February 03, 2015

Stress fracture; and a new addition!

So, today was my podiatrist appointment. Since my ankle was taking so long to heal, I made the appointment just to get an x-ray and "make sure" that I didn't have a stress fracture or something like that. 

They did an x-ray, and then the doctor maneuvered my foot a bit to see where the pain was coming from, and of course, I didn't feel any pain--figures! I told him that the pain is just when I run, and it's on the side of my leg, just above my ankle. He checked my x-ray, and lo and behold, I have a stress fracture!

The fracture is on my fibula, right where I told him that it hurts when I run. He told me that there are three things you can do for a stress fracture:

1) Rest
2) Rest
3) Rest

He said they typically take about 6-8 weeks to heal, and that I shouldn't do anything that hurts. So if running hurts, don't do it (obviously). Since the water running doesn't hurt, that's fine to do. Walking doesn't hurt, so that's fine as well. 

He is certainly not a runner, because he said that he recommends that people *don't* run--ever. That it degenerates your bones, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. You don't just wake up one day needing a knee replacement--it's from years of abuse (namely: running). I don't know if I believe all that, but I do know that I'm not going to stop running. It's worth it to me! My dad was never a runner, but he just needed a knee replacement. Not running doesn't guarantee anything. 

I told him that not running isn't an option for me, and I briefly explained my history. He told me some suggestions for not getting the stress fracture again, including stretching, and not overtraining. Also, trying not to run on concrete, but on a softer surface (trails--I wish we had some around here! I'd love to try it). 

So basically, I just need to keep doing what I'm doing, and the fracture will heal.

Now, for some fun news! Today, we adopted a dog :)

We've been thinking about it for a long time, and seriously considering it ever since Paolo died. We were trying to decide if we should get another cat, or if we should wait a bit and then get a dog. I really loved the idea of having a dog to walk a couple of times a day. I like to walk, but it feels rather pointless sometimes; and with a dog, I'd feel like there was a reason to go out for a walk. After going to the Better With Pets Summit for Purina, I've been thinking about getting a dog even more. 

I've been researching breeds online, and trying to figure out what would be best for my family. I have read through SO many little bio's online of dogs that are in the shelters around here. Today, Jerry and I went to the shelter to check out a few that we were interested in. Going to the shelter is so heartbreaking. I wanted to take home several of the dogs, and all of the kitties. 

We walked through and looked at all the dogs they had, and then we asked to see three of them in a separate room, so we could interact with them. The first one that came in was adorable, and the first thing we noticed was how calm he was--he didn't jump up on us, or bark, or anything. We played with him for a few minutes, and I was thinking that he had to be the dog!

Until they brought in the second one. A black lab/chow mix, about one year old. He was just as calm as the first dog, only he was really affectionate. He reminded me of a cat, how when you pet him, he would just fall over and lay on his back to let you pet his belly. After interacting with him for a little while, we decided that he was definitely the one, even before seeing the third dog.

I was concerned about how he would be with cats, though, so I wanted to walk him in the cat room to see his reaction. He was so laid-back! He walked in, and his ears perked up when he saw the cats, but he didn't get aggressive or lunge at them or anything. We were totally sold on this dog!

We filled out the application, and waited around while they processed that. There were several dogs in the waiting area, and ours (who they named "Louie" at the shelter) was so calm. He wasn't barking (actually, I was wondering if he wasn't physically able to bark, because I hadn't heard a peep out of him), and he even laid down on the floor to wait with us. The woman working there took a picture of us before we left, and I didn't know it was for Facebook--before we even got home, a few friends said they saw our pic and wondered if we got a dog! haha


On the way home, we decided to name him Joey. Louie was cute, but we just had to stick with the Friends theme ;)

We stopped at PetSmart on the way home to buy all the doggie stuff we'd need for him, and he was an angel in the car. We took him into PetSmart, and he interacted with other dogs very well, too. As soon as we got home, I gave him a bath, because he smelled terrible. I filled the tub, and he happily jumped into it. He let me bathe him, and then as soon as I toweled him off, the kids got home (they had a snow day today, but they were at a friend's house while Jerry and I went to the shelter). They were REALLY excited, and as soon as they played with him, they fell in love with him, too.



Meanwhile, in the cat tree...


Phoebe and Estelle initially hid from Joey, but Chandler is too old to give a crap about who comes in here, so he didn't let the Joey phase him at all! Eventually, I got the other cats to go sit on the cat tree, and they did okay. Joey is definitely afraid of the cats--he'll sneak close enough to try and catch a whiff of them, but jumps back if they so much as look at him.

Joey's been doing great so far, and I'm SO glad we decided to adopt him! He's such a sweet (and well-behaved!) dog. He's cuddled up next to me as I type this, actually...


He hasn't had any accidents in the house (so far) which is nice. I'm excited to take him for a walk tomorrow!

97 comments:

  1. OMG!!! Congrats on the new dog, and I know this sounds crazy, but I'm glad you guys adopted a black dog. They actually have a very hard time getting adopted and tend to languish in the shelters. We have a black greyhound and the adoption coordinators told us that people tell them they don't want a black dog because they look "evil". Stupid. And I am sorry about your stress fracture, I can't imagine how frustrating that is. But I'm glad you know what it is now and can properly treat it. I had a podiatrist tell me 4 years ago that I should never run, and clearly I didn't listen to him either. ;)

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    1. He's so pretty! I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't want him because he's black.

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  2. We adopted a sweet black dog 12 years ago! She was an older puppy too - about 8 months. Best dog ever. I LOVE my cats but there's just something about a dog!! Oh and I totally know what you mean when you say you want to bring home all the animals! I always get so sad seeing the kitties in cages- sometimes for years! It's so sad.

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    1. It's so interesting already to see the differences in personalities between cats and dogs--very fun!

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  3. He's adorable! Congratulations!

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  4. The look on your cat's face is priceless! Congrats on such a sweet dog.

    Your doctor's opinion about degeneration is very interesting. I turned 50 last year and had my first bone density scan. My bones are A+ and my doctor said running for nearly 20 years has helped. But I'm sure genetics is part of it, too. Hope you heal soon and get back to running.

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    1. Yeah, I really don't believe what he said about running being bad. I'm way healthier now than I was before I started running!

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  5. Congratulations on the dog! That's so exciting. And I'm really sorry about the stress fracture. At least you know what's going on now, though.

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    1. Thanks! I'm glad to have an answer now, even if it doesn't change anything! ;)

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  6. I've been running for 36 years. Running is not bad for you. That being said, I try to run only on trails now.

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    1. Yeah, I have a really hard time believing that running is bad--and regardless, I'm not going to stop doing it! I would like to try trails--we just don't have any around here, unfortunately.

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  7. OMG dying from the cuteness that is Joey (that's my son's name, lol). To echo another commenter, so glad you got a black dog- "black dog syndrome" is a very real and sad thing in shelters. He's precious.
    Also, sorry to hear about the stress fracture!!! I recently recovered from a broken ankle (clean break, got screws put in and everything) and it SUCKS! At least you're able to bear weight...you'll get back to running in no time! I'm not a doctor but I completely disagree that running is bad for you. I actually just read in the new issue of Runner's World that new studies are finding that knee replacements are less likely in runners!

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    1. It was me who made the black dog comment. :) I was startled when our adoption coordinators asked if we had a color preference for our greyhound. I was like "um no, it's not like buying a car", he laughed and then explained how many potential adopters reject the idea of owning a black greyhound and was telling me stories about some of the comments people made. It made me angry and sad. Of course they gave us a black houndie, and she's beautiful! The one thing I do like about black dog syndrome is that it's the ultimate creeper repellent. I have people cross the street when they see us coming, because she's so fearsome in her pink argyle sweater!

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    2. I had no idea that black dogs were less desirable! That makes me even happier that we chose him.

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  8. Congratson the dog! He will be a great family addition. Dogs are so loyal and loving. Hoping for a speedy recovery for your stress fracture. Take the time to heal properly so you don't have worse problems in the long run. Take care!

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    1. Yeah, as much as I want this to heal super fast, I'm not going to take any chances!

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  9. Congrats on the addition to the family! He's adorable.

    Rest up!

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  10. Congrats on your new dog! We, too, adopted a black retriever mix from a rescue out of Toledo 6 years ago. He is just the perfect dog. He is very laid back, randomly barks about once a month and is happy just to sit beside me on the couch all day. Dogs are great for getting you out to walk. That is half the reason I originally got a dog.

    Hope your stress fracture heals quickly!

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    1. Yes, for the last couple of years, every time I'd go for a walk alone, a part of me wished I had a dog to walk!

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  11. I cannot handle the cuteness! How precious!

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  12. How adorable is your son photo bombing in the last picture?!?! Too cute!! Congratulations on giving Joey his forever home! I'm glad you know what's going on. Just keep listening to your body & keep doing what you're doing :-)

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    1. Hahaha, I didn't even notice he was in the pic until I uploaded it :)

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  13. First of all, bless you for saving a life. And I salute your courage -- I can't bring myself to ever visit a shelter. Having said that, 99% of my menagerie are rescues from other sources. They seem to find me, thank God, because I simply am not brave enough to enter a place with all those faces. Secondly, I'm so glad to hear you have a definitive answer. And a stress fracture is better than soft tissue damage, because bones heal clean and stupid tendons and ligaments often don't. You might want to look into finding the herb comfrey to take. In medieval times it was known as knit bone, because it has bone-mending properties. Just be careful of the dosage. That photo of your cats made me LOL. But I bet they'll all be friends soon enough! KiS

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    1. Visiting the shelter was NOT a fun experience--it's so sad to see all those animals in their cages! :( Any pets that we may end up with in the future will be from the shelter as well.

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  14. Congrats on a dog! I am totally a "dog" person, I think they add a level of companionship and friendship to a kid's life that maybe cats don't (sorry!!). Sorry about the stress fracture-- but I'm glad that you know! I'm in the same boat-- missing running but not willing to negotiate on it. I HATE when medical professionals think running is bad. Ummm... tell that to kids who want to run everywhere. We are TAUGHT to NOT run. my husband, Mr J, ran EVERYWHERE as a kid and he still does (when possible)-- going to the store? Why not run there? Going to get the girls from school?? Why walk when you can run?? I have turned into this sort of person more-- and I agree! I think knee replacements are MORE likely to come from NOT running and genetics. You keep resting and you'll be back in the Altras in NO time!!

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    1. I've never really been a "dog person", but Joey just may change that. He's been amazing!! :)

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  15. Find a new doctor. Someone in sports med. Seriously. Even though he is right to rest your stress fracture, he is wrong that running kills your body. My mom needed double knee replacements, she never ran just had a body that because of how it was put together, kind of fell apart when she was 12 years old. Purely the body she was given. Yes injuries happen in ANY sport or physical activity. We learn and move on and train smarter and get stronger. Heal up fast! Stress Fractures suck! Be careful as you come back from it

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    1. I agree! There are people who need joint replacements who never ran a day in their lives, and there are people who run ultra marathons who never have health problems. I think that I was in much worse health when I was obese!

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  16. Oh this is fantastic! I love reading about pet adoptions. Congratulations! Can't wait to hear how fun he is to walk.

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    1. He's a little challenging to walk, but it was definitely more fun than walking alone! :)

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  17. How you doin? So excited for you guys and Joey AND glad to hear you stuck with the Friends theme. The cat picture cracked me up. It's as if they're saying (in a very snooty voice), "What's the big deal?" As I type this my 60 lb Bulldog is in a kitchen chair sitting at the table with me--She always stays close by and is just a wonderful companion. I adore her. I have a cat too and she is the nicest cat I have ever had. You know the difference between a dog and a cat don't you? A dog comes when you call. A cat takes a message and gets back to you. Enjoy Joey--Looks like you all won yesterday--Enjoy!!

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    1. That's so cute that your dog sits at the table with you! Haha

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  18. Congratulations!! I am beyond thrilled for you guys!! joey is so damn cute!! I just love the cat picture, they look so pissed :)

    Sorry about your foot but at least you know what is going on and how to fix it for sure :)

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    1. The cats are certainly not happy with me--they usually treat me like I'm their best friend, but they're totally ignoring me now! But they're getting a little warmed up to Joey. Hopefully they'll be back to normal when the "newness" wears off!

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  19. Yea I would find a new doctor as well, I know running(on concerte especially) isnt the best for you, but I wouldnt stop running all together! I would also suggest cross training to somewhat minimize overuse of your ankle. I do a weight training, spin etc so I am not running every day and (knock on wood) I think those things have saved me from getting injured.

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    1. Yes, I definitely plan to do more cross training from now on! I don't ever want to have to deal with this again ;)

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  20. Congrats on the dog!!! What a sweetie. He is lucky you guys adopted him. :)

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  21. +1 to finding a new doctor. There is a ton of research that running is actually good for your knees - http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/25/why-runners-dont-get-knee-arthritis/ or http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2839542/Running-GOOD-knees-actually-prevent-osteoarthritis-experts-claim.html or http://www.runnersworld.com/health/benefits-running. Any doctor who claims it is bad is a doctor who functions on gut rather than evidence - not a doctor I'd want to have.

    Also - not sure what physical activity he's recommending, but pretty much everything has some negative effects. Here's an article about how biking is bad: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/01/is-bicycling-bad-for-your-bones/ Here's an article about how swimming is bad: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/are-indoor-pools-bad-for-your-lungs/

    Anyway, probably means you should switch around the sports and not get too committed to any one thing, but it's hard to be disciplined if you're not kind of obsessed.

    And you know what's really bad for your knees? Obesity. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/11/11/adding-pounds-then-new-knees/

    Hope your ankle heals quickly! When it wasn't getting better, I was worried it was something bad.

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    1. Yeah, I don't plan on going back to him. I just chose a podiatrist near my house because it was convenient. I definitely plan to do more cross training from now on! I actually really enjoy the deep water running, and when the weather gets better, I'd like to ride my bike.

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  22. Katie

    Stinkers...sorry it's a stress fx but at least know you know... and you can can fix it ! I've had 5 over the past 30 years of running and sadly the only fix is REST.

    Mine typically take at least 8 weeks from the LAST time you attempted whatever made it hurt. My sport ortho and foot guy says the calender starts all over again if you feel pain : ( And they've been right ...ugh !

    But you do have swimming and that is a BIG plus for you.

    And now you have Joey : ) Such a cutie pie...and with time and patience I think even the kitties will learn to love him. He is a very lucky guy to have such a wonderful family.

    Give him him a squeeze for me ... enjoy him everyday : )

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    1. Ugh, that's discouraging--that means I have about 7 weeks to go! I'm glad that I can deep water run (and walk--the walking doesn't hurt it at all).

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  23. Love your new addition. He will be great company when walking. I feel a lot safer with my dogs. I know they would probably only lick a bad person, but it has been proven that are a deterrent.

    CONGRATS!!

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    1. That thought hadn't even occurred to me, but I will definitely feel safer walking alone when I have him with me!

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  24. Omg I'm so jealous! Joey is adorable! Congrats on your new doggie, I can't wait until I have enough money saved to adopt a dog of my own :)

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    1. Yeah, I was a little surprised at just how expensive everything is! Joey himself was the cheapest part--it's only a $10 adoption fee (plus a $25 deposit that is returned when he's neutered). It's all the pet supplies and vaccinations and neutering that costs a fortune! ;)

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  25. Love him - he is so cute. In 1995 I wanted to name my cat Joey but my boyfriend at the time wouldn't let me because I had an ex named Joey, so we named him Ross :)

    Sorry about the stress fracture. I had 2 in each leg in high school from running on cleats on pavement (plus shin splints and bursitis in my knees) - hence I didn't run again until I was 40. I am so mad I didn't try it earlier. All those years I missed!

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    1. Haha, Jerry wanted to name him Ross, but Ross was my least favorite "Friend", so I nixed it ;)

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  26. So sorry to hear about your stress fracture :( I had one in my shin bone when training for a marathon several years ago and they are so frustrating. Congrats on the new addition to your family! Also, I volunteer at a shelter in my area so it makes me really happy to see you share your positive story of adopting from a shelter. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I think it's awesome that you volunteer at a shelter! I had considered it, but it's so sad to walk through there and see all the animals in the tiny cages. I just want to take all of them home!

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    2. I thought it would be impossible to volunteer without taking them all home, but it has actually been a great experience for me. I chose a no-kill shelter to volunteer at, so every time I go in and one of my favorite cats is gone, I know that he/she is in a loving home which is so fulfilling. Plus I love being able to give the kitties love when they are in their most vulnerable and scared states :)

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  27. this sounds mean but i am SO glad you have a fracture! i was so worried you'd go and they wouldn't be able to give you any answers. now it all makes sense, you can stop trying to run and let it heal, and then you'll be good to go! i HATE that actual M.D.s still tell people that outdated and untrue myths about running. There is SO MUCH science that contradicts what he said!!! ugh!!!

    I love dogs and spent all my grad school years working in rescue. Cats are usually the harder sell than the dogs, so you'll be fine :) A few swats to the nose and they'll all work it out. Him laying down for belly rubs is a great sign, although it can also be somewhat a sign of submission. Not bad, but with the not barking and stuff it'll be important to keep an eye on him for hidden anxiety issues once he gets comfortable in your home. Luckily, since you are SAH mom, you won't leave him for 8 hrs and have to worry about a destroyed house (which my love bug did to me!, separation anxiety is the worst!). Make sure he gets his heart worm and flea/tick, up to date on all his medical, etc. He is adorable and you guys are awesome!

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    1. I was actually relieved to hear it was a stress fracture as well--at least I know what it is and that it WILL heal by resting it!

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  28. He is so precious! Congrats on the new addition, and for adopting, definitely the best.
    I had a metatarsal stress fracture after NYCM and by the time I went in 3 weeks later it showed on the xray and was healing. I was in a boot for 2-3 weeks and running a little bit after so you'll get there but definitely rest!

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    1. The doctor said it looks like it's healing, so I'm glad about that! I just want it to heal faster! ;)

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  29. I agree with the other comments that your doctor doesn't sound like a good fit. I totally support resting that stress fracture, but I don't think a doctor who doesn't believe in running is in the best position to give you advice. And I love the picture of the cats! They're like, "Who IS this stranger in our home and can he please go away now???"

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    1. Yeah, I'm not going back to him. I just chose a podiatrist that was close to my house, but he definitely isn't a good fit for me.

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  30. Congrats! He looks like such a sweetheart. Hope your ankle heals quickly, and in the meantime you'll be able to find new walking routes with your buddy!

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    1. Yes! If I'm going to be injured, this is a great time for it--it's freezing cold and icy, and we have a new dog to get settled :)

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  31. I'm sorry about the fracture and hope your ankle heals quickly. And and huge welcome home to Joey! Congratulations on your new family member.

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    1. Thanks! I'm hoping my ankle heals super fast. I never thought I'd be so excited to go for a run ;)

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  32. I remember reading about a study that negates the "running is bad for you" theory that your doctor told you about. I don't have the link, but basically it followed runners for a long time (like 20-30 years) and found that the runners who ran the MOST (the ultramarathoners basically) had the best bones and health. The article showed that by running you actually strengthen your bones/ligaments/tendons, etc.

    Anyway, congrats on adopting a dog! I am a huge advocate of adopting pets and am always glad to hear when a shelter dog or cat finds a forever home. I adopted a retired racing greyhound 3 years ago, and he's the joy of my life!

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    1. Yeah, I'm not sold on the "running is bad for you" idea. Even if it was, I wouldn't be able to stop! ;) I'm just going to be as smart as I can about it.

      I've heard great things about retired greyhounds! That was one of the dogs on my radar when researching breeds.

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  33. Holy crap that is a cute dog. I'll tell you what - I never truly loved walking until we got our lab, Milo. It's so fun to watch your dog have fun on a walk. I'm so happy for you guys! Also, nothing is cuter than little boys and dogs together, IMO. :)

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    1. Yes, the boys just LOVE Joey! This morning, Joey was sleeping on top of Noah's backpack full of books, which they thought was hilarious. And then he went and laid right on top of Eli to sleep ;)

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  34. Adorable pup! Walking with him is going to make it much more fun to walk - no so much like you "have" to while you rest from running. "Meanwhile, in the cat tree..." hilarious!

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    1. It's been great so far! This morning, it was -8 degrees outside, and the last thing I wanted to do was go for a walk. But he got me up and out the door, so that's good ;)

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  35. God bless you for saving a furry life!!! And I totally agree with the other commenters about "black dog syndrome" (well, black ANIMAL syndrome in general!) -- it's very real! Black cats are not only the last to be adopted, but also always in danger because people want to harm them. I wonder if your Joey will like sandwiches as much as the real Joey? ;)

    I'm glad you know what's wrong with your ankle. Don't give into temptation!! Rest, rest, rest! :)

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    1. It's so sad that black animals are less desirable! I don't understand it.

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  36. Joey is such a cutie! I'm so glad you shared those pictures with us. The cats will come around. We had our dog first, and now she and the two cats snuggle together, groom each other, and play together. It's pretty funny looking since the dog is 70 lbs and the cat is 5 lbs.

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    1. The cats are already doing a little better. They've progressed to the lower levels of the cat tree ;) That's so cute about your dog and cats!

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  37. Congrats on the dog! He sounds like the perfect choice!

    I had a stress fracture. Actually, I had three at once. Not fun. Not at all.

    But I think non-runners have a bad attitude about running. I think that if you listen to your body, there's no reason to think you can't run for many years to come. Running gets blamed for lots of things.

    Have you ever read The Chi of Running? It's really interesting. All about running form. It might make you faster and/or less prone to injury. Worth a look, at least. I recommend it!

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    1. I've heard of The Chi of Running, but haven't read it. I'm definitely interested in reading it, though! I'll do pretty much anything to avoid getting injured again.

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    1. Thanks! I'm just glad everything has gone so smoothly so far :)

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  39. I love your son's photo bomb in the doggie picture! :)

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    1. I know! I didn't notice it until I uploaded the photo :)

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  40. Yep, I was gonna make a comment on the "black dog syndrome" I have a black lab/mix as well, and hes amazing!! But he also a deterrent for bad guys cause he looks scary and has a big bark. Hes such a baby though, he would show the burglars where the jewelry is for a potato chip...lol

    I also agree about the doc not knowing his running stuff. Ive also read numerous articles regarding how running is good for your bones and everything else. its prolly not a bad idea to try a little trail running if you get a chance, Ive not done much, but what little I have, I really enjoyed, and it is easier on you, especially after an injury. Its also great for strengthening different muscles, cause youre not running on a flat surface. Do you cross train at all or do weight training?

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    1. I wasn't cross training or weight training, but that is going to change! I really like the deep water running I've been doing, so I'm going to use that for cross training; and once the weather is good, I'll ride my bike.

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  41. Congrats--dogs are the best! We got 2 Corgi puppies in Aug. and it's been life changing :)

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    1. Thanks! We are already crazy about Joey :)

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  42. I'm so sorry about your stress fracture. Definitely take the time to let it heal and try to identify what might've caused it - overtraining, too much mileage too soon, etc. I had one stress fracture in February 2014, which sucked, but what sucked more was recovering and training all summer to get my fitness back, then getting another stress fracture in September 2014. I'm finally back running again... and trying to be much smarter about my training!

    Did they give you a boot or soft cast to wear? I think it depends on the location/severity of the stress fracture, but since your doctor doesn't sound very knowledgeable about running, I didn't know if he'd have thought to suggest it. It immobilizes your foot so the bone can heal properly.

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    1. That's one of my fears--that I'll get another one when I start running again! I'm pretty sure it was due to overtraining (I went from an 8-mile run to a 12-miler, and my body wasn't ready for that). I'm going to be super careful when I start running again. They didn't give me a boot because of the location of the fracture. He said that from the x-ray, it seems to be on the mend, though!

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  43. I read "meanwhile in the cat tree" and completely lost it at work, the look on those kitty faces are priceless... hahahahaha!

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    1. Haha, they are doing better today--they've progressed to the lower levels of the cat tree ;)

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  44. In my experience, any fracture heals better when taking calcium supplements and vitamin D. Try to find some in your pharmacy !

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  45. Congrats on the new furbaby! I volunteer at our local SPCA and it has been a fabulous 7 years and counting. If Joey is doing a lot of pulling when you walk, you might try a front-clip harness such as an Easy Walk Harness. It has done wonders for a lot of the dogs I've worked with over he years

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    1. That's exactly what I ended up buying, and it's perfect. Thanks!

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  46. So happy for you!! Congrats!! (About the dog, obviously, not the stress fracture!)

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  47. I am so happy you got a dog! I am such a dog lover! I got back to running 7 years ago, and ended up with a hip injury. I went to a physical therapist, who helped fixed the problem, but told me I wasn't built to be a runner. I should do other forms of exercise. I found a coach will willing to work slowly with me. Since then, I have run many 5 and 10 k's, 7 half marathons, 7 triathlons, and am training for my first full marathon in may. The old hip injury has never reappeared! I am so happy I didn't listen to that therapist!

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    1. That's really nice to read right now. Thanks so much for giving me some hope! ;)

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  48. Just catching up on reading your blog Katie. How old is Joey? Did they give you any information about his history? He's adorable:-)

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    1. Thanks! He's about a year old, but the shelter didn't know anything about him. He was brought in as a stray, and nobody ever claimed him. I wish I knew his history!

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