A wondrous event

So how is Operation Proper Sweaty Athlete progressing, you ask? As well you might. Our heroine continues to plug away at it, while coming to terms with the challenges of being not only older but much heavier than last time she did this. Walking = tick. Cycling = tick. Swimming = ? My shoulders are feeling a bit niggly, so I think I need to do fewer laps more often, which will create scheduling difficulties, which I will overcome. Last time I went to the pool my back started to seize up, which displeased me. It was the day after my last (ahem) "run", which I think I overdid - 7 x 90sec. *frowns*. My physio scoffs at stretching but I feel better when I do and more sore when I don't so I'm going to start working it into the daily routine and see what happens. I have a strong sense that being lighter would make this rehab easier, so I am keeping a food diary to try and curb the after-work face-stuffing habit to which I have fallen prey. So far so good. As you can see, I'm still at the stage where there are no rules-of-thumb - I have to work out everything as I go along, which is somewhat anxiety provoking. I look forward to a time when it's all just normal, and I can just go and do stuff. Le sigh... The Spousal Unit, I have discovered, has also begun thinking about his food and exercise (I know, you could have knocked me down with a feather too) so that's helpful as I no longer have to do my nut before anyone will come walking or cycling with me, nor get the stink-eye when I suggest brown rice or smaller portions.
Life at Schloss LBTEPA has been eventful in its usual, that is to say uneventful, way. Our heroine clocked up 11 Mother's Day Classic events in a row a couple of weeks ago (yes it has been that long, sorry blog for neglecting you), this time on her own two feet

Last weekend we went to Melbourne for Noddie's ballet masterclass (yes, she goes to that sort of dance school) and visited the Aztec exhibition at the Museum, which was very informatively gory. On the way home we stocked up on Real, Delicious Food at the Vic Market, and felt a bit sad we'd moved so far away. But not sad enough to want to move back.
But my friends! I must tell you of the wondrous event which befell me at the market! The stars aligned and the shoe gods smiled upon me that day - a pair of fabulous red boots that Actually Zipped Up Over My Blessedly Bountiful Calves revealed themselves to me and became my companions.Can world domination be far away?

More anon, seven-leaguers!

5x1 + 2x10

After I walked Noddie to school I kept walking in the lovely autumn sunshine, to the gym. I haven't been there for quite some time. I was quite nervous. My goals were to run 5x1 minute on the treadmill, and to stand for 20 seconds on each leg on the stupid balance ball. I completed the first pleasingly easily, although I didn't enjoy it at all because I was too worried about twinges in my achilles. I remembered very vividly how far I used to run and wondered if I'll ever feel that good again, but that was pointless so I concentrated on Eurovision on the gym tv instead. I completely heart Eurovision. One minute isn't long anyway.
I should rewrite that -  OMG PEOPLE I ACTUALLY RAN!!! I ACTUALLY RAN!!! YAY! - but I've been in Broken Hell for a long time and I don't believe things happen just because I want them to or becuase the physio says it'll be all right. We'll see how sore I am tomorrow.
I managed 10 seconds for each leg on the stupid balance ball so I will have to come back and have another go. I'm home now, slathered in precautionary anti-inflammatory gel. I don't know whether to laugh hysterically or cry hysterically. It's a start.
More anon, sunshiners!

It's unbelievable, I don't believe it

Stop Press: LBTEPA's PHYSIO IS HAPPY!
IN A SHOCK ANNOUNCEMENT, LBTEPA's PHYSIO HAS STATED THAT SHE MUST KEEP DOING WHAT SHE IS DOING, AND ALSO DO WHATEVER ELSE SHE LIKES!!!
Onlookers were stunned when, after the usual humiliating and depressing round of exercises, LBTEPA's physiostated that he was 'very happy' and that 'you can really start loading now'. When queried, he stated that yes, he did mean swimming and running, with the caveat that anything causing next-day achilles soreness must be treated with 2 days' rest and decreased intensity next time the exercise was undertaken. After a short discussion it was decided that skipping would be an appropriate loading exercise to begin with, with the aim of working up to running. Walking is definitely encouraged.
HEADLINE: LBTEPA IS SPEECHLESS
"Not worrying will take some getting used to", stated our heroine, as the news began to sink in. "Now get out of my way, I'm off to the pool!"

-the most beautiful view in the world yesterday-

It'll be hard to go slowly, but I can do hard things. I'm out of the two-year hell of broken at last! I can plan! I can look forward to things! I can't stop grinning when I think about it.

More anon, splish-splashers!