Scar Tissue

My first active release session confirmed what I thought - lots of scar tissue. Plus, all of the surrounding muscles and tendons are compensating for the weak ones damaged when I fell in January. It was a painful session, but totally worth it. I also got more rehab type stretches and exercises to do each day. At least there is a plan. I like plans.

Off to Flathead country tomorrow for the dreaded court date. Months in coming, I'll be so relieved when it's finally over!

Active Release

While training for my first marathon way back in DC, I had trouble with the piriformis muscle. Basically, a major pain in the butt. Our "coach" directed me to a chiropractor specializing in Active Release Technique. Oh, the intense pain, but wow, what a quick recovery! Weeks later, I went back after my calf muscle seized up on me. The same guy figured out it was really caused by scar tissue in my foot. Sure enough, the problem was addressed and I was good to go. Why this recap?

Because...I (Steve) found a reputable A.R.T. guy in Great Falls, and I have an appointment scheduled for Friday!!! At first, it seemed crazy to drive 80 miles for an appointment, but I don't want just anyone messing with my achilles tendon. Plus, it probably took me just as long getting to an appointment when living in the city at rush hour! I'm looking forward to the pain if only to be able to run again. :)

New Pictures

Here's a few Buddy pictures...

Steve and Buddy on the new connector trail near our house. Montana Conservation Corps knocked this one out in less than a week. From the end, it's only about a quarter mile from our new favorite "secret" trail.

Steve and Buddy with the new super vacuum. We were in disbelief seeing how much dog hair was really on our floors. Thanks for the tip Mom and Cassi!

The view from our evening walk.
Buddy and Eby tearing down the trail together.


Rebecca and Buddy taking a breather.
The Eby tongue. She's is truly adorable and always happy it seems.

More pictures later!

Our summer

The summer is in full swing - organizing a therapeutic summer program (a.k.a. trying to get teenagers out of bed for a few hours), preparing to testify in court for what I affectionately call the case from hell, settling into a new house with small updates along the way, managing a full work schedule combined with dog runs, dog walks, dog crate breaks, dog entertainment, etc.

Buddy and I are managing - well he's managing, I'm tired - a 40 minute run every morning, plus at least two 30 minute walks each day. They are good walks; no strolling for this family. Melissa, you'd be yelling at us! It's too bad I'm not training for anything, because my Garmin says I'm getting faster. Steve's recognized the days when I can't move, and has been gracious enough to take the early poop shift. Sleep, so nice.

Last weekend, we took Buddy up to Belt Creek for some fly fishing. This is one of my favorite places. It's usually cool on hot days, beautiful, but mostly just because it's one of the few places that has belonged to me and Steve together during our time in Montana. At first, Buddy wasn't sure what to think of this very loud, moving water, but he ventured out. He also waited patiently for me while I caught (yes, and released) a couple cutthroat.

He enjoyed walking in the cool water, at least until his hind legs slipped into a deep hole. He was OK but seemed a bit miffed. So, he decided to go sniff some pretty flowers instead. He crashed during the car ride home. With good reason. After all, the day had started a bit traumatically, at least for Iris. It seems he had a few too many liver treats during training, which led to some bathroom issues, which then led to some particularly nasty happenings once he got in the car. After getting less than a mile from home, we quickly had to head back, where a hose, soapy water, and towel resolved the stinky part. If I had only known, way back in Atlanta where I met Gus, that I'd be one day washing a dog's butt... Thank you Faith for breaking me in gently!

We've also finally managed to find a toy that makes Buddy want to play! The Flying Squirrel lasted a couple days, the frisbee once in awhile, but this ugly, crazy, fuzzy bird won his heart immediately. He now fetches, tugs, shakes, and tries to bury, probably kill, the darn thing. We're so proud and happy. :) Rebecca also introduced us to a wonderful new trail. A quiet place without people, where Buddy can run free even if only for a short period of time. He secretly hopes for a chance encounter with a deer, but usually settles for whatever time outside he can get.

And he almost always comes when he's called, even today when the deer were taunting him. He's torn, but loyalty to Iris wins out. Which, of course, makes me love him even more.
The one thing I don't have a picture of, is when he curls up with Steve on the couch. He's happiest when he's with his pack, and so are we. Just how sappy is that?

I promise that one day this blog will return to running. With the stack of injuries I've had this year, the running is anything but consistent. At least it's fun to have a diversion for a bit!