Category: Hamstring Recovery

12/21/18: The Coffee Maker

Okay, yes. At a year out from surgery, it feels SO GOOD to be able to do squats & deadlifts & lunges, and go hard on my elliptical intervals. Yes. A.May.Zing.

But *no less exciting* is the fact that I can effortlessly bend over in our tiny little kitchen to retrieve the coffee maker from its nightly storage spot in the cupboard. Without thinking about my attachment. Without anticipating pain. The morning after a workout? Sure, hammies are tight. But now I proceed with caution in every move I make. Not with timidity. Not fearful movement. Mindful movement. For coffee. Cheers.

12/19/18: Hammiversary

Back on 11/5/17 I tore all three hamstring tendons off my pelvis trying to cross a soccer ball to center field in a kids vs. parents game. I was 45.

  • Tendon stumps were retracted 2.5-3cm.
  • First consult with an orthopedic surgeon in Concord, MA, USA. Unlike so many doctors across the globe, she knew before the MRI & before any bruising appeared, that I needed surgery. I still sought a second opinion at the urging of my PT in order to find someone who had done the operation more than “5-10 times.” Excellent ortho, but more of a knee & shoulder doc.
  • Surgery a month later on 12/5/17 in Boston with Mark Price, head physician for the New England Patriots.
  • Hip brace for 7 weeks.
  • PT for about 10 months.

Notes to my year-ago self, who was confined to the Christmas couch at two weeks PO:

It gets better. Really.

Wait.

Breathe.

Read.

Connect. Especially with Hamsters.

Do your PT. To music.

The pain will get better. Really. Pay attention to it. Your body communicates with it. If your body used actual words, you’d freak out.

Wait. Wait more. Beyond what you think is acceptable. You are appallingly impatient, sweetness.

Yes, you’ve lost things. You will gain better things. Trust me, love.

Distract yourself so waiting is easier. Write.

You’re going to live into your nineties; this will take about a year. Chill the f*#% out. The worst will be over in nine months. What new life can you give birth to in that time?

This is an opportunity to slow down and learn more about your body than you’ve ever known. You will need this information if you plan on living into your nineties and remaining that good looking.

You haven’t slowed down. Sitting in bed all day watching Netflix and being angry as f*#% is not “slowing down.”

Breathe instead. In through your nose for 4….hold for 7…….out your mouth, as though through a straw, for 8……..

“Your problem is how you are going to spend this one and precious life you have been issued; whether you’re going to spend it trying to look good and creating the illusion that you have power over circumstances, or whether you are going to taste it, enjoy it and find out the truth about who you are.”

― Anne Lamott

I’ve been back at my job as a personal trainer for many months. I walk 1.5 miles every other day. My strength & endurance need work. I’m deadlifting & squatting & lunging really well, but body weight only. I do prone hamstring curls with a 5lb dumbbell between my feet, and I did about 12 minutes on the elliptical last week. Super sore the following two days, but nothing terrible. I can do jack planks, battle rope slams, a couple box jumps.

My core and single-leg balance strength are better than they’ve ever been in my life.

Healing happens. Hang in.

11/16/18: Early Snow

Early snow in Massachusetts. A year ago today I’d have been sweating this, holed up in my first floor #denofpositivity on the couch as I waited the long month between injury and surgery, Nov 5-Dec 5, 2007.

Today it’s annoying because it’s November, damn it, and I was just soaking in the last colors of fall to carry me through winter.

But I’m not sweating it. I have good boots. I have great core strength & balance. The hams are attached & stronger. And I have slowed wayyyy the f*** down. Looking forward to fearless sledding with the kids and the ability to climb back up the hill after each run. And maybe a day on the slopes at Loon or Bretton Woods. Healing happens.

10/12/18: 10 Months P.O.

10 months PO. I gave in and started wearing underwear again. Definitely overrated, but…okay, necessary on certain days. A lot of sensation has returned to the back of my surgical side thigh, and it doesn’t feel so bizarre & uncomfortable anymore to have the underwear’s elastic against the incision on my glute fold. Probably not an issue so late in the game for other Hamsters, but I’m farther out on that sensory integration scale than most. I can’t wear that shit *every* day. Commando days remain. Still… progress.