Thanks (and a story)

I want to thank everyone for the very helpful comments on the previous post AND also for the e-mails that some people sent as well. It means a lot to me. Thanks a bundle!

This past week, I’ve been stretching and foam-rolling once a day. At night, I ice in bed, right before going to sleep. And it IS getting better. Yesterday, I don’t think my achilles hurt at all. Today, I might try doing some calf raises. I’ll keep up with the stretching, but I won’t overdo it (some of you mentioned that over-stretching it is a possibility, and to make sure I don’t go nuts with the stretching).

The foam roller and I have been getting along OK. He beats me up, and he sometimes hurts like a bastard, but it’s a “good hurt.” Here he is, sitting in the corner of my living room:

I swear, one time I turned around quickly, and he looked like this:

If you’ve used a foam roller on your IT band or Achilles, you KNOW what I’m talking about.

Also, 2 days ago, I went for a little swim to see how my heel would hold up. Andrea, the swim coach, was in her office when I got down to the pool. I asked her about water running. “So do I basically put on one of those belts and make a running motion in the deep end?” She said, “Yep, that’s about it.” She gave me a few more tips: don’t lean forward too far, really get the arms into it, and don’t point your toes like your swimming - keep them flexed like you’re running.

I warmed up for a few laps, then did about 800 meters of freestyle, and then tried water running. Andrea was getting ready to start an old lady water aerobics class - you know the one. It’s the one that takes up too many lanes and all the ladies reek like Aqua Net and White Diamonds perfume. Andrea told me (with a smirk) that they were going to be doing some water running during this class, and that I could join in. I smirked back and said, “No thanks...”

As I started “running,” Andrea kept looking down to me from the other side of the pool. I thought she was going to shout something to me about my form, and I was ready for any sort of help. After a few minutes, she did: “HEY STEVE – lean forward a little more. And really get those arms going!” I followed her advice, and it instantly felt more comfortable. I ran for a few more minutes before having to get to work.

I hopped out of the pool just as the old ladies were running their way into the deep end, ready to boot me out. Andrea actually pointed out one of the ladies to me from the side of the pool: “See how Gladys is angled just a little bit forward and her arms and legs are moving so far in and out?” I saw it. It was beautiful and perfect. Gladys had shown me the way of the water runner.

I’m about to say something for the first and last time on my blog. Get ready. Here it comes. Never again will these words be uttered. Alright, here it goes: Thanks you, 60-year-old Gladys in the saggy baggy swimsuit, for showing me proper form in the pool. You have been a vital part in my recovery process. Thank you for your help.

Wow, that felt weird.