Oct 25, 2014 - I did it again!

9 years later and I have done it again!  And yes, I am blogging about it again.  Check in with my new blog and see the comparison to this experience.

Nov 12, 2007 - Almost 2 years since I tore my ACL

It has almost been 2 years, and I feel fantastic!

My last post was in December, last year, and I felt about 90%.  Well, in January, I played in my first tournament, and that is when I really felt like I was back to 100%.

I played in a number of tournaments this year, as well as USTA league, with great success.

If all goes well, I will be ranked #2 in Women's 35s and Women's 40s in the Mid Atlantic Section.  In addition, my current ranking nationally is 14 in the Women's 40s.  Unbelievable!

I am planning on playing the National Grass Courts in 2008.

December 4, 2006 - One Year Ago.... I tore my ACL

Well, it has been a year, exactly! So, how do I feel after a year? I feel about 90% back in terms of my quickness, and really strong. I am not wearing any brace. That was my goal. I wanted to feel comfortable on the court, or doing anything athletic without a brace, and I am happy to report that I feel that way.

Each time I am on the court, I feel a bit faster, and my reaction time is a bit better.

I really think that I am ready to start competing again!!

November 2006

Well, it turns out that I had a slight setback with my hamstring. I strained it a bit. I did all of the phsyical therapy exercises in October, and it was back in shape in a couple of weeks.

I played singles today, and I was running like crazy. It seems that I need to keep doing the weights and keep stretching my muscles, and everything will be in order.

I now have a weight training regimen.... Monday, Thursday and Saturdays!

Tennis on Wednesday, Friday and Sundays.

Tuesday is my day of rest!!

September 2006

September is the month when real competition starts. I have been playing in the Greater Washington Tennis Association (GWTA) league for years, and this is the true test of my knee.

Since I last wrote in the blog, my movement on the court has gotten better and better. Some people that I play with say that from the first ball hit, to 2 hours later, they notice the difference.

I have now played 3 competitve doubles matches and my knee is holding up fine. I can now get to more balls then in August, but still do not have eveything back. I feel that I am 85% in terms of quickness and movement.

I did have a wierd feeling on the court the other day in my hamstring, and it made me a little cautious, but there was no swelling or pain. I was in the middle of an intense doubles point with a lot of quick movement, and I just felt a jarring in my hamstring.

I am playing singles, and able to get drop shots, and run side to side. I have not started competing again in singles.... I will wait for the tournament season to start back up in January.

In terms of endurance, I have played two doubles matches in the same day... about 3 hours of tennis with no problem. Also, playing 2 hours of singes is not an issue.

So, overall, I am in good shape and the surgery worked wonders.

August 20, 2006 - Back on the court in a real way!!

So, it has been 4 months since I have written in the blog. Right after I had my last physical therapy, and was instructed to finish physical therapy on the tennis court, I had an accident in the kitchen...

I was pitting an avacado, and the knife slipped and cut my left hand. It turns out that I cut through 2 tendons and the nerve that runs up through my pinky. So, I had surgery to repair that mishap, and was not allowed to exercise for fear of increasing the swelling in my left hand. After 6 weeks with my hand in a brace, and physical therapy, I was finally out on the tennis court for the first time on June 4.

It is now about 10 weeks after my first step back onto the court, and I feel like my strokes are back, my serve is coming back, and my running and anticipation are making progress.

At first, I did not move for the ball at all. Then as I kept hitting with different people, my movement got better and better. I used to be a bunny rabbit on the court, getting to each and every ball. Now, that is not yet the case, but I can get to drop shots, but not fast enough to have lots of choices. I get there just in time to get the ball over the net. In terms of side to side movement, I am better moving to the left than to the right. Planting on the right left is easier than on the left. I have come a long way since the first time I stepped on the court in the beginning of June. I expect that I will be ready to compete by January. Another 4 months of hard work!

18 Weeks Since Surgery

It has been 4 months since surgery, and I had my last physical therapy appointment today. Yipee... I am all clear to start my tennis recovery. I have been doing my normal weight lifting routine and have been running 2 miles.

I have lost my fast twitch muscles, but my phsyical therapist assured me that it would come back in time.

Also, I cannot back pedal the way I used to. Again, it will take time.

My next step is back to the tennis court!

Hitting against the Backboard in 15 weeks and 6 days!

Today, I ventured to the ol' backboard. I have been feeling really good and felt I was ready.

I hit for about 30 minutes... not running for anything. In fact, it took me a while to even move my feet.....

I am a bit rusty, I must admit, but it was so nice to have my racquet in my hand, and a ball on my strings!

15 Weeks Since Surgery

This week at physical therapy, I had my 3 month evaluation. As a result, my physical therapist said that she only wants to see me once/week in April, and then I am released to the tennis court.

UNBELEIVABLE!!!!

How exciting is that!

Well, I ran two days in a row, and the first day was great. My strides were longer and I ran a little bit faster.

The second day, I got a cramp in my calf muscle and had to walk home.

I have also been throwing the lacrosse ball with my son, and shooting hoops.... doing lay-ups on the left side is good therapy (according to my physical therapist) for my left knee..... okay.... I love to shoot hoops.

My leg is really starting to feel normal... like I do not notice it..... much more.

14 Weeks Since Surgery

Progress is slow and steady. This week I ran 2 miles a couple of times, and my running stride was longer. It took about 30 minutes to run the 2 miles last week, but this week, it was about 25 minutes. I forgot to time myself today... but my husband was like, "You're home already?" So, I am taking that is a good sign that I ran faster today than the other day.

My hamstring is still tight and I am continuing to work on that.

I am still aiming for May 1 to get on the court. I am really starting to itch to play tennis!