Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Still a gimp, but Boston 2010

I had my first follow-up with the doc today since surgery. I got my stitches out, and was told that things seem to be progressing alright, but we're being ultra-conservative, so I was told 4 more weeks of crutches and the knee brace, and to come back for the next follow-up in 4 weeks. No driving until the next visit, so I continue to work from home and being an undue burden on my sister for trips to the grocery store, drug store, strip clubs...you know, the usual errands one needs to do when you're laid up sick.

On the bright side, one of my father's oldest friends, who is a double amputee, who was named Employee of the Year by Careers and the disAbled Magazine, and will be honored at its 17th annual awards banquet in April, is also training to run the Boston Marathon in 2010. If he is able to run, he's asked me to be his guide for the race. I'm hoping he is able to get his training done and qualify. We're really proud of him, and looking forward to Boston next year. It should be an awesome time.

It gives me something to look forward to, and to think about, in my current state of wallowing in self-pity. I can't forget that my injury is temporary, I'll be able to run again at 100% on my own two legs by the summer (if all goes well these next couple months). People in situations a lot worse than me are still able to do these things I hope to do. I just need to try to not let these last few months get me down too much...

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Now THAT will be an interesting experience. But I don't exactly understand-what does he need a guide for? What role will you play?

-Audrey-

Jenny Davidson said...

It is hard, though. My heartfelt condolences! Nice that you've got something like this look forward to - and you REALLY will be loving it when you're able to run again regularly...

lauren said...

joe, you're not fooling us. we know you can crutch down to ccr... so it's not all bad :)

Joe said...

audrey: non-wheelchair mobility or visually impaired athletes can have "guides" that help with things during the race, such as providing direction, carrying supplies, helping with food/drink at feeding stations, etc. in john's case, i expect i'd have a bag with supplies such as spare socks, body glide or whatever he uses to protect from chafing, food (qualifying for people with prosthetics is 8 hrs, so you're out there for a long time), whatever tools he carries if he needs to make adjustments if something happens, etc. i am just guessing, but all of these seem reasonable.

the guide and the athlete are considered a team so the guide isn't scored separately. there are strict rules about interaction (no more than 0.5m apart at any time, no pushing or pulling, no mechanical means of transport for the guide).

it seems like it's a way for the athlete to concentrate on running and having someone else who can deal with the logistics (supplies, finding their way if they're blind, etc).

Ryan said...

Trips to the strip clubs???? I'll be willing to help with that...hey! I care!!!!

sherri said...

ryan - i've yet to plan the strip club trips, luckily there's one less than a mile from joe's place...perhaps next week since this week is just about full!

Danielle in Iowa in Ireland said...

Sherri, I was hoping we could hit that when I am there in March. I would like to make sure that gets put into the Danielle Does DC itinerary.

Amy said...

Wow! That is awesome about your family friend! Some people are just amazing!

And... maybe you could save your sister some trouble and just hire some strippers to come to your house? I dont know... seems to make sense to me.

Glaven Q. Heisenberg said...

Whoa! Congrats to your Dad's friend, brother! And to you for finding a backdoor way in to BQing! Sweet! Stick it to the faster foax! Why should they have all the fun.

This almost makes up for you guys letting a (pfffttt!) librarian qualify as a "scientist"!

What's next? A "Creation Scientist"?

Hope all goes well with the knee, Joe!

My word verification is "preves" but, considering the strip club talk, I think blogger is just misspelling "pervs".

Steve Stenzel said...

That's awesome about your Dad's friend!! So cool!!

Hope you continue to get better! Take it easy!!

peter said...

Get better, Joe! Good running weather is just around the corner in DC.

Brent Buckner said...

Nice that you've got a good progress report. Hope you can grit your teeth through the convalescence. Boston 2010!