Here I am. Sitting at my desk, once again avoiding something that I probably should be doing but that I really, really, REALLY hate. But, my bike on the trainer will always be there...and you guys? My five readers (you real troopers)? I don't know how much longer you'll hang on for. ;)
The running news front isn't very exciting, but I figure I'd post about it since most of you know how it feels to be out for an injury. The majority of us on the sidelines are the obsessive type A people that thrive on a consistent schedule, and that regular flow of endorphins that running gives us. To me it's also my time that I have to myself, where I can just let my mind relax and I catch up on my podcasts.
Speaking of which, here are some of my current faves. If anyone has any recommendations, let me know because I'm always looking for new ones.
This American Life
Radiolab
The Ben Greenfield Fitness Podcast (although I take his advice with a grain of salt, and I am EVER SO SAD that his Canadian sidekick Brock is no longer his sidekick.) Hnngh, seriously, I am so sad and contemplating giving up on the podcast.
Endurance Planet - my favorite episodes are "Ask The Coach" with Lucho and Tawnee
Planet Money
Freakonomics
Marathon Training Acadamy - It's almost irritatingly PG, but I've gotten familiar with their personalities and they're kind of charming after a while.
Ultra Runner Podcast - although I have to admit I have been cutting back on this one recently, not sure why, but the host Eric is really great and a total running geek.
I battle constantly between being annoyingly optimistic about my knee, to being lazy and giving up. The laziness/giving up side has thrown a hell of an upper cut, but the optimistic side is bobbing and weaving for dear life. Part of me wants to just give up completely, enjoy doing nothing and let my muscles atrophy. The other part of me is trying to convince me to keep my muscles around. Oh, and I am not supposed to get fat until AFTER the wedding.
Did I mention my sarcasm level is rising? Almost as much as my dog's.
I have around seven weeks left until the 50 miler, and only a month until my scheduled 50k. I'm almost certain that I'll need to downgrade my 50k to a 10k or a half marathon (if I'm very lucky). My current status is that I can do 15 miles on flat ground with mild pain. Things aren't looking so great for me. I need to hope for a miracle, but I won't throw in the towel until I absolutely have to.
What is it? Patellofemoral pain Syndrome, says the doc. It is probably the most common knee injury, and is also known as the dreaded "Runner's Knee". My patella is off track, and the cartilage underneath is all worn and inflamed. The sharp pains I was experiencing were the bone on bone action, and that is no bueno.
Things are certainly improving. I no longer have those sharp pains. No more gasps when I step wrong or straighten my leg too fast. This is a major improvement. The last five mile run I did started out kind of painful but the last two miles were virtually pain free. I was completely ecstatic when I got home.
The knee is costing me a pretty penny. I am adhering to the "everything but the kitchen sink" method. Each week I have been going to the sports chiropractor where he grinds away at the scar tissue with the Active Release Technique. He also beats my IT band and quads into submission.
Weekly, I am also dropping by the local acupuncturist's office. I mentioned her before, but I actually snagged a photo for you guys. The second visit was much more relaxing for me. I had way less tension in my neck and shoulders so I was able to chill out this time instead of fidgeting and waiting for the time to be up. I was able to handle much more electricity to the ol' knee, so that is a positive sign. It means things are improving!
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| zappity zap zap! PAIN, BE GONE! |
Additionally, I have been on a knee brace buying spree to find the right one. I returned some, but the ones I decided to keep are this knee sleeve that I bought of Amazon, and the classic runner's knee band that I see on practically every other runner outdoors.
The knee sleeve is my favorite because it provides just the right amount of compression and support. It feels great on, and I even ran with it with no chaffing or issues. It has one of those puffy donut gel pads to encircle your patella, as well as some thicker banding along the sides to provide more support to the sides of your knee. I can easily fit it over my pants for that classic but casual-cool "injured runner" look at work.
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| Hard to see, but there's a firm banding on the sides where my thumb is. |
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| Ordered in a sleek black to show off all the dog hair |
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| Flipped inside out |
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| So cushy! |
I've also splurged on some new supplements, which Jon would be excited to hear about. Our cupboards aren't overflowing with supplements at all. I don't go through weirdo health phases ever. There's that sarcasm again. But seriously, my doc recommended glucosamine and chondroitin and/or hydrolyzed collagen powder. Since I couldn't wait the five days for Amazon to ship me my order, I also went and bought some Move Free Ultra pills. I have a hard time taking large pills, so I asked for powder recommendations. These Move Free Ultra pills are great though because they are approximately the size of a Motrin, and I only need to take one a day.
Between my three recommended five mile runs a week, I am doing just about every stretching and strengthening exercise that is recommended. Leg lifts, wall squats, monster walks, crab walks, quad hamstring and calf stretches...you name it, I'm doing it. I even bought some cheesy little ankle weights from Marshalls for five dollars to do some knee strengthening work.
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| Look how tiny my quads have gotten. Wall squats 1 min 3x's a day. |
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| Maybe not the most opportunistic time to take a photo |
The positive part is that I am once again opening my arms up to pop culture. Game of Thrones? You know...that tv show that everyone had made several references to for MANY YEARS that I just have had to smile and nod to? Yeah, I finished season one and I'm on season two now! I'm patting myself on the back for that.
That's the latest and the greatest. I guess I should attempt to hop on the bike for a couple hours...or maybe I should start cleaning the house..........
Cute dog tax.
Wow, you really are trying everything!! One thing I thought of and didn't see on your list: have you tried changing your running form and/or footwear? I started getting knee pain about 6 years ago and switched from very built-up, cushioned shoe to running in Vibram Five Fingers. I also went from heel striking to landing with my foot under me (more of a mid-foot strike). I don't know which of these changes was the key, but I haven't had knee pain since... I'm guessing it's my form and/or zero drop shoes, because I now run in Altras with cushioning. Anyway, just an idea! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI've tried a more minimal approach but I found my high arches to cause a lot of impact up the leg. Looking back at my form I definitely could use some adjustments so maybe I'll tinker back into the minimal route. I have Altra's too, maybe I'll give them another chance. :)
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