On the run, again.

I ran, today, for the first time since the DFPM-Relay on Oct. 29. It felt pretty good although I was a little slower than I was at the race. Today's (Sunday's, that is) splits were 8:56 per mile on a 5.5 mile run "around the block." No complaints, here. I did miss the Ann Arbor Turkey Trot, this year. I wasn't particularly interested in running with a half-cast that I'd been forbidden to remove by the surgeon. I'll do one of those Jingle Bell runs, instead - probably the 10K in Birmingham, MI.

The fellow who did my surgery, Stephen Haase, and his crew was fantastic! When the half-cast came off, last Monday, Dr. Haase was a little concerned about a bump on the back of my right hand (ganglion cyst?), but after some ultrasound examination, all of the ligaments (in particular, the scapholunate joint) appear intact and, apparently because there was fluid around the tendons in the area of the puffiness, synovitis was ruled out. It seems this was the result of either the initial insult (the fall) or related to the surgery. Whichever was the case, the bump has dissipated nicely.

I'm hoping to get some peri- and post-op films so I can see exactly what this bone appliance looks like. It's made of titanium so it won't set off airport security alarms and I'll be okay for MRIs. Just hope the screws don't work themselves loose!

So, I'm back on the plan to train for the Martian Marathon in April. More later.

A little comminuted, intra-articular fracture of the distal radius isn't going to stop me from running!

As I've reported, elsewhere, on TorrellaSystems.com:

On Thursday, Oct. 26, while on my noon run in Barton Park, I tripped over a chain spanning the access road to the Barton Dam and the Barton Nature Area. I landed squarely on my right hand, the result of which is a comminuted, intra-articular fracture of the distal radius - the impact crushed the lower end of the bigger bone in my arm.


I am scheduled for surgery with Dr. Steven Haase at Univ. of Michigan Hospital to repair the damage on Thursday, Nov. 2 at 1:30. The recovery period could be as many as 6-8 weeks - I don't expect to do any piano work, playing (piano, racquetball, biking, etc), or other heavy lifting with my right hand, before 10 weeks at the earliest. Dr. Haase's PA did say, though, that I would start physical therapy about a week after surgery. That should be fun.

Injury notwithstanding, I did run in the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon on Oct. 29. My relay team, A2 St. Mary's Hares, took fifth place in our class (men's open). I hope we can return, next year, and place in the top three. Miracles do happen! My arm didn't hurt at all, before, during, or after the race. I took precautions to protect it, just in case I fell. Fortunately, the run went off without incident. I was pleased to do the 5.5 miles at an average 8:36 pace. I could have run faster, had I not been running with an injury.

It's doubtful I'll be able to run in the Tortoise and Hare Ann Arbor Iron Turkey Trot, Nov. 12. I don't think the suture will have healed sufficiently for that. But who knows? The next race opportunity after that will be the Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis, in Birmingham, MI on Dec. 9. I could run in the 10K, but may only do the 5K to be with my wife and kids. we'll see. It's a fundraiser for the Arthritis Foundation (hey, I have arthritis! May as well help myself, eh!).

My next big event will be on April 1, 2007. My goal is to run the Martian Marathon (Dearborn Heights, MI) in under 4 hours. I ran the Martian Marathon half-marathon, last spring, completing the 13.1 miles in 2:07:32 and I didn't think I was particularly well-prepared. Barring another two-week stint with the flu this winter, I should be able to accomplish that goal.

Well, tomorrow is reconstruction day on the right wrist! Here's to hoping for a fast recovery!