Ankle Arthroscopy (The Finale)

This will probably be anticlimactic for most people, but I thought it was cool enough to warrant one last post.

After 9 weeks into the adventure of my ankle Arthroscopy, I had my final follow up visit with my Surgeon on Thursday.

Because of my almost monk like devotion to my physical therapy I have regained a significant amount of range of motion in my big toe and ankle.

One of the other options would be to fuse the entire joint together, for whatever reason anytime I hear the word “fuse” combined with any body part I cringe. (No thanks)

9 weeks is not the end of the road for the procedure either.

The Doc explained that it would take an additional 2 to3 months for full recovery which for me would mean that I could go out and run maybe 5 to 7 miles without issues.

He also gave me his blessing to begin running again, which was what I had been waiting 9 weeks to hear.

His only caveat was that I could run for about….wait for it…..10 whole minutes.

I got home from work, grabbed the dogs and the wife, and went for a half mile jog in the middle of a killer rain storm on the trails at the house.

It was awesome.(I had very little swelling afterwards which the Doctor said was normal).

Probably the coolest part of my final visit was that it turns out my Surgeon is also an avid mountain biker, so he hooked me up with his email and were going to try and schedule a ride.

The fact that the guy who did my surgery understands riding and probably has some level of love for the sport, gave me a sense of kinship throughout the process and speaks volumes in my mind to his character.

It’s pretty wild how things work out…

Steve

The evolution of a home gym

During my 2 month recovery from ankle arthroscopy I had ample time to think of many useless ideas.

One idea that has actually started to evolve into a pretty cool reality is my “home gym” project.

When most people think of a home gym they picture elliptical machines and treadmills.

This is not the type of gym I have envisioned.

You see I am not a "gym guy".

 I see exercise as “elemental”.

By elemental I mean that exercising outdoors does something for me that you cannot get from a temperature controlled environment, (which my garage is not).

I’m really into the idea of “functional fitness", and I want the components of the gym to reflect that.

I’m sure it looks spartan to the casual observer with everything that's available for home fitness these days, but it’s always evolving and works.

The concept began with two Thule straps hanging from the rafters of my garage. Why Thule straps you may ask?

The straps are my “DIY” ode to the “TRX” Suspension trainer which retails for $189.00.

The idea kind of took off from there and I have since added;

-A bench (incline/decline)

-A “pull-up/ dip” tower

-Padding for the floor

-Kettle bells

 I have to have my music, so while I was out with the surgery (much to my Doctor’s chagrin); I installed an old home theater system receiver in one of the cabinets and ran the speakers for surround sound. (I plug my Netbook or MP-3 player in at the DVD jack).

I picked up some cabinet handles and screwed them into a log for a variety of exercises like squats, presses and lunges. (Works well because it’s awkward to handle and you can always cut a heavier piece)

Some of the things I’m thinking about in the future include;

-A heavy bag (Not for traditional purposes)

- A 3 inch PVC pipe with water inside sealed at both ends. (These things are a trip to work with)

- Possibly a “boldering” wall down the road.

If you have any cool ideas send them my way.


Steve

“Fast Times” in RVA

So Richmond VA has received the dubious honor of being ranked #3 in the Nation for the number of “Fast Food” restaurants per capita.

According to a report by WTVR 6 news which cited a study conducted by “The Daily Beast” there are 274 fast food chains, in RVA.

The study says that's 134 fast food joints per 100,000 residents.

The news story also mentioned that a Virginia childhood obesity survey found that 60 percent of adults in Virginia are obese or overweight, and that one in three children are struggling with weight and health issues.

The issue is significant enough that a Senator has introduced legislation to expand the existing mandatory P.E. time in Virginia schools.

The Senator (who is also a pediatric neurologist), pointed out that; "For the first time in history, children who are born now will have a shorter life expectancy than those who were born before them."

It doesn’t take a pediatric neurologist to show a connection between the two…

I was under the impression that we were flanked by two “foodie” oriented towns, (Richmond & Charlottesville), both of which seem to have a vibrant local food scene with a lot of independent options.

Am I wrong in my assumption?

Are my eyes so clouded by the fact that my wife creates food that rivals most restaurants that I never saw this coming?

So what is wrong with Richmond or VA for that matter?

Seriously, what’s the deal?

Granted I am a healthy convert, I acknowledge that I “fell of the wagon” for about a decade during my 20’s.

But are we really that lazy of a society that the federal government has to mandate exercise for our kids?

Think about that idea for a minute...

If you can’t control your life then the feds will certainly accommodate you.

Am I missing something here?

Without good health (Both physical & mental) you have nothing, there is no counter argument, no devil’s advocate, no “yeah buts”. It’s what we refer to as a “fact”.

Tell me that I don’t understand.

Tell me “Just wait until you have kids of your own”.

Granted, I don’t have children but should I ever go that route you can rest assured that I won’t be using them as an excuse for my short comings.

To me, the tide rises and falls with healthy living, and not just in what you eat but how you think as well.

Think of it as a full circle, Mind, Body, & Spirit

Oh, and kids should get the chance to be….well, kids.

Steve

A Tale of Two Pit-Bulls

With the exception of women, there is nothing on earth so agreeable or necessary to the comfort of man as the dog. 

 ~Edward Jesse, Anecdote of Dogs

Looking back at previous post I realize that I have yet to formally introduce my two canine cohorts Whiskey and Ramsey.

I love my dogs so this is a grievous oversight on my part, and the hounds will receive extra kibble for my lack of vision.

First allow me to introduce “Whiskey”, affectionately named after…well, Whiskey. A 52 pound Pit-lab mix.


She’s basically a lemon in the dog world and would probably be recalled if she was an automobile.

See the problem is she leaks, A LOT, in fact she has projectile pee that can come out of her hind parts at high velocity and travel 3 feet before you can utter the word “Nooooooo!!!”

“Whiskey” is our paper tiger, and she was our first adoption after we had to put down our ‘Blitzy” last summer.

There’s nothing more enjoyable that watching her haul A** through the yard, she loves it and I love her for it.

Her speed is truly something to behold and I swear that she knows when and where to “catch air” on our trails.

I don’t think I have ever seen a dog as happy as when Whiskey gets her run on.


Then there is this girl…

"Ramsey” named after Ramsey’s Draft, is a 62 pound Pit-bull with a heart as big as Texas. She’s my girl. I would fight you for this dog.









The story of Ramsey is that my wife and I were at the National Pit-Bull awareness Day looking for a sibling for Whiskey when in strolled Ramsey laid back as ever.

She did the “doggie lean” against my wife and it was over with.
She went home with us that day.

Every single morning without fail Ramsey pops up with her two front paws and big bulbous head to wish us a good morning.

I have seen my share of "mean" dogs and have probably had more contact with “vicious” ones than most. That being said “breed specific” bans and legislation are not the answer. In fact it’s probably one of the most ludicrous things I have ever heard of.

If you want accountability then look no further than the dog’s owner, Saying a dog is responsible for being vicious is the equivalent of saying forks make people fat, are you going to ban those next?

When you hear about a sensationalized attack on the news although often times tragic, think for yourself and filter through some of the BS, there is always a back story to what you see.

Looking to adopt? These guys can point you in the right direction if you’re in the Metro Tri-Cities Richmond area.

Ring Dog Rescue


Steve