look Ma, TWO hands

The rumors are true... I broke up with the Ultra Sling II! I'm not fully functional yet, but being able to use both hands is a GIFT. I go back to the doctor on Thursday - if he really wants to be my Best Friend, he'll clear me for running.

Here's a short list of things I can finally do again (once taken for granted):
- put hair in ponytail
- apply deodorant
- type with 10 fingers (or 8 fingers and 2 thumbs, whatever)
- tie my own shoes
- sleep in my bed (I was on the couch for weeks)
- wear tops that go over my head
- interact in public w/out the "what the heck happened to you" stare

I tried to make the best of my sling-time. I've spent way too many hours on the indoor spin bike, done intervals on a recumbent bike, walked miles and miles and miles around Greenville, performed lunges up and down the bike paths (there's one way to elicit strange looks: try forward, reverse, or side lunges while dripping sweat and wearing a huge black sling)...

The sling and I had some good times. It was actually a great, medically prescribed, fanny pack. My cell phone hooked nicely to the waist strap; and the arm cradle held my iPod, camera, money, small snacks ;)This provided a good opportunity to take pictures of my favorite running route. Fyi: walking 8 miles while frequently stopping to take pictures is one way to eat up an afternoon. So, enjoy my Tour de Greenville. Cross your fingers for a clean bill of clavicle health on Thursday!

Making my way down to Cleveland Park

Eagle Trail (just under a mile, but a fun way to go through the park)

One of many playgrounds in Cleveland Park

The new "Swamp Rabbit Trail" -- offers both asphalt and track surface"Canine Corner" -- Dog Park Cleveland Park

Cleveland Park often becomes the Cleveland Crit... cycling groups morning, noon, and night!McDaniel Ave... memories of running with Gail - hey girl, do you remember that day of hill training? I award this place (on McDaniel Ave) the "Most Gorgeous Front Yard":

One of the largest magnolia trees I've ever seen:
At the top of McDaniel... RUN IN!! WooHOOMe & my favorite Shoe Nazi: Bea :)

Along the path from Cleveland Park to Falls Park
Downtown's beautiful Falls Park and Suspension Bridge
Looking down Main Street I've run along Main St. so many times, never stopping to read the quotes along the sidewalk. Well, on a walk... you can stop and smell the roses - or read the words beneath your feet:
"Adversity introduces a man to himself"
"When one door closes another door opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the ones which open for us"
"Nothing can dim the light which shines from within"
"Our bodies are where we stay, Our souls are what we are" Kids art project on a side streetFinally, almost there... you can see Paris Mtn from my street!

Now, I can't wait until these sights fly by as I run along...

I love Greenville - who wants to visit?!