I ran a mile and a half yesterday.
That might not sound like much – it didn’t to me, just a year ago. But that was before I took an ungraceful spill while snow skiing on the Ides of March last year, detaching my ACL and sustaining other assorted bodily damage. Running after ACL surgery is a big deal.

Pam LeBlanc wraps up a 1.5 mile run while visiting a friend’s house in Baffin Bay this weekend. It takes a long time to start running after ACL surgery. Chris LeBlanc photo

I underwent reconstruction surgery in May, spent four months tottering around on crutches, and have been trying to strengthen my quad, which turned into a wimpy, hotdog-like appendage in the interim, ever since.

At first, I couldn’t even straighten my leg. Or bend it all the way. I’d stack sacks of popcorn on it to try to get full extension. And it hurt.

I gradually advanced to doing squats and stepping on and off a low box. And I resumed my four-or five times a week swim practice as soon as I was cleared.

Lately, though, I can sense real progress. Two or three months ago, my physical therapist watched as I lurched down the hallway of the Texas Orthopedics office, in a sad attempt to run. I held onto bars as I hopped delicately up and down, trying to get my leg used to impact.

But soon it didn’t hurt so much. I increased the distance bit by bit. This week, I ran a mile and a half without stopping with hardly any discomfort. Then I did it again the next day.

Can you see that smile on my face?

Running’s not my main sport – swimming holds that honor. But I love to cross train to stay fit, and I appreciate the simplicity of putting on my running shoes and walking out the door to get a workout in when I’m traveling.

I’m so sick of going to physical therapy. I’m tired of having a knee that doesn’t feel strong or stable. I want to ski again.

But my doctor told me last week that the graft is solid as a rock. He’s confident I’ll be back to all my usual antics before long. And if this week’s runs are any indication, I believe him.

Pam LeBlanc got sick while traveling in the Maldives Islands and wound up in a clinic getting three units of fluids. Chris LeBlanc photo

Fact: It sucks to get sick while traveling, especially if you’re in a foreign country.

But it happens. And in the last year, it’s happened to me a lot, from a torn ACL while skiing in Idaho to a bout of gastrointestinal distress in Bangkok, vomiting in the Marshall Islands and Covid in Alaska.

This time, I found myself in the fetal position on the bathroom floor while traveling in the Maldives Islands. After two bouts of vomiting and some serious diarrhea, I was dehydrated and weak.

Luckily, the resort where I was staying, Siyam World, had a staff doctor. They sent him over to check on me. The doctor called a tiny ambulance, which transported me to the island’s medical clinic.

Read more: Ten things to know before you plan a trip to the Maldives Islands

There, I received two units of fluids and some anti-nausea medication. After a few hours, I headed back to my room.

I woke once more that night, sick yet again – and that earned me another trip to the clinic and another IV of fluids the next morning.

In all, I lost about two days of action – then passed it to my husband Chris, who got a less intense version of my bug. But without the IV fluids, my recovery likely would have taken longer.

My advice? If you get sick when you’re at an island resort (or anywhere, really) reach out to the front desk. There might be a doctor on staff. If there’s not, they’ll probably be able to tell you where to find medical help.

You spent money to take the trip – it’s worth a doctor’s visit to make sure you’re able to enjoy it.