2024 has looked a bit different than 2023...

It has been a minute since I have sat down to update this blog. 2023 was an amazing year, we backpacked almost 1000 miles of the PCT and completed the Colorado Trail! It was definitely a year to remember. Once we were done with the adventure of a lifetime we moved back to Golden, and unfortunately had to go back to working. Talk about a change of scenery...going from living outside and walking to new places everyday, to commuting to an office..

In the beginning of 2024 I got back into running after taking time off for hiking and started noticing some constant discomfort in my left inner hip. I was worried that it might be another stress fracture so I decided to go get an MRI to check it out, and not make it worse. After the appointment I learned that I had a labral tear in my hip. In case you guys are like me and don't know what that is, it is a tear in the ring of cartilage on the hip socket. I learned that the only way to truly fix the tear was surgery. So in order to get back to the active lifestyle that brings me so much joy I decided to get surgery.

The post surgery required 6 weeks on crutches wearing a massive brace to make sure my hip stayed in place. Going from being on the move everyday to being constricted to crutches was a massive downer..Even the most simple tasks, like cooking or carrying anything felt like a huge task. I was also required to do spin bike for 80-120 minutes a day and two sessions on PT per week.

Recovery was more tiring than I thought it would be and I got into a low headspace somedays. I knew that my body needed rest and time to recover but mentally I felt stuck when I wasn't doing what I normally do. It was a long six weeks to say the least..I am so incredibly grateful for how supportive and helpful Craig and my family was during this time, I could not have gotten through without them.

Looking back now that I am off of crutches (yay!) I realize that I should have been more patient with myself and realized slowing down was what my body needed and didn't need to be as hard on myself. I should have focused on what I could do in that moment and not dwell on what I couldn't do. But I wont be hard on myself for that either since I cannot go back in time.

I am now about 10 weeks out of surgery and am so so grateful for how my recovery has been going. I still have PT two times a week, and my PT is pushing me and getting me ready to become my active self once again. My hip is feeling great, and I am excited to work hard to come back stronger and healthier!!