Bunion and Hammertoe at 4wks

The last couple weeks have been a struggle mentally but also the 2nd toe suddenly would pulsate in the middle of the night awaking me to retrieve an icepack.  This always solved the problem but I also had to eventually stop wrapping the 2nd toe and just let swell and recover with ice.

Although I lost 5.5 lbs in the first 2 weeks, I gained 1.5 lbs back over the last 2 weeks.  I continue to watch my calories but I think I have to change up my patterns or my body overreacts to keep weight on.  I am in the mid 20% bodyfat so it is not like I don't have 10 lbs to lose! I want to lose 10 lbs so I am lighter for my marathon race in September.  I seem to make a calorie reduction work for 2 weeks and then it's a fight.  Well I'm back on the wagon, changing up my foods and exercise regime so I am hoping to drop another 4 to 5 lbs over the next month.

Swim Summary:
I rowed the first two weeks, pool swam week 3, ocean swam every day of the 4th week.  I definitely followed doctor's orders on water because I knew an infection would totally derail everything. 

Bike Summary:
I stationary biked 13-26 miles every day in the aircast starting day 4 in the lounger bike barely breaking a sweat but still turning my legs at 13mph to keep the legs moving. This was supposed to continue until the end of week 4 but I started cycling outside at 3 1/2 weeks.  Luckily my Sidi tri-shoes are easily adjusted across the toe box because I'm still very swollen but without any pain. I cycled 20 miles easy to start, then 30 the next day with small hills, the next day 40 miles with one difficult hill and today at the 4 wk mark, I cycled 43 miles.  I needed to start early because we decided to join the annual Rosarito/Ensenada 50 mile bike ride celebrating Cinco De Mayo so this event is Saturday. I'm excited for the celebration more for my perfect  foot recovery than anything! I had no issues on my training rides but I did ice the foot afterwards and I lightly wrapped the foot as well.

Run Summary
Well, not much going on here except I walked often VERY briskly with Ruby who would much rather run so she dragged me in the aircast like a sled dog! We trotted from 1 to 3 miles at a time. I can say I am nervous about the run because the foot pad is still puffy and the 2nd toe is very stiff.  However, since my weight loss was not happening, I decided to test the elliptical with the arm swingers at week 3.5.  I was able to fit into my shoes by expanding the laces and I was careful not to bend at the toes and stayed at 0% grade.  I did my first effort at 10 min/mile pace for 3 miles and it felt great! 

4week Checkup:
Dr. Berenter took xrays and said everything looks excellent.  The joints are aligned and healing nicely.  I was approved to cycle outside! woohoo since I just finished 95 miles!  He wasn't all into the elliptical yet but with assurance at 0% grade, he approved this as well.  He explained that my 2nd toe has a 60mm pin (bascically the length of the scar!) and my big toe has a screw in the joint!!! WOW! I guess I thought they were tiny!  This explains the pad swelling as well.  The big toe looks bent but the bone in the xray is straight.  I just still have swelling at the joints so it looks bowed on the side and top.  He also explained the crooked scar over the 2nd toe. He said he never cuts straight over the joint so the scar tissue will pull correctly. The pin and screw will dissolve over 6 to 12 months but the swelling will drop constantly. I lather the foot is lotion and vitamin E oil everyday to help reduce the scarring.  Dr. Berenter fit me for new orthotics which I will get at my 6week checkup and he said I could then start light jogging for 2 weeks!!  I think I will be on track to start my marathon training by June 1 so I am super happy with the progress!  Now if my bodyfat would cooperate better then all would be perfect!  Hopefully the elliptical training will help me out!