Week 19 YEAH!

I am so happy. I swam this morning and am high from it. It is surprising just how good a bit of exercise can make me feel. I am also happy because I went to see my knee surgeon and we decided against immediate surgery. YEAH!
He said that I would improve with surgery, but that it wasn't mandatory, and that I would get better either way. It might not prove to be true, but he said that I could easily wait until after my Gibraltar swim if I still need it. I will be in some pain either way so why take the chance of making things worse? I know that I can swim as is and PT is making progress. So I am thrilled. I may not be allowed to run for a long time, but I can swim and bike and that will be good enough for now.

I have been reading inspirational quotes from the channel group and would like to poach a few for my blog:

"I have never understood why "hard work" is supposed to be pitiable.... You get tired, of course, often in despair, but the struggle, the challenge, the feeling of being extended as you never thought you could be, is fulfilling and deeply, deeply satisfying." Rumer Godden (1907-1998), English writer

"Prepare for the worst - Hope for the best. You are entering the unknown and pushing the limits." Michael Oram

These ideas seem so powerful. I especially love the confusion about "hard work". That has always stymied me too. Hard work is just that, work. And it feels good, especially when it's over. I did run a marathon once and think I may have missed the last two miles...I ran (jogged/walked) them, but I wasn't there for them. I was lying down on the warm asphalt breathing quietly, in my mind at least. But my body did pass over the finish line so I must have made it. I don't know if I can swim "unconsciously" but I bet it's been done.
I plan to train hard enough so that I won't need to swim unconsciously, but I hope that if it's still safe, my pilot will let me just keep going until I'm done.
Today is a good day.