When life gets in the way. Don’t you hate it? You had this awesome plan laid out, of what you wanted to do, what you want to achieve, who you eventually want to be. And then something bad happens. Or you get caught up in the day to day stuff- making dinner, exercising, running errands, even watching TV. I’ve neglected my blog because of all of those distractions. I apologize, but here you go. Here is what you missed hearing (when my life got in the way):

Been exactly 3 months and one day since surgery. I bought a road bike. I have rode up the Maroon Bells a few times and Independence Pass a few times. I sometimes have images of splattering on the ground while riding downhill pretty fast or getting hit by a car from a driver’s lack of attention to the biker off to the side of the line. That’s beside the point- I’ll save fear for another day and another blog. I surprised my mom and sisters in Chicago for Mother’s Day and spent a weekend eating, drinking and shopping. Amber was in Hawaii and I neglected PT for a week, making my knee stiff and sore, which made me realize how important PT has been for my recovery. I’ve read a book, Unbroken, and it’s the only thing that has gotten me through boring workouts on the cardio deck, when I don’t have time to get out on the bike. I babysat a 9 year old, Macy, for a week, making elaborate crafts strictly off Pinterest and took care of a 170 lb Newfoundland dog named Arlo who made babysitting a 9 year old feel like a breeze. I’ve gone through some personal stuff and spent a lot of time thinking about the rest of my life.   A lot of time pondering these questions over way too much wine with friends who are figuring it all out themselves. Spent a lot of time with a guy who makes me feel like a million dollars every day. I’ve lived a lot of life for being a girl with her life put on hold.

Surprise, Mom! What a fun night. No one knew I was coming…sneaky. 

Sweet wheels. Literally been my lifesaver- my lovely road bike.

Paper plate fish making? Too bad I had more fun doing this than Macy.

Yesterday was my three month follow up with Dr. Pevny. I popped a couple of Motrin to make sure I could get my knee to it’s fullest extension (maybe I shouldn’t admit that, is that bad?). Amber was there, doing her rounds and shadowing the doctor. We chatted about my left knee and how I was progressing really well. Since surgery, my right knee has compensated for the other. I have had knee pain in that knee for about 3 years now and it gets progressively worse with each passing week. Carrying my laundry basket down the stairs is a sharp pain like you wouldn’t believe. I’ve been in tears in Physical Therapy. Even if they are the Awesomest, some things are just unfixable. Dr. Pevny, Amber and I discussed it for a couple of minutes and came to a conclusion: I needed a knee scope surgery. Basically, he will go in through two little holes, shave down the cartilage and smooth it out. 20 minutes. Put under, crutches for a day. In and out. Easy as pie. One week from today.

I know, really? Another knee surgery? On the other knee? At this point, I just want BOTH of my knees to feel great every day. I don’t want to cringe if I leave something in my house, dreading the 20 stairs I will have to come down after. I want to be able to run again, to hike, to even one day do a triathlon. I’ve hit my deductible. The recovery of a knee scope is 2-3 weeks until I can get back to most things and 6 for a full recovery. It will put me right around 19 weeks from the ACL surgery. And I do believe Amber said at 20 weeks, I can mountain bike?! Seems to be coming together quite nicely. As nicely as two knee surgeries and a cyst incident all in five months can be…I guess…

Maybe I will let my life get in the way for a little bit. Focus on these other things, take my mind off of 6 more weeks of rehab and another surgery, another set of endless medical statements and bills. The good news is they got hot pink kinesio tape in PT, so my knees are covered in criss-crossed designs which definitely fit my personality. (You know, bubbly and fun?? Right? RIGHT??) Summer is just about here which means “go time” for those of us who live in a seasonal town. It might be insanely busy, but at least these things will be a distraction for the time being. Something else to focus on… 

That is, in between my PT sessions and the exercises that will allow my body to one day feel great again. I can’t wait for that day.

Seriously, hot pink? Of course I want hot pink!

Conversation between my grandma and some of my family at lunch while I was in Michigan for Easter:

Grandma: “I’m going to start walking…Monday, after Easter.”

All of us: “Good for you Grandma! Get out there! Go get em!”

My cousin Nicole: “Grandma, do you even have shoes to wear for walking?”

Grandma: “Yes! Of course. They are still in the box from when I bought them from Lady Footlocker when Aunt Kristi worked there.”

(Note: Aunt Kristi has not worked at Lady Footlocker since 1994. Meaning my grandma has not gone for a walk in at least 18 years. Second note: I love you Grandma and I’m very proud you are beginning to exercise!)

Last weekend, I went home to Michigan for Easter to spend a much needed weekend with my family. Although my mom was very concerned about my knee on the plane (not concerned enough to get me an aisle seat), it was totally fine. I had enough leg room to do ankle pumps and stretch my legs. I had packed in my carry on the knee brace against my will- Amber and Dr. Pete both recommended I wear it at Tigers Opening Day because of the crowds and the hazard known as thousands of drunk people. My friend Lisa also recommended I wear the knee brace so we could get a seat at the crowded bars out of pity. Ok, I will do it for the bar seat.

Just frolicking through Detroit with my knee brace.

The Michigan weather was surprisingly good. Usually, I wake up to overcast skies or rain and it was sunny and nice the whole time. My favorite game to play while driving around in Michigan is to point out the scarce amount of people exercising. I see a jogger and yell out “look at that guy, good for him!” My family gets extremely annoyed and Lauren even left me saying she doesn’t want to hear the word “exercise” for a very long time. I have been especially aware of it lately because I can’t exercise the way I used to right now, so I am extra sensitive to all of the able bodied people around me who are not active. (Yes, this includes you Grandma! Although it is Tuesday…so should be Day 2, right?)

Opening Day was a success in that I did not get trampled by any drunk people, trip on my own shoes (always a risk I take anytime I so much as get out of bed) and watched the Tigers pull out a win from the comforts of my bar stool thanks to the pity of the knee brace. A couple of times I tried to ditch that horrible device in the streets, but my friends always picked it up with disapproving shake of their head and made me put it back on. We had to walk about 15 minutes to the car after the festivities. On the flat streets of Detroit. I was winded. It was depressing.

Some of my besties in Detroit for one of my favorite days all year, Opening Day. Sidenote: The Tigers swept the Red Sox. RARRR!!

All in all, the trip home was great. I managed to switch my seat on the way back to a window so at least I could stretch out and even have a little head-bobbing sleep session on the 6am flight back. The “medicine” of family and lifelong friends is something that can’t be replaced or imitated and all of a sudden my knee is feeling better. My limp is almost unnoticeable I even found myself beginning to jog up the stairs today. (I stopped as soon as I realized what I was doing!) One of the PTs at The Awesomest Physical Therapy on the Planet said that 8 weeks out (I am 7 weeks out tomorrow) is when people do start to get hurt because they feel good and the mind feels like the body can do certain things that the knee might not be necessarily ready for yet. Needless to say, I am looking at purchasing a new road bike so that the second I get the green light to bike outside, I will be out on the open road.

Living in Aspen has given me the privilege to be surrounded by people who are, if anything, overly active. People who are motivated and think of exercise as just a part of their day. I have learned that that isn’t necessarily the case in the rest of the country. I thought about exercise and fitness fairly often while I was home. (I mean I work at a health club in one of the fittest areas of the country, can you blame me for having these thoughts?) I thought about my almost 90 year old grandfather who has trouble walking around the block- something that frustrates him to no end because he has been so active his whole life. Those of us who can’t exercise or at least in the way we want to. Then I thought about all of the people who say they don’t have time, they are too busy, they hate to do it. And then there are the people like my grandma, who want to start and all they have to do is pull the old shoes out of the box. (Assuming the 18 year old shoes are still intact.) I wish all I had to do was pull the shoes out of the box. I am sure my 90 year old grandfather wishes that too. For now, I will have to continue to take notice of the joggers in Michigan, live vicariously through my friends hiking up smuggler and encourage those around me to be active. Staying active is the key to staying young and living longer, I truly believe that. And everyone should have time for that. (Note: If you are entering what you might call the “Third Act of your Life,” I highly recommend you read the book, Younger Next Year. It just might change your life) 

Man, I can’t wait for that road bike.