For me, 2014 was "The Year of the Injury" - that pretty much tells the story.
In January 2014, I started on a new life path when I was introduced to running as part of the Blue Nose Marathon's Team Myles 2014 ambassador program. On May 18, I ran my first official 10K race. In my own humble opinion, it was a big accomplishment.
My mentor, Jeff Nearing, convinced me to keep the running going and sign up for a half marathon in the Valley Harvest Marathon on October 12. I accepted and it was an intense summer of training.
Anyone who has been following this blog will know it was around three years ago that my beautiful wife, Charlene, and I changed our ways and started down a new healthy lifestyle road. We've come a long way. Major weight loss, better shape and more active. I got back to playing hockey a few times a week, Charlene joined in with the running, we started cross country skiing and we became addicted to kayaking.
The decade prior to this change in lifestyle was pretty much injury free, but what would you expect? Hard to get injured when you're not active! But the harm we were doing was more on the inside and would catch up later in life without a change.
I visited a physiotherapist and chiropractor for the first time in my life in 2014. It was a regular routine for most of the year.
I visited a physiotherapist and chiropractor for the first time in my life in 2014. It was a regular routine for most of the year.
Injury list 2014:
January 19 - discovery of runner's nipple
April 7 - ankle roll while running in Waterloo, ON
April 17 - crash into boards in hockey game (partial shoulder separation, right side)
May 3 - hip issue following a tempo training run
August 23 - hit the wall during half marathon training - blisters on feet
September 20 - black toenail and major blisters on feet from half marathon tempo run (last run before Valley Harvest)
October 12 - Valley Harvest (Half) Marathon (painful blisters on feet)
December 22 - And, to end the year on a injury note, I had a major collision with the boards in my Monday night hockey game while racing to the puck in the corner. It occurred around 11 pm and after getting back to the bench and icing my shoulder for 30 minutes, in the dressing room a doctor on the team advised me to head to emergency as he suspected a separated shoulder.
Good news is we did win the game!
I headed to North York General's emergency department at midnight. X-rays confirmed I sustained a fully separated left shoulder. It's a very painful injury, but I have to sincerely thank Dr. Walter Himmel. He's been practicing for 37 years, most of it at North York General. He's got a great demeanor and makes you feel at ease. I like his joking ways. In fact, everyone I encountered at the hospital that evening from the triage nurse, the orderlies, X-ray technician and other nurses and docs, were very friendly and caring. I felt like I was in great hands.
I was referred to a North York General surgeon and met with Dr. Christopher Peskun on December 27 to determine if I needed surgery. Dr. Peskun is another fantastic gentleman. It was determined I have a Type III separation of the shoulder, so on the borderline for surgery. The recommendation was 'no surgery' given I am not a professional athlete or involved in manual physical labour. I gave up my dream of playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs some time ago, so I have to agree with Dr. Peskun!
Did some research on the various types of shoulder separations and it was an interesting read.
The permanent "bump" on my left shoulder will forever remind me of Christmas 2014 and my first in Toronto! 'Christmas in a sling' is the theme for this holiday season!
It drastically changed my Christmas plans. The injury will keep me from driving and travel for a few weeks so I had to cancel flights to NL for Christmas Day. It was a disappointment to not get to see my Dad, sister Jennifer and brother-in-law-to-be Pathy in St. John's. Charlene and I will plan a trip to NL in early 2015 to see everyone.
I have been off work since then, so if there is a "good" time for it to happen it is now as I got a lot of rest time. Have come a long way in the last nine days. Charlene is the new chauffeur!
Have to start a physio/chiro routine next week once the swelling and bruising subside. Won't be able to get back on the ice until early February.
So ends the year. But with all the injuries, I have to say it's been worth it. I feel great about what 2015 will bring. More adventures await!
Have a Happy New Year, one and all. Be safe tonight - careful in the corners!
April 17 - crash into boards in hockey game (partial shoulder separation, right side)
May 3 - hip issue following a tempo training run
August 23 - hit the wall during half marathon training - blisters on feet
September 20 - black toenail and major blisters on feet from half marathon tempo run (last run before Valley Harvest)
October 12 - Valley Harvest (Half) Marathon (painful blisters on feet)
December 22 - And, to end the year on a injury note, I had a major collision with the boards in my Monday night hockey game while racing to the puck in the corner. It occurred around 11 pm and after getting back to the bench and icing my shoulder for 30 minutes, in the dressing room a doctor on the team advised me to head to emergency as he suspected a separated shoulder.
Good news is we did win the game!
I headed to North York General's emergency department at midnight. X-rays confirmed I sustained a fully separated left shoulder. It's a very painful injury, but I have to sincerely thank Dr. Walter Himmel. He's been practicing for 37 years, most of it at North York General. He's got a great demeanor and makes you feel at ease. I like his joking ways. In fact, everyone I encountered at the hospital that evening from the triage nurse, the orderlies, X-ray technician and other nurses and docs, were very friendly and caring. I felt like I was in great hands.
I was referred to a North York General surgeon and met with Dr. Christopher Peskun on December 27 to determine if I needed surgery. Dr. Peskun is another fantastic gentleman. It was determined I have a Type III separation of the shoulder, so on the borderline for surgery. The recommendation was 'no surgery' given I am not a professional athlete or involved in manual physical labour. I gave up my dream of playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs some time ago, so I have to agree with Dr. Peskun!
Did some research on the various types of shoulder separations and it was an interesting read.
The permanent "bump" on my left shoulder will forever remind me of Christmas 2014 and my first in Toronto! 'Christmas in a sling' is the theme for this holiday season!
It drastically changed my Christmas plans. The injury will keep me from driving and travel for a few weeks so I had to cancel flights to NL for Christmas Day. It was a disappointment to not get to see my Dad, sister Jennifer and brother-in-law-to-be Pathy in St. John's. Charlene and I will plan a trip to NL in early 2015 to see everyone.
I have been off work since then, so if there is a "good" time for it to happen it is now as I got a lot of rest time. Have come a long way in the last nine days. Charlene is the new chauffeur!
Have to start a physio/chiro routine next week once the swelling and bruising subside. Won't be able to get back on the ice until early February.
So ends the year. But with all the injuries, I have to say it's been worth it. I feel great about what 2015 will bring. More adventures await!
Have a Happy New Year, one and all. Be safe tonight - careful in the corners!
If you get anymore injuries I'm going to start calling you Joffrey Lupol. ;)
ReplyDeleteYour accomplishments in 2014 far out weigh your setbacks. Injuries and setbacks are your best form of motivation. Here's to success in 2015!