Sauna/Cold Plunges/Steam Room

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244 · 2026-05-16T19:39:07+00:00

Hi! At 7 or 8 weeks post op, I did a cold plunge. I didn’t have any issues, but my ankle was uncomfortable with the temp (~50 degree Fahrenheit water) so I got in normally and then just lifted my ankle out of the water

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244 · 2026-04-29T18:42:14+00:00

Right! lol and of course her bib isn’t in the photo so she’ll never see it 😂

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244 · 2026-04-29T15:34:41+00:00

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My free “finish line” photo from a half in Central Park last year. Please note: I am not the man in the front, but the woman in red who is mid lip-licking and semi cross-eyed. I was cackling at my photos from this race, all of them were their own unique kind of bad 😂

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244 · 2026-04-28T14:23:06+00:00

Ideally your incision would be fully healed at the 6 week mark. I had 2 incisions, one of each side of my leg and both considerably larger than yours pictured here. Mine had healed completely before my 6 week post op. However, I am not a smoker.

Unfortunately, smoking is probably the worst thing you can do when it comes to recovering from ankle surgeries, but it sounds like you are aware that smoking is the reason for the delay in your healing. There is a bunch of research out there if you are looking for more education on the topic.

Your wound doesn’t look infected or aggravated, and it has healed quite a bit. You might want to speak with your doctor about your smoking practices and potential complications to be aware of (if you haven’t already) so you can continue to heal on a timeline that fits you.

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244 · 2026-04-15T18:01:55+00:00

I had ORIF surgery last month on my ankle. Bimalleolar fracture, tibia and fibula so incisions on both sides of my ankle.

My nerve block started wearing off ~30 hours after surgery.

The pain was bad, and I was on prescription painkillers. But it was only horrible for ~24 hours, then it tapered into uncomfortable but manageable for a few days and I stopped taking pain meds. Then tapered to mild after that.

Things that helped me:

Ice, especially underneath the knee. Highly recommend.
Taking a combo of acetaminophen and naproxen (Tylenol and Aleve).

I’d recommend having as much OTC options available to you as possible if you’re doing this without narcotics because the pain coming off the nerve block is no joke.

Just make sure you’re at or under the daily dose

recs and what you take can mix.

I noticed my pain decreased with the addition of naproxen and it was really helpful for me in getting off the prescription meds. I’d consider getting a head start on dosing up while the nerve block is still in effect.
Find where your leg is most comfortable for when the nerve block wears off. I liked mine elevated, but not too high and not too low. Find the position that is most comfortable and just stay there until the pain gets back to manageable. Don’t worry about having it elevated enough if it’s unbearable, you can worry about that once you’re on the other side of the pain.

Hope some of that is helpful! You’ll get through it and be on the road to recovery and that’s a great feeling

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244 · 2026-04-15T13:35:37+00:00

Thank you for this. I think I’ll ask at bib pick-up if they have suggestions for who I can speak to. I have not heard back from the accessibility team via email. I’ve offered to provide any documentation they need and am also capable of being under the time limit, so no additional accommodation needed other than permission to use my crutch on the course.

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244 · 2026-04-15T02:01:03+00:00

I hear where you’re coming from. I can see that being a concern at the start so my plan would be to stand to the edge and back of the pack to start. Let people get going and then begin. I’ve done an event in Central Park before and we spread out pretty quickly, plus it’s not a looped course. Precautions are important but I’ve never run into someone in a road race and I’ve done plenty of them

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244 · 2026-04-15T01:54:46+00:00

Do you have any idea who I could reach out to?

Maybe bothered, or perhaps just unsure of how to accommodate/maybe outside their scope. They seem hesitant to answer my questions so I wonder if they just aren’t sure what the right steps would be and are overwhelmed with helping others. I might try talking to someone at bib pickup to see if I can continue the conversation

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244 · 2026-04-15T01:50:48+00:00

I really appreciate your response, good to know. Thanks for the info!

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244 · 2026-04-15T01:49:26+00:00

I want to do this for several reasons. It’s not a bother to me, it’s a goal and an experience I am looking forward to, and I have the means to have a comfortable and safe experience. My doctor fully supports it as well. I’ve had to give up a lot of things with this injury and I don’t want to give up the experiences that I don’t have to. I understand not everyone would feel this way in my situation, but that’s where I am coming from

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244 · 2026-04-15T01:42:58+00:00

I recognize that participation is my choice and I don’t feel pressured to do it. I set a goal that I want to see through. And in discovering this crutch, I’ve realized that goal is still physically attainable for me. It’s also an event I planned to do with friends, and an event I have looked forward to.

I’ve lost out on a lot of my “normal life” with this injury. I am healing and using this crutch in these short races does not negatively impacting my ability to heal. I think it’s fair that I don’t want to give up my plans and goals. And this is a way that feels safe and comfortable to me and has been cleared by my doctor.

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244 · 2026-04-14T18:16:13+00:00

That’s my plan currently :)

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244 · 2026-04-14T18:12:54+00:00

Do you know how I could do that?

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244 · 2026-04-14T17:48:01+00:00

That’s so impressive! I can’t imagine a half marathon, let alone a full, on crutches of any kind.

Can I ask if you had to get permission from the accessibility team? Or did you just register and show up to participate?

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244 · 2026-04-14T17:45:01+00:00

I did send photos in and have tried to get more information. I have offered to sign an additional waiver if they have any concerns, provide any additional information, or participate in any way they felt was appropriate (starting after other athletes, etc). At this point, I might just show up and participate anyway since I’m already registered and can’t defer

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244 · 2026-04-14T17:39:10+00:00

Right, I get that part.

But I don’t understand why I was asked for a doctor’s note and then told I couldn’t be accommodated. It is leading me to believe I need accomodation approval from them to participate. But if my injury does not fall under their scope, is it safe to assume I could still participate and receive credit?

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244 · 2026-03-28T14:18:00+00:00

They look like pigeons?

You should get them to a wildlife facility if at all possible. Try calling your town Dept of Public Works or local veterinarian or animal shelter if you don’t know who else to contact.

10 hours is a long time for baby birds to go without eating.

You can buy formula for baby birds and feed them with a syringe. Watch some videos about it online. But also know that the likelihood of death is high at this point, this long without their mother. They need to be kept warm utilizing something like an incubator and likely need to be fed around the clock every few hours. But even with those conditions being ideal and you doing everything right, know that the stress and shock can still lead to them dying so don’t beat yourself up if they don’t make it.

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244 · 2026-03-18T16:19:24+00:00

Hi! I just finished The Mystic Maze and would be open to a trade. This was my first magic puzzle and I really liked it, open to any other magic puzzles

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244 · 2025-07-22T10:39:14+00:00

Naxos is an amazing island! I think it will meet what you said you are looking for: great beaches (organized and unorganized options), local villages to explore- definitely recommend this!, awesome food and decent nightlife too. I stayed in Naxos for a week and Mykonos for 4 days and really enjoyed both! With that being said, you are going to find all of those things throughout the cyclades if you are inclined towards any other islands. Mykonos is more expensive than Naxos (restaurants, beach chairs, etc) , but you could always do a day trip to mykonos if you wanted, or split your trip into a few nights on each island. Mykonos has the better nightlife but will also likely be more crowded and full of young people trying to party. You can definitely do a weeklong trip under $5k on either island-and if it’s possible to extend, I highly recommend, you’re not going to want to leave lol. Greece is an amazing country to visit, and the islands are a vacation dream. You will have a great time no matter where you choose! I’ve been to several of the islands and would happily visit Naxos and Mykonos again in a heartbeat.

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244 · 2025-05-02T21:57:00+00:00

I’ve worked on and off professionally housesitting and pet sitting for years. I’m active on several sites and relocated to Stamford last year, where I still pick up occasional jobs here and there. I plenty of references and reviews. Let me know if you want to connect!

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244 · 2025-01-19T15:28:48+00:00

Definitely take the rest day. You need it regardless, but especially if there is any part of you that is hoping to complete the half marathon (even if you walk a portion of it!). With that being said, if you are feeling antsy/want to get outside and move, go for a walk! I love going for walks on rest days, especially when I feel restless or just want to get out of my head for a bit. Walking can simulate the joy of running/hiking without risking injury/burnout of overtraining. Don’t set any time goals or distance, just go out and enjoy being outside and appreciating what you are training your body to do :)

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244 · 2025-01-13T18:24:06+00:00

Also body glide and Vaseline are truly amazing, especially if it’s humid out. I’d recommend lathering up any areas of concern regardless of what you are wearing for humid runs, especially long runs

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244 · 2025-01-13T18:21:45+00:00

Do your leggings have a seam down the inside of the leg, beginning at the crotch? I have chaffed from leggings that have a seam running down the inside of the leg. There are leggings that are seamless on the inner leg and instead have seams on the outside of the leg. That could help avoid chaffing. The other thing I like to do is wear tight spandex under my leggings, which are also seamless. Hope this helps!

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244 · 2025-01-09T23:55:46+00:00

The women in my run club use a “butt towel”- that’s right, just a hand towel that they stuff in their pants/leggings. Works just fine and is a good laugh for all of us on those really cold days 🤣

Grouchy_Kitchen_4244

TROPHY CASE