to My Foot

Dear heel,

Please heal thyself -- and quickly. As much as you like the safety of the air boot, do you really want to be seen in footwear that resembles something Edward Scissorhands might wear? I don't think so.

In case you didn't notice, it was sunny and 60 degrees this afternoon in Chicagoland. That's perfect running weather. You missed out on a great running day. I'll let it slide this time, but don't think I'll let you take many more weeks off. It's natural to be worried about getting injured again. But you don't have to worry about that. Once you're ready, I promise to treat you gently and take running slowly. One step at a time. But don't dawdle. Spring time is prime running weather, and I want to take advantage.

Take good care,

Your anxious owner

Joining the Chicago Marathon MMRF Team -- one month later

(I sent this in an e-mail a few minutes ago, and I thought it made a worthy post.)

Dear Friends and Family,

I hope this finds you happy and healthy.

In February, I joined the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation’s Chicago Marathon team. It is my hope to update you periodically about fund-raising efforts, multiple myeloma research and training for the big day.

Your support has been tremendous. The race is still many months away (Oct. 10!), but I can’t wait to toe the starting line!

Fund-raising

Fund-raising has been successful. I am grateful for each and every donation. To date, I have raised $595. I hope to shatter my minimum goal of $1,000.

Thank you to everyone who has donated. Your contribution and what it means for multiple myeloma research brings tears to my eyes each time I receive a donation. Every dollar counts. Ninety-three percent of all money raised goes toward research—not toward the marathon program, or operations of the foundation.

Multiple Myeloma Research

In that spirit, I would like to share an article that recently appeared in Parade magazine. The writer interviewed Kathy Giusti, co-founder of the MMRF and warrior against the disease. She was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1996 and later founded the MMRF with her twin sister.

My dad died in 1995, a time when there were few treatments for multiple myeloma. Since the formation of the MMRF in 1998, several treatments have come along. There is still no cure. But these drugs offer—for some—a longer life. 

I hope you have time to read the article. It is short but information-packed. Giusti offers insight into the disease, her battle with it and what the foundation does.

Training

I typically spend 16-18 weeks training for a marathon. This means that training for the Chicago Marathon won’t technically start until mid-June.

When I signed up for the Chicago Marathon, I had recently started training for the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon (May 2). While preparing for it, I suffered a stress fracture in my heel  around Valentine’s Day. I’m already on the road to recovery. I’ve been wearing an air boot for two weeks, using crutches for one. I face at least five more weeks using both.  

Some might consider this a major setback. Of course, the Flying Pig Marathon is out. Getting injured is frustrating to be sure. This is my first serious injury in six years of running, and I consider it a wake-up call.

I am cross-training (biking), strength-training, stretching and taking more calcium than I did prior to the injury. I’m doing everything in my power to recover 110 percent so I can be at my strongest come Oct. 10. 

Best,

Brady

One week down, five more to go.

On my way to work this morning, which is located about a half-mile from my home, I got stopped by a strange woman in a Land Crusier with Arizona license plates. She pulled off a busy road and into a parking lot, rolled down her window and asked me if I wanted a ride to wherever I was going. She said I appeared to be in pain (I wasn't).

I explained to her that I was simply tired but that I only had a few blocks to go, so I could manage the rest of the trip on my feet. She told me her destination and emphasized that she would be happy to drive me. Again, I said no thanks.

Yesterday, an older Italian man coming out of a building startled me when he exclaimed, "Oh my gosh! What happened to you?" When I told him that I suffered a stress fracture due to running, he cautioned, "You have to be careful!"

Tonight at L.A. Fitness, a woman commented on how she thought it was great I was working out despite my injury. She's a fellow runner and could empathize with my desire and need to keep up my fitness level. We talked about injuries for a while, and then I went on my merry way to the stationary bike. 

This morning's situation might have been unusual, say, eight days ago. But ever since the doctor ordered I use crutches, strangers stopping me on the street, at the gym or in the locker room has become common place. Strangers are offering me rides and opening doors. They're asking me about my injury. They're concerned. Colleagues and friends are offering to take me to the grocery store or run an errand for me. As my friend Emma predicted, I'm getting a peek at the human condition.

I made muffins.

I haven't cooked much lately. Well, nothing original or made from scratch anyway. Maybe you noticed.

This weekend, minutes before I sent Ben to the grocery store (simple chores are down-right challenging on crutches), I decided I wanted to bake. So I asked him to pick up some peaches and eggs so I could whip up this simple muffin recipe from Recipe Girl.


This peach and brown sugar muffin recipe was so simple that I know I'll be following it again. It's easy to adjust, too. The muffins turned out light and tasty, and I don't think they're terribly unhealthy. I used wheat flour instead of white, which helped. When I make them again, I plan to add more peaches and allspice. And I'd like to introduce fresh ginger.