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Major Set-back

From Walking & Biking Across America in Alexandria, United States on Mar 21 '07

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This excursion, which seemed to take off like a shot and purr along swimmingly has now stalled for a week- and for good cause.  A combination of ankle pain and bad weather prompted me to find refuge with my family in DC.  They were very good to get me quickly off my feet and to a sports-medicine/orthopaedic surgeon.  He has assured me, with the assistance of an MRI, that I made a distinct "training mistake."  This was primarily the presumption that walking is not difficult.  Apparently, for joints and bones, walking a mile is no easier than running a mile and there is a very strict rule- that one should not increase their weekly milage by more than 10%.  So if I meant to walk 65 miles in a week, I should have walked nearly 60 the week before instead of, say- 10 or 12.  And 50 miles the week before that, etc. etc. Not that I should necessarily regret spending my days poring over maps and campgrounds and books and weighing my every band-aid to the nearest 1/2 ounce-- but my body was caught off guard and I have developed a stress fracture.  My bone is not actually broken, but it is full of fluid and I will need 3 months of rest for it to fully heal.  This is not what I had in mind for week 3 of my grand adventure.  I will now spend week 4 re-evaluating my plan and deciding what to do and where to go next.  I am certainly disheartened, but I am not in the depths of dispair.  Thank you so much for all of your prayers and love.  It will be a hard decision to make, but I have to come in from the cold for a while. For now, I'm keeping my foot up and watching a lot of Jane Austen.


pianofemme avatar pianofemme on Mar. 23, 2007 @ 01:55AM said
Oh, Erin. So sorry about the bone problem - nuts! Just now I read every entry from the beginning and now there you are. Being. A good way to be, by the way. Yes, rest, heal, enjoy the respite. You'll know what to do when the time comes. Indulge. I'm so glad you have family and friends strewn hither and yon. Your writing is delightful. Looking forward to more. All the best, Darcy 3/24 Ashland, OR
soonarooney avatar soonarooney on Mar. 23, 2007 @ 01:55AM said
HOLA RODENTIA! My honey and I just read outloud all of your entries over latte and bananabread and now we are picturing you enjoying some black tea, wearing an orange sweater, with your feet way up. RICE! We hope it heals quickly for you and that you enjoy where you are at for now. Portland is blooming but I'm still unemployed. Sean saw a record amount of BOPS with a group of rowdy teens on a springbreak trip to Malheur. Thats it for us. Keep up the bloggin - even sittin still can be an adventure! Lots of Love to you, S&S
Sheep Woman avatar Sheep Woman on Mar. 23, 2007 @ 01:55AM said
Hi Erin -- So sorry about your foot, but I am glad that you are in the rest mode for the momemt -- Rest is good -- and the decision about "next steps " will appear clear in a little while. The other day a little ram lamb who I named Roden was born. He is a deligtful, vibrant little back sheep and he is already bouncing all over the place. He is named in your honor. You will be bouncing soon

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