More running issues...

You know, there was a time on this very blog that all I did was talk about my kids...and I will eventually get back to having nothing to talk about except my kids...but for now...I'll continue on my running stories, issues etc...

After getting clearance to try and work off of running on the track I decided I would run my 2.75 miles this way... .9 mile to the track, 3 laps and then .9 miles home...which I think works out to 2.8 but I promise I stopped at 2.75 and walked the rest of the way home. I felt great (aside from the small problem of getting trampled by the local high school football team and getting run over by a truck on the track...yes you read that right) It was fabulous to be out just running and not in circles...to see the scenery (that I have seen a thousand times before) and look forward to the hills and my next turn etc etc...However, when I woke up to go to the gym Tuesday morning there was a small pain in the same freaking spot! I was severly disappointed, but went to the gym and rode the bike. I did ditch the swim last week on account of the freezing whether and not wanting to be in it while wet...Because of the snow on Wednesday I choose not to run and after talking with the coach and the doctor decided I would go back to the last workout that didn't hurt, which was 9 laps around the track, as the surface really is a lot better and more forgiving for such situations. Well Saturday came around and I went out there...thank goodness for no football team practicing at 7 in the morning. Anyway, I was feeling good so I did 10 laps. Again my knee felt great and even with the swim this morning there is not any pain. So now the big debate...do I try to run there again, run the track and run home? Or do I step it up to the 12 laps? Seriously, 12 laps? 3 miles sounds so much better! I suppose I should just go run the 12 laps...After all I am going to have to take my kids trick or treating tonight and why make them wait? Then I won't have to worry if the pain will come back.

I have been trying for a long time now, to keep the frustration away thinking I just needed a break but slowly it starting to come back...since I haven't been able to go run with the club and my runs are limited to the track I can see where people get bored. However, I am thankful that I can at least do that instead of just sit home. I will say I am getting more things accomplished at home. Laundry is actually getting folded and dinner is getting made...Interesting how that works out.

A letter

Dear Left Knee...

I want to take this time to apologize to you...for many things really...Lets start with apologizing for all the overuse, all the time really but I know the month of August was rough. Next time I want to go hiking every weekend, then running 10-12 miles, then speed workout, the hill repeats up Ward hill, then the Georgetown 1/2 marathon all the while continuing my gym attendance of 3 days a week etc etc I will try to spread it out to allow proper time for you to heal. Next, I want to apologize for continuing to try and run after you had informed me of such issues. If I would have slowed down right away I might have been able to rehab much quicker...But I do want to thank you for allowing me to run the Oktoberfest 5K as it currently is my PR time to beat...Finally I want to apologize to you for being so frustrated when I finally found out the real issues, I apologize for my frustration of not being able to run and only blaming you as the culprit...You see, you have taught me a lot about running and exercising in this little stint. First, I learned that while I was busy blaming you for not being able to run, when in reality my whole body needed a break...body, mind and spirit. I might have been a little bit burned out on running but I also thought I was using that as my life line. Do you know how much better of a mood I'm in after a long run...whether the run was hard or not my mood is always lifted when I'm done. I thought running was the only thing that could do this. Well...I biked and I learned to swim...and my not being able to run has actually opened a whole new avenue for me. There are other workouts that can improve my mood. Swimming isn't bad...and I have actually improved and enjoyed the improvement. Funny when you practice something how much better you get! Still not in love with the biking. So, left knee, I want to thank you for opening all these avenues...for helping me see that running isn't everything. I'm sorry I ever doubted you! I know it took me a while to see your side of the story and become flexible to your line of thinking but I'm glad I did!

Love,

Trisha

Things

So after the whole knee debacle I've been 'banned' from running (for a few weeks). The first 2 weeks was incredibly difficult to miss the running. Unfortunately, it is easier this week, which worries me in a whole different way. I have since taken up biking and swimming to both fill the void and help to rehab the knee and at first that was complete murder. Biking is not that fun and swimming seemed so high maintenance. My husband, however, put things in way better perspective...why is swimming so difficult? My excuses included that I had to make sure the swim suit was out and I have drive somewhere and a towel and pay to get it etc etc etc. So in total Lou fashion he mentioned that most of the time I went running I would drive somewhere, whether it be the track, or Ward hill or the Sunday morning meeting place...And I had to get dressed didn't I? What difference was it if it was a swim suit or running clothes? And you actually have to remember your music and making sure it is charged and water so swimming isn't that much more high maintenance it is just different maintenance. Is that the problem? You have to be flexible? Yes, as a matter of fact, that is the problem. I like my routine...I'm a creature of routine. Sick, I know. And I'm afraid I've breed that fabulous trait into my children. So, since I have become more flexible the swims are not so terrible and I can even see progression in how well I'm doing, which is exciting. The biking is still biking, it is just there.

So all of that brings me to my new found realization. That how hard we try not to...how we stick with our routines day after day after day we all change and morph and adapt to new things. I just hope at the end of it all that all the changing has made us a person that we like, that we want to be, a person we like! My very loving 8 year old told me :"Mom, do you remember when you were 29? You were nice when you were 29." She had far different reason for asking the question but I took it to...Wow, I didn't think I had changed that much in 2 years but apparently, somewhere I have changed. Then this morning a friend and I were talking and she mentioned in high school she ran track. I thought...wow, in high school I thought the people that did track and cross country were crazy... and look at me now. I have a hard time taking a few weeks off of running and exercising...The question was...do I like who I have become? I think so...I think I like being the exercise crazed person always looking forward to my next workout, balancing that with the fun family mom and then crossing in some friends and gatherings. I would like to think I balance everything well enough while not allowing one certain thing define me. I'm not only a mom, or an employee or whatever.

Yes, after my mild depression induced from lack of exercise and mind clearing running this is the best you get...The realization that I think I like myself!