He Went Big So We Stayed Home

I was trying to come up with an amusing title since no-race weeks mean boring blog titles. The premise behind this title? Well, Friday afternoon, John went big on a ski jump at Cranmore. His ski caught on sticky snow, then he got some decent air. Came down on his left side, tumbled to the right...and CRACK. Clavicle broken in 4 places. Our trip to Texas was cancelled. So here I am at work with snow in the forecast for tonight and temps below zero. Yeah, I'm pretty bummed, but I'm not holding it against John or anything. Accidents happen. I rebooked our flights Friday night to Hilton Head in the near future. Just picked it on a whim since it didn't cost anything extra to book to Atlanta from Boston. Originally wanted to go to my childhood "second home" on St Simons Island, but it's sadly turned into a hoity-toity place for rich people. So I searched the islands and landed on Hilton Head. Cheaper and way more fun for a kid. Surprisingly, I've been on so many of the surrounding islands, but not Hilton Head. So it should be fun.

So anyway, I just happened to be waiting out front of Cranmore to pick John up when I got a call from his phone. I had had a bad feeling in my gut all day that he was going to get hurt. No joke. I really did. When it wasn't his voice on the other line, I knew right away something had happened. I walked over to the First Aid Room to find him in there with ski patrol. Tears in his eyes and his arm in a sling. I was really happy they called me before they called the ambulance. That was the last thing I would have wanted him to take. I got his stuff with the help of Margaret, one of the school chaperones, and we drove to Memorial. He was in SO much pain due to constant muscle spasms, and it took awhile to get him back in the ED. They were insanely busy, so we waited awhile. He got some relief from morphine which was pretty funny since he turned goofy. Fortunately, the muscle spasms stopped. He made this EMT mom very proud by answering all the questions thoroughly. He did the pain scale and the pain description. Even knew the exact last time he ate. He was able to tell the full story of events and describe the quality of the pain. Not a single "I don't know." Sniff sniff. I'm so proud! Haha. The x-rays revealed a break so bad that it would need surgery, but they couldn't fit him in and told us to call on Monday to schedule it. Ugh.

He was sent home in a sling, and the pain wasn't too bad. He took one pain med that night and then one the next morning but nothing after. He didn't have any trouble sleeping but stayed on the couch for two nights.

He finally crashed and Phoenix joined him.

I needed a very large beer after all of that.

He was able to shower the next day. The pain was only bad if he moved his shoulder a certain way, but I noticed the bruise he had had initially was getting worse. He let me touch it as lightly as possible, but even that caused him pain, since the bone was literally right under the surface, just scraping the underside of the skin. We learned the next day that the bone was literally about to bust through the skin!! I can't believe he wasn't in more pain than he was. You can see the two new lines of bruising where the bone was scraping.

Funny. There's an eyelash on his neck. Just noticed that because I tried to scrape it off the computer screen. Haha

So Saturday afternoon, the surgeon we had spoken to briefly in the ED on Friday called me. He said that they had room in their schedule on Sunday to fit John in. Yay!! I said absolutely. Get this over with so he can recover while he's out of school.

So Sunday morning, we drove in the snow to Memorial, arriving at 10am. We had to go through the ED since the offices were all closed. I was happy to have Jerry, one of the RNs in the ED, taking care of John. We got him in the jonny and then Jerry gave John another IV which he hated. Then it was off to the OR with Diana, an RN who would be helping us pre and post surgery. The place was like a ghost town, which I actually liked. The anesthesiologist came out to chat. He was pretty cool and put John at ease since he plays video games, too. My friend, Mel, was the surgical tech so it was nice having a familiar face. The surgeon, Dr Stone, finally got everything ready. I would learn later that Dr Stone is a resident from USC! Poor guy! Not sure what he did to receive the winter in New Hampshire punishment, but he at least is getting a ton of experience with the ski accidents. They were finally ready to take John back.

I said my goodbyes then Diana led me to the waiting room where I would wait by myself for about 2 hours. In case you're wondering, Bryan did not come to the surgery. He wanted to got xc skiing instead, and John didn't really want him there anyway. However, Bryan did end up driving up to the hospital. Called me on the phone. I told him John had already gone back so he said he was just going to leave. So he never saw John, but he did check in with him pretty often by phone later. This didn't surprise me at all, and like I said, John preferred this.

Meanwhile I just waited. Went to the cafeteria to grab lunch which was a weird sausage random tortellini thing that was really good and mashed potatoes.

After about two hours, they let me know the surgery was a success. He had fractured it in 4 places but was all fixed with a plate and 6 screws which John thought was cool. Haha. Once in recovery, I joined him. Since he was still out, I was able to rub his head, something I can't do now that he's older. It was kind of nice.

Once he woke up, he ate a muffin and had some juice then was good to go. He recovered fast! We helped him dress and then it was time to go. He walked out in no pain and as if he hadn't been through surgery.

The incision

Once in the car, he asked if we could go to Frontside Grind so he could show them his shoulder. I thought that was really cute and fortunately some of the employees he knew were there for him to tell about his arm.

He moved right back into his room and found his video game playing hadn't been hindered. Haha. I've pretty much been letting him do nothing since he really needs to rest to heal. The only time I made him go out was on Monday to dinner since it was his 13th birthday!! What a way to spend your 13th birthday. I made him pancakes earlier in the day, but there wasn't much else to do for him, unfortunately. We had planned steak and bowling in Texas, and while the bowling didn't work out, the steak part did. The Red Parka is our only real steakhouse so we drove up there in the howling, insane wind for dinner.

His steak was perfect, and it was kind of funny that we were seated right next to an old advertisement for Cranmore. I made him stand next to it for a photo. And I might just have added a few words to it as well. :)

The Parka surprised him with a free dessert! I had no idea!

So now, I'm the mom of a teenager!!!! How did that happen? How does this work? And I feel like I'm mostly going it alone since Bryan isn't very active in John's life now. Couldn't even be bothered to see him on his birthday since John didn't want to go to Frontside with him as soon as he woke up. Asked if they could go around 11am instead, but that never happened. Ugh. But Bryan still called a few times so I guess that's probably a good enough. Maybe that's all they need from each other at this point since John wasn't disappointed. Had I not been there, Bryan probably would have done something with him. I don't know. Not sure where their relationship is going. Hopefully, it's just the dad/son issues that often happen in the teenage years. I just hope I do the right things. I do wish John had a better male role model around, but that's not happening from my end. Maybe he'll get into some sort of sport and have a coach he can rely on for that. Or a future teacher. I don't know. We'll see what the next 5 years brings!

So that was the excitement for the week! The rest was just the same ol' stuff. Despite all that went on, I was still able to get my runs in. I had planned to do slightly more, but with John's accident and surgery over the weekend, I ended up with less miles than planned. Still over 50 with 51.5 so I was happy with that. I had hoped for 55-ish so not too far off. (My plan for 60 for this coming week is not looking good now, just due to the circumstances and weather, but I'll still get in 50).

Monday, 2/18- ZERO. Like I said before, 100% laziness in the morning and no other time over my 24 hour shift to run.

Tuesday, 2/19- 17.1 miles. After all of the snow we got, I knew where I could do my long run would limited. Since 113A in sandwich is very sunny and with very little traffic, it was back to there for my run. Same as two weeks prior, except I added on 2 more miles via 113. The weather ended up being amazing. Wind was in the prediction, but I only hit it for the 2 miles after I turned around and headed back to 113A. So the other 15 were in the warm sun. Couldn't have asked for a better long run day than this. I felt ok to the halfway point, but my stomach started sloshing and feeling kind of woozy for the second half. Still a decent run, though, and 3 seconds faster on average per mile than my 15 mile run here 2 weeks ago. 17.1 miles in 2:15:43. 7:56 avg pace. 1,143ft of elevation gain. Avg HR 155. Still not happy with the slow long runs, but I've given up really caring.

Wednesday, 2/20- 3 miles. At least I got up today to get something in on the treadmill before work. 23:42. I was insanely sore when I got on the treadmill. So sore that I almost stopped after .1. Took the first mile to actually loosen up. I wasn't even sure I was going to make it past that. So this 3 miles was actually a struggle. Best thing I could have done, too. Not sore at all after I was done. Phew.

Thursday, 2/21- 12.2 miles. The roads were a mess from our latest snow storm, but then it warmed up so much that the snowmobile trails would have been too soft. So it was back to the treadmill for the 4, 3, 2, 1 workout that I did last week. 4 miles, 3 miles, 2 miles, 1 mile. .3 rest in between. I decided to bump up the speed only one notch per set and that was all I needed. It felt so much harder than the week before, and the overall run was only 40 seconds faster. So at least I know where my level is now.

I hit the splits on my watch, but totally got lost in the music and forgot to hit the lap button for the first 3 miles of the 4 mile. Hit the last one just so I would know the avg pace of all 4 since they were at the same speed. 4-mile: 6:58. 3-mile: 6:54. 2-mile: 6:49. 1-mile: 6:45. Overall run was in 1:28:05. 7:13 avg pace. This workout is tough mentally, through the 3-mile especially, so I really like the challenge of it.

Always ignore the mileage. It's inaccurate with the watch, and I don't have a foot pod.

Friday, 2/22- 6 miles. I knew conditions wouldn't be great, but it was just too nice out. I took Phoenix with me for a run on Corridor 19 from Hemlock Ln. As suspected, very soft snow that just got worse with the many passing snowmobiles. It was still runnable, if very slow. Totally worth getting out and bringing Phoenix along. She hates snowmobiles so barks every time she hears one coming. It definitely helps to have her as my alarm since she's hearing them way before me. One time she stopped and barked, but I heard absolutely nothing and didn't believe her. Like 10 seconds later, snowmobiles came around the corner. I guess I need to trust her on that one since my hearing sucks now. Ran for just over an hour. Had planned 8 miles, but that was enough on such soft snow. 526ft of elevation gain.

Saturday, 2/23- 8.2 miles. Yay! The roads were finally in great shape...well, all but the usual snow/ice section through Cranmore Shores. But overall it was so nice to do this in conditions for a change. And once again, the weather was beautiful. Just ran the usual out and back. The snow/ice section wasn't too bad so my run was a little faster than last week. 1:04:41. 7:51 avg pace. 627ft of elevation gain.

Sunday, 2/24- 5 miles. Got up early to get this in on the treadmill before John's surgery. It was snowing out so I wouldn't have run outside anyway. I decided to make it quick by doing a workout. So I thought 12x400. Well, you'd think after owning this treadmill for over 6 years, I would know that the speed maxes out at 10mph, but I've never run that fast on it so I didn't. So it turned out that 400s are not a good choice for my treadmill. Haha. It was still a decent workout, but I cut it down to 8x400. The first 2 were too slow as I was trying to figure out the speed. The rest were all at 10mph even though the treadmill shows a variation in time.100, 95, 91, 90, 90, 91, 91, 91. I'm not really much faster than 90s right now anyway so I still felt like I got something out of it. 36:22 total time. 7:16 avg pace.

Intermission...

...So I wrote all of that^^^ 5 days ago with the intention of finishing it at home. And while I looked over at the computer many times, my mind control skills failed me and the computer didn't write the blog post for me. There really wasn't even much left to this post, but I have PTSD from sitting in that chair at the computer. Haha. Not that this chair at work feels much better. I would have actually written this all last Wednesday at work had the internet/cable not suddenly cut out for 3 hours due to non-payment by my wonderful employer. And I'm not kidding either! That IS actually what happened. This is the 3rd time it has happened. But it actually ended up being ok since I watched the Cohen testimony for over 2 hours instead. And wow. What a bunch of Republican douchebags in there. Like wtf. Such different personalities compared to the others. And don't get me wrong, I'm not some crazy far left person either. I'd call myself a moderate democrat. But I guess I'm a bit hypocritical since I do like Bernie. Haha. I'm actually NOT a fan of Alexandria Ocasio-Ortez. Not so much her ideas, but the way she showboats. Wants to be in the spotlight like a star ALL THE TIME. I don't like it. Kind of goes along with the idiots on Instagram. But anyway, didn't mean to steer into politics, but I really enjoyed watching that testimony. I long the day to see Trump taken down.

So where did I leave off?

Workouts

Not going through the daily bit here. I got in 3 days of LIIFT4. Chest/Triceps, Back/Biceps and Shoulders. For legs, I did the Bulletproof Leg Circuit again. Really increased the weight and felt it the next day. Did 2 days of glutes.

Once again I'm slacking on abs. I go through these phases, I guess. All into core work for like 3 months, then one day, I'm just not into the daily workouts. But I HAVE been doing the (easy) ab work in LIIFT4 3 days a week. Very minimal, but it's something. Maybe enough to maintain the core until I get into it again.

Walks & Skiing

Monday, 2/18- Ambulance Bay walk 30 minutes. Super exciting. Sarcasm.

Thursday, 2/21- Snowshoveled but lucked out with only about 2 inches of powder. Yay. Still 1hour33min, though. Attempted to take Phoenix on a snowshoe walk after that but it was pure slop. I was sinking in it in my snowshoes. So we gave up.

Gee. Wonder how that got there? Grr. His beer can recycle bin that I provided for him was literally about 6ft to the right of this photo. Hoping it was just an accident.

Racing to the Moon Uphill Ski Race- What I thought was going to be my last one since we were going on on our trip. *cry*. I got there early to do registration, and Andrew handed me the course for the night. I only glanced at it and didn't realize until someone else pointed out that he had us going down a black diamond with moguls for one section. I assumed it had to be a mistake so when Andrew walked in I pointed at the trail on the map and said, "Is this a mistake?" He laughed out loud. Needless to say, it was no mistake. From that point until the start I was actually having quite a bit of anxiety over it. So much so that I had an adrenaline rush from the fear. I was shaking a bit. Haha. Sounds so silly but the thought of moguls terrified me! Unfortunately, that adrenaline rush left me zapped of energy right at the start and I didn't move as fast uphill as usual. I enjoyed this uphill as much as I could, but with the upcoming moguls looming, all I felt was dread. The way up had a long dark section tonight, so we needed lights. I opted to bring my knuckle lights instead of a headlamp since the headlamp wouldn't work with my helmet. They turned out to be perfect! Running with them makes me dizzy from the fast moving lights, but with skiing they were fairly still and super bright.

My transition was pretty good at the summit and then the downhill began. It was an easy ski down Sunset and then a left turn on the mogul field. Omg. It looked so scary!! And it was. I was advised to go over the bumps, so I tried, but then I'd find myself heading around them. I moved so slowly down this thing talking to myself outloud. My back-and-forths were basically a straight line so I don't know how many it took me to actually get down. What I do know is that it took me a solid 5+ minutes to get through it. But I didn't die!! Yay! I made it down to the bottom and realized I was still shaking from it. Wow. Taking me way out of my comfort zone tonight. 2.5 miles total. 1,221ft for the climb. 37:29 total time. Still managed 1st female, although I don't know how. Haha. I thought for sure Liz would catch me through the moguls tonight.

Usual beer and raffle post-race. Baguette for the win. Sad this was my last night...even though it turned out not to be.

Friday, 2/22- Went from my run over to Cranmore to drop John's skis and boots off, not knowing this would be his last ski day of the year. Haha. Drove to Intervale to skate ski since it was SO nice out. Lucked out with great ski conditions and warm sun. Very few people. It made for a great ski. I was advised to try skate skiing without poles and wouldn't you know it, it felt completely natural when I did that! I think the poles made me think too hard. I have been clenching my left foot for some unknown reason. As soon as I picked up the poles, the clenching stopped. It was as if it was too much for brain with the poles. Looking forward to doing that again. Got in 5 miles. Stopped at Frontside for a free coffee and a scone on my way back to Cranmore. Good thing because it turned into a long afternoon/evening after that with John's ED visit.

Saturday, 2/23- After spending a few hours getting John set that morning, I felt like he was ok to leave behind to run some errands and take the dogs on a short walk down the railroad tracks in North Conway. I was pouting this whole walk. Even named it "Not Texas" on Strava. Haha. I did this walk at the exact same time I was supposed to be sitting in the warm sun at a brewery with John, my sister and my parents. Instead, I was dodging snowmobiles and walking on snow. Pout, pout. Haha. Only walked a mile.

With another snowstorm coming in that night (cue more pouting), I had to reduce the amount of snow that had piled up on my deck. It comes off the roof and has nowhere to go. It does this every year, but never as bad as this year. Most of it is now just ice that I can't move. I've learned my lesson a bit for next year to be more proactive about it. It's just never been an issue like it is now. Oh well. I knew I could take care of some of it. I spent over an hour up there on the snowpile, level with my roof, shoveling. I did the best I could with it. Looked back at the before photos. It looks like I barely did anything! Haha.

Before

Before

During

High above my door

Chill thought I was out there just to play stick

After! Seriously looks like I did nothing.

After. At least there was a little more light. 

Random Pics and Stuff

She looks like she fears for her life. Haha

Weird pic. My head looks too big and photoshopped on. Phoenix has no ears. Haha.

Sun teasing me for a few minutes.

We found this when we got to work. This means the crew before us backed into a snowbank. Haha. I removed it so no one would think it was us.

 A few funny memes from Instagram @thesaltyemts that I thought were spot on and hilarious.

This job really does make you hate people. 

When we got home from John's surgery, I took both dogs out on our trail. I watched Chill as he started to walk across the snow-covered brook. Little did he know it was only a thin layer of snow so he broke through. I was watching so I walked right over and realized that he was actually stuck. It was like sucking slush, like quicksand. I just kept calling him over to me so he kept trying and finally got himself close enough for me to reach down and grab his collar. Good thing I had on snowshoes for the grip. I pulled him out. Pretty scary how he got trapped so easily. I took a photo after I pulled him out.

I saw a face looking out. Very unpleased that I was talking to Chill and not her.

I was eating something then found this staring at me. The small one was at my feet. 

I'm pretty sure I had a lot more to say about this week, but I forgot it! But don't worry. Next blog on Wednesday will probably make up for it. Haha. :) It was a decent week for the most part. It ended in John's accident and surgery and us not being able to go on our trip. So that part sucked. John was sad not to go to Texas, too, but I did my best not to imply it was his fault or that I was upset with him for it. I wasn't. I would skip any trip for him. But it still made me sad which made it super fun to get on Facebook/Instagram to see all the Haves posting their wonderful vacation photos. I know that's bitter, but it did suck. I learned after a few days that if I wanted to look at stuff on there just to scroll quickly past those posts. It actually worked. If I saw any of their names, I didn't look at. I just want to read funny stuff, anti-Trump stuff and see cool photos of animals and landscapes, and fortunately there's plenty of that to go around. I like to look at the positive stuff since so much negative, horrible shit is thrown in our faces so much every day. (And yes, anti-Trump stuff is positive. Haha).

Knowing I was going to be isolated a lot of the next week, I ended up signing up for a 5k in Portland, so that will be in my next post on Wednesday (hopefully). I've made some changes to my race plans since my last post. After going through and registering for a lot of races whose entry fees were going up March 1st, I realized that my calendar was a little too much. So I've scratched the full NE Runner Pub Series off my list. Not only did it fill my calendar, but it was just too much money. I'm still doing Doyle's and BHZ 5K, though. If one of the others works out then maybe I'll do that, too, but I'm no longer committing to that. I actually registered for a good number of races for the year. I'll be adding some, but it was nice to get some of those paid for and out of the way. I only registered for the ones I'm 100% committed to (barring injury) since I could change my mind again and scratch some others off my list. Just depends on how my running is going. It's so shitty right now that I may not want to race so much after all.