We started our day with pancakes, at Sir Mazen’s request! He loves to stir the batter himself and is eager to do the flipping too, but that’s a little too dangerous for a two year old.
After breakfast Karen, Mazen and I went to Target. My basket was filled with little girl birthday party toys and Easter paraphernalia! Peeps for mom.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAMMIE BUZZ!
After Target we took Mazen to Jump! Third time’s a charm – he had a blast and left red in the face. Boy in motion:
Lunch was ham + cheddar sandwiches, salads and pretzels.
Guess what tomorrow is? The 10th anniversary of my foot sugery! Pretty fitting that I am running a 10 mile race to celebrate, right? Especially since before my surgery I could barely walk a mile without pain.
My surgery released a fused subtalar joint, which was apparently a birth defect that didn’t become symptomatic until I sprained that ankle in high school. I was in a cast for 6 weeks and on crutches a few beyond. It was a much bigger deal than I ever thought it would be going in and not something I would want to go through again.
I started having trouble with my foot my freshman year of high school and spent many years in on-again-off-again pain. I finally had to stop running altogether my sophomore year of college and switched to the elliptical, stationary biking and swimming as my only forms of exercise. I wore orthotics and athletic shoes all of the time. My senior year, 2005, I finally scheduled the surgery to un-fuse the joint and have tons of arthritis removed.
Six months later, I went on my first run. It was Halloween, and I remember how perfect the weather was for my first day back. I didn’t run far, but I was so thankful to be able to feel that rush of adrenaline again. There is really nothing like running, and I try not to take it for granted.
My foot isn’t perfect – it’s far from it. But my joint doesn’t hurt, and I’m able to carry on with an active life if I am careful not to put too much stress on my foot. Distance running isn’t really something I should be doing on a regular basis, but I’ve enjoyed getting ready for this 10 miler and am glad to be running it.
Lindsey @ Simply Lindsey says
A 10 miler sounds like the perfect way to celebrate! Good luck!
Emily says
Aww Good luck with your run tomorrow!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
Congrats on 10 years post surgery!
All your eats look yummy!
courtney says
Ugh, I feel your pain! I have had so many issues with my feet ( i broke both of them within the past 5 years), I am so afraid of what they will feel like in my older years.
Just a heads up, though. You can’t actually remove arthritis. You could replace joints and such to make it more tolerable, but It’s not something you can just scrape away. I wish!
KathEats says
Hmmm…it was a while ago but I remember him saying they removed it. Maybe he was trying to help me understand that it was better?
Sarah says
I’ve been putting off a foot surgery as well. So glad to hear you’re able to run now!!
Flip Flops and Furs
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
That ‘Jump!’ place looks amazing….I for one, would have an amazing time there, lol!!!
Hannah says
Did you change the font you use on your posts? I wonder if Bloglovin is messing with things. It definitely looks different to me.
KathEats says
So actually I did try to change my font, but it never seemed to go through. Can you send me a screenshot to katheats @ gmail dot com?
Hannah says
Sure thing!
Amy D says
It’s been a while since we’ve seen the Bears! Happy birthday to your mom!
Cassie says
What a wonderful recovery story! You’re amazing 🙂
Angelica says
Karen looks wonderful!! California’s been good to her!
Mom says
I was glad to see the Bears too! And thanks for the birthday wishes! Good luck in the race. Seems like yesterday we were trying to help you up the back steps after surgery.
Fancy says
That picture of your mom and Mazen is gorgeous 🙂 I’m confused…why were you buying little girl birthday party toys?
KathEats says
Because we’re going to a few little girl birthday parties!
Fancy says
🙂
Livi @ Eat, Pray, Work It Out says
Congratulations on 10 years of healing! The race sounds like a fun way to celebrate!
Jillie says
Best of luck tomorrow! So fitting that you will be running a race on the anniversary of your race. I’m not going to lie, when I first started reading your blog, I remember reading the story on your foot surgery and it reminded myself how lucky I am to have not had an injury that has gotten in the way of fitness. So glad to see how much yo’uve recovered over the years! Can’t wait to hear how the race goes 🙂
Julia says
Kath, you have no idea how inspiring writing about your ankle surgery was for me this morning. I’m two months post op after reconstructive ankle surgery and was feeling pretty down and wondering when I would be out of a cast and able to run. I know it won’t be soon before I put this behind me and can be the physically active person I’ve been wanting to be but couldn’t because of a weak ankle!
KathEats says
Hang in there!! It’s so frustrating not to be able to exercise. I wish you all the best getting back on your feet – literally!
Hannah @ eat, drink and save money says
You’ve made some great changes in the past 10 years! So cool!
I love that Mazen requests pancakes. He is too cute.
[email protected] says
Good luck tomorrow!!! You’ve come so far since then, bet you didn’t think you’d be running 10 years later, one kid under your belt and looking fab!
Elyse says
What a great way to celebrate! Good luck on your race!
Monica says
Happy Birthday to your mom! It was good seeing the gang of bears again 🙂 Mazen looks so grown up lately!
Alex @ True Femme says
I didn’t know that you had foot surgery but I’m glad that you’re able to accomplish so much now and that it doesn’t hurt you like it once did!