Thursday, March 17

Back In The Saddle


As of March 15th it's been a full year since my femur injury, and I was just released from my surgeon to "go wild" -- him having declared of my once shattered thigh bone, "that's solid." I ♥ my surgeon...he did an amazing job and really gave his all despite me being "one of those" patients that he probably made little, if any, profit from. Now if we can just get me sitting straight in a better suited wheelchair, I'll be rip-roaring ready to go, but because (as anyone who knows me IRL will vouch to) I'm slightly hyperactive, while I hope and pray for my new chair, rather than letting too much time pass by, I'm going to go ahead and jump back into life with both wheels (or I guess that would be 4 wheels?) This means that April 14th - 16th I'll be competing in the bench press competition at the 2011 Southeastern Regional Wheelchair Games, and then on April 17th I'll be handcycling 11 miles in the 19th Annual Coastal Carolina University Triathlon. It's a team triathlon, where one of my friends will do a 300 yard swim, then I do 11 miles of cycling, and finally, another friend does the 5k run.
I adore the warm weather and all the fun opportunities it brings. I always say I'd rather have sweat pouring off of me than feel the slightest chill... my son is the complete opposite and dreams of one day escaping the Deep South for somewhere with snow and hats and mittens. Crazy kid!
So it's been back to the gym full force. I must admit, I was a wimp and was doing good if I made it to the gym twice a week in January and February -- did I say how much I dislike the cold...even if it's South Carolina "cold"...? I only teetered up about 4 pounds though, over the entire holiday/winter season, so I guess it could have been worse, no?
Good news is that I'm already back up to 3 sets of 7 with 150 pounds on the bench press machine. Sounds impressive, but 150 pounds is a lot easier to bench press on a machine than it is with a free weight bar...trust me!! Especially when you have balance issues, like most people with spinal cord injuries do...although most of my friends would testify that I'd be "unbalanced" even if I were able-bodied...but only "good" crazy, right? RIGHT? *looks around suspiciously*
Anyway, wish me luck as I jump back into sports & athletics, femur healed, *hopefully* a new wheelchair in the near future to help me sit right, and a fresh new outlook that the spring breeze blew into my soul. :)

70 comments:

Unknown said...

Good Luck Lovely!!

Kat's Out o'the Bag said...

You happiness just poured out of the screen as I read this today. UH-Hem -- I need a room for the weekend of the 16th next month! I am totally cheering you on.

*starts wondering if I should sew myself up some nutty outfit in honor of my support for Michele*

Caren with a "C" said...

Happy SITS Day! You are an inspiration with your upbeat attitude! I'm going to go explore your site.

Anonymous said...

New follower through bloglovin.com . I just saw your awesome feature on the SITS blog. You are such a motivation. Praying for the wheelchair funds to come in.

Robin said...

Congratulations on your SITS day. I hope it is everything you hoped for.

I sure feel lazy hearing about all the working out you're doing. Best wishes with that -- I hope the femur and everything else holds out for you.

And I'm totally with your son; give me the cold over the heat any day.

nmaha said...

Best of luck. We are rooting for you.

Sorta Southern Single Mom said...

Wow Lady! And I complain about having to lift 2 lb weights!

Happy SITS Day!

I'm heading to Myrtle Beach in a few weeks for a Girls Weekend!

Jessica said...

Happy SITS day! You are such an inspiration!

The Falconer's Wife said...

Congrats on your SITS days and good luck at your upcoming bench press competition (I'm really impressed as the only thing I've ever pressed is flowers and garlic). Again, congrats and have a wonderful Friday!

Yenta Mary said...

Oh, man, I'm exhausted just reading about all of that! I have not one athletic bone in my body, and am a graceless klutz. More power to you for being the complete opposite -- you're doing it for both of us!!! It actually sounds like a lot of fun, in addition to a lot of work, so keep us posted (ha!) on how it all goes ... :)

Just Like June said...

Congrats on your SITS day! You have an amazing outlook on life. I could always use some positive vibes!

Cheers!

Michelle said...

Happy SITS Day!

LisaDay said...

Happy SITS day. I can see why you a motivational speaker. I was moved by your words. Good luck with your upcoming events. And pass my some sunshine and warmth. It's been a while.

LisaDay

Karen@WaistingTime said...

Happy SITS day!

Joy@TPMG said...

Good luck at your competitions! And congrats on your SITS Day!

Holyoke Home said...

Congratulations on your WELL DESERVED SITS day! SO glad your femur is healed. Thank you so much for the inspiration.

Unknown said...

Happy SITS day! You are such an inspiration and I wish I had your wonderful attitude! I donated to your wheelchair fund - hope you get your new one soon. Best of luck in your competitions!

Gigi said...

Happy SITS day! I hope that your femur holds out :) Best wishes to you!

Susie said...

Congratulations on your SITs feature! I hope you enjoy your day in the sun:-)

Unknown said...

I just loved your post at SITS today. How refreshing to meet someone with such a great attitude and a great outlook on life! : )

Maggie S. said...

Happy SITS day. Congratulations on your good report from the doc. Best of luck in preparation for the competitions.

jamie @ [kreyv] said...

You are amazing and inspiring! And, now I feel lazy with all that you do! Great blog!

Tina @ Girl Meets Globe said...

Have a wonderful SITS day and a wonderful race!!

Kate Pantier @ Mommy Monologues said...

You are amazing!!!

Good luck preparing for the competitions!

And Happy SITS day!

Myrtle Beach was the first beach I ever went to, I have very special memories of that place!

Ashley Marie said...

Hi! Happy SITS day. Hope it's amazing :)

The Lucky Wife said...

WOW... sounds like loads of fun and LOTS of hard work too! Hope you have a wonderful SITS day and I hope you win your competitions!

Savannah said...

you are such an inspiration! congrats on your sits day!!!

Priscilla - The Wheelchair Mommy said...

I saw that you were featured on SITS and had to pop over!! It's always nice to meet other chair bloggers. There aren't too many of us out there :D heheh.

Selena and Anna said...

Happy SITS Day!! You are a true inspiration. Good luck with the bench press competition:-)

TLF said...

Happy SITs Day!!

Anonymous said...

I wish you the very best of luck. You're an inspiration. Happy SITS Day!

Vicki @ Grams Made It said...

Wow. I'm tired just reading about your upcoming athletic events. I've been thinking about taking a walk, but that's as far as I've gone.

I agree with you about your wedding rings being blessed. It's good to be part of a long line of love.

Have a great SITS day.

Losing Brownies said...

Happy SITS day!!

CoconutPalmDesigns said...

Good luck in your upcoming events! And congratulations on your SITS day!

I've read through some of your posts and love your blog! I'm following you now.

Cheers :-)
- CoconutPalmDesigns

Amy Layne said...

Happy SITS day!

I love your energy! So happy I found your blog! Enjoy your day!
Amy Layne (DAMY Health)

WheelchairDecor said...

Michele,
You ROCK!
Becky Jane

Antoinette Marie said...

happy 'sits' day! congrats on being feautred! glad to hear your rarin' to go again and praying you get the chair you need to go at high speed!

Antoinette Marie said...

happy 'sits' day! congrats on being featured! glad to hear your rarin' to go again! praying for you to get the chair you need to go full throttle!

Missy said...

Good luck on the triathlon and I pray that you are able to realize all your goals!

happy SITS day!

Antoinette Marie said...

happy 'sits' day! congrats on being featured! glad to see you're rarin' to go again and praying for you to get the chair you need to go full speed!

Antoinette Marie said...

happy 'sits' day! congrats on being featured! glad to hear you're rarin' to go again and praying for you to get the chair you need to go full speed!

Jill said...

Good luck, plus a huge pat on the back for attempting it in the first place. You're an inspiration!

Happy SITS Day! :)

Anonymous said...

Happy SITS day!!! I love your outlook on life, it was just what I needed to see today, thanks! :)

Have an Extraordinary Day!

KDC Events said...

Happy SITS Day! Good luck =)

Everyday Mama said...

Happy SITS Day! You have such an inspirational story to tell. I'm looking forward to hearing more about your race and adventures :)

Tiffany said...

Happy SITS Day!!!

Trish said...

Good luck to you!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on being featured on SITS today, I'm glad it led me to your blog! Good luck at the competition!

Kristy @Loveandblasphemy said...

Aw, congrats to you! This post is full of positive energy, and I love that photo below of your friend and husband. Congrats on your SITS feature!!

Unknown said...

Happy SITs day. I will be joining you in the gym soon. Keep up the good writing.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your SITS day.

Just reading your post made me tired. I'm off for a nap.

Good luck in your events.

Someday I'll Learn said...

Happy SITS day! And good luck getting a new wheelchair. I'm sure it will all work out for you.

PatriciaD said...

Congrats on your SITS day!! Good luck and best wishes on your race...how cool is that!! Awesome that you're doing this instead of "woe is me".

Anonymous said...

Love your motto - your blog background - and your attitude! I needed this today. Last week my mom became an amputee as a result of a long life with diabetes. She's just begun this new path and I admit that I've had a hard time adjusting my focus. Love your enthusiasm! Thank you...

Anonymous said...

and PS -- Happy SITS day!

Just Me said...

:hug: you are so brave! your indomitable spirit shines through!

Broot said...

Happy SITS day!! :)

myinnerchick.com said...

~~one of my favorite new blogs !!!:)

Deidre said...

Happy SITS day.

And 11 miles is a lot!

and I'd say 150 lbs is a TON. jeesh. I don't think I'd ever be able to bench press that much!

Sonja Dupor said...

You're incredibly active. Good luck in the competition. I just discovered your blog so I don't know if you've always been an active person or not but cycling for 11 miles is no small feat. (I'm not a very active person.)

I'm sorry to hear about your wheelchair. That's terrible that Medicare won't pay for it. I'm on disability and I know how it feels. Hopefully you'll be able to get one soon.

Good luck to you.

Amy DM said...

Happy SITS day!

katie said...

I'll be cheering you on from NJ! (BTW, 150 sounds like a lot to me. ;))

Continue to be awesome. You're amazing. (btw, aren't some surgons great? I know when I had my spinal surgery---despite not having a lot of money like you said---he was just fantastic.)

Kristen said...

Good Luck & Congrats on your SITS day :) Enjoy it!

Amanda Trought said...

Happy SITs day. You are definitely an inspiration, I'll be cheering for you all the way from London, UK!

heidi @ wonder woman wannabe said...

woo hoo - you GO girl! hope you have a simply fabulous sits day and a successful competition. keep up the GREAT work and amazing attitude!

-h

Kristi said...

Your attitude and outlook are inspirational! Happy SITS day!

Mama Up! said...

Happy SITS Day!

I'm pretty sure that even as you call yourself wimpy, you're way buffer than I am!!

Michele said...

You are an inspiration, from one Michele to another, good luck!!!

mypixieblog said...

I'm late but I wanted to wish you all the best and hope you had a lovely SITS day. You are such an inspirational woman and I loved reading your story. I wish you all the best in your upcoming competitions: you rock!!!

Zella said...

What an inspiration you are. Thank you.