The good news: I'll have more time to read next week.
The bad news: I won't be running.
I have mentioned off and on my struggle with knee pain since my marathon in September. In the fall, I went to the doctor, took some time off from running, and found some temporary relief. Yet I have only had one or two totally pain free runs in the past several months. I could usually get through one or two miles without any discomfort, but once the pain came I spent the rest of the miles alternating between walking until the pain subsided and running until it was unbearable.
I finally went back to the doctor this week because 1) my left knee was actually getting worse and 2) I finally admitted to myself my knees weren't going to get better on their own. After x-rays of both knees that came back normal (did you hear my sigh of relief from where you are sitting?), I started physical therapy today. One of my PT's first instructions was to stop running. He knows I just started my marathon training schedule and promised I would be good to go at the starting line on May 15. So I am following his instructions and giving my all to getting my knees back to their happy place.
Today was pretty basic: electrical stimulation & heat, some laser light thing that he said helps muscles heal, some stretching, and huge ice packs wrapped around both knees that had me shivering from head to toe by the end of an eternal eight minutes.
I have physical therapy again Monday, and the goal will be to determine what is causing the pain: my feet, instablility in my pelvis causing my legs to overcompensate, a combination of the two, or something else completely. The part I am really looking forward to is not the incredibly large and unsightly goose bumps on my legs following the icing but the video he is going to take of me running to evaluate if my feet are the problem. This might possibly be the only running I get to do for at least the next 10 days, but I'll take what I can get.
The bad news: I won't be running.
I have mentioned off and on my struggle with knee pain since my marathon in September. In the fall, I went to the doctor, took some time off from running, and found some temporary relief. Yet I have only had one or two totally pain free runs in the past several months. I could usually get through one or two miles without any discomfort, but once the pain came I spent the rest of the miles alternating between walking until the pain subsided and running until it was unbearable.
I finally went back to the doctor this week because 1) my left knee was actually getting worse and 2) I finally admitted to myself my knees weren't going to get better on their own. After x-rays of both knees that came back normal (did you hear my sigh of relief from where you are sitting?), I started physical therapy today. One of my PT's first instructions was to stop running. He knows I just started my marathon training schedule and promised I would be good to go at the starting line on May 15. So I am following his instructions and giving my all to getting my knees back to their happy place.
Today was pretty basic: electrical stimulation & heat, some laser light thing that he said helps muscles heal, some stretching, and huge ice packs wrapped around both knees that had me shivering from head to toe by the end of an eternal eight minutes.
I have physical therapy again Monday, and the goal will be to determine what is causing the pain: my feet, instablility in my pelvis causing my legs to overcompensate, a combination of the two, or something else completely. The part I am really looking forward to is not the incredibly large and unsightly goose bumps on my legs following the icing but the video he is going to take of me running to evaluate if my feet are the problem. This might possibly be the only running I get to do for at least the next 10 days, but I'll take what I can get.
Hehehe. After EVERy practice and game for over 2 years I was covered in RED goose bumps. Darn the ice whirlpool
ReplyDeleteAhhh ice! So cold but so good for your knees! I hope your knee problems go away soon!
ReplyDeletePraying for a speedy recovery!
ReplyDeleteHey there! Just found you on Tall Mom's spreadsheet. I'm in Lehi! Once you are running again we should totally have our very own blogger meetup! Hope your knees start feeling better soon!
ReplyDeleteI was actually going to sign up for the Ogden Marathon but it's sold out! *sigh*
Good to "meet" you!
I'm so sorry! I struggled with an injury last year while training for St. George. Wishing you a speedy recovery:)
ReplyDeleteGroan. I certainly hope the therapy is the cure.
ReplyDeleteHope you are on your way to recovery!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a speedy recovery.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear that you're still plagued with injury. Take care
ReplyDeleteHere is to a speedy recovery!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are been very smart. Get those knees happy again and then run. Hubbs didn't listen to his body and ended up with surgery and now he has lingering pain.
ReplyDeleteSpeedy healing to you!
Good idea to go to a doctor! It doesn't sound like fun, but it will be worth it when you're running again.
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog. Sorry about the hiatus from running but it sounds like your pt has confidence you can make your marathon. It sounds like you are doing the smart thing. As I am writing this I am seeing the Bono Glee and Hannah Montana titled post. I am going to have to go read that one. Good luck!
ReplyDeletei will be very interested to hear what they tell you. knee pain is definitely something you can overcome! I did it last year with good exercises and hopefully you are on the right track now
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who swears by the light therapy. I don't know that much about it or how it works,l but he had serious shin splints for a while until he used the light therapy. Hopefully, one of the approaches you are using in PT does the trick.
ReplyDeleteThe St. George Ironman bike course will be tough. It will be tough but manageable. I have run a couple of marathons on the course, and I know it will be hard, but hopefully my training will get me ready for it!