mission: possible

Today I ran.

It wasn't far.

It wasn't fast.

But I ran continuous for 30 minutes. The knee felt good. It didn't feel perfect, but it didn't hurt. I have some more healing to do before I can commit to a running schedule. So I think I am going to have to scrap the Spring marathon this year... besides I have a lot of other things going on in my life right now that need some attention - training would be very difficult.

On another note, my new shoes came in, so I went and picked them up. They fit great and feel great. I am anxious to try them out - but it will have to be on some flat, soft surfaces for awhile. I showed them to my wife and she just didn't get excited about them, which is shocking for someone who has a shoe in every style and every color in every style. I even said I could accessorize my shoes. See for yourself:

So...... while I won't be running with my power tools, I can look "f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s" while I work. Or, if the Dewalt Corporation is out there and looking for a spokes model - say your average guy / weekend warrior type - I am here. Call me. We'll talk.

knee update

I went and saw my doctor on Wednesday. The good news is it isn't anything serious, and I can run once it doesn't hurt. It is feeling better day by day and I am anxious to get back to running, but I want to take it slow and ease back into it. Besides, after almost a month off from running, I won't be able to pick up where I left off... bummer. I am now questioning whether I can train for a spring marathon if I cannot get training started in another week... perhaps it wasn't meant to be this spring... and there are always other things I want to do... like trail running. I ordered my trail running shoes last week. I am looking forward to getting them and trying them out... they're pretty cool looking too...

I did do some cross training this morning... pilates.

My wife got me to try it out with her. She has a DVD that had a 45 minute workout among others to choose from. I was skeptical, but by the end I was dripping in sweat... quite a workout. It got my heart rate up. She gave me a sneak preview of the windsor pilates circle workout... hope to try that out tomorrow. If not, then maybe I can get my bike out for a ride.

I have found out that I am grumpy when I cannot workout. Steph told me she said I seemed in a better mood than I had been in awhile. I thought it a strange comment, but asked how long I had been in a bad mood. When she said about a month, I kind of figured it out. So, I must find new ways to workout that do not involve using my knee until I am able to run again.

patellar tendinitis

" Patellar tendinitis is inflammation of one of the knee-joint tendons. Tendinitis occurs when tissue breakdown outpaces regrowth, and is caused by increased mileage, hills (especially downhills), and pace. Running through tendinitis will make it worse and prolong your recovery, says Davis. But treated early, it can heal in a few weeks. Here's how: cross-train, ice, wear a patella strap, take anti-inflammatories, stretch, and do exercises to strengthen the joint and quadriceps, such as leg extensions."

This is my diagnosis of what is wrong with my knee. It makes sense based on my running leading up to the point when the pain started. The knee is feeling marginally better, so I am thinking it is healing itself, but I do not see any running for me for the rest of the year... at least not until the pain is altogether gone. This will force me into stretches and cross training - both of which I have needed to focus on better anyway... I have until the beginning of January until I will need to start training for the Flying Pig Marathon, so I will determine then if I will definitely be running it or not...

I have also decided to spend some time catching up on my reading. I stopped by the library on the way home last night and picked up this:

I am hoping to distract myself from my non-running with a good book...

confessions of an addict

Okay, I am being a little dramatic... or am I?

It has been 3 days since I ran and my knee is not feeling much better. It doesn't hurt when it is not in motion, it doesn't hurt if I press on it or anything around it. I cannot run until my knee feels better - in fact, I can't really walk without it hurting (if I walk too fast). I am trying to not worry about reaching my mileage goal for the year - no big deal actually. I am surprisingly not depressed, but perhaps it hasn't hit me yet. I would like to get on with running, I need it. I feel a little empty without it. Even with everything else I have to do (work, finish Christmas shopping, wrap gifts, miscellaneous family stuff, etc.) I feel like I am not doing anything.

Then my thoughts start going to the questions like: "Why now?" "Is it serious?" "Should I go to the doctor?" "What do I do if he says no running for a long time?" "What if he says I need surgery?" Obviously my mind jumps the gun a bit - and if it had it's own stomach, it would have an ulcer by now, but I am coping. One day at a time. But man, I need a running fix really bad...