On the Mend
I ran five miles pain-free TWICE this week! I’m super excited, and feel like I’m finally healing. I’m really happy I made the decision to go to physical therapy - I’ve been getting ultrasound massage, stretching done by the PT, and learned bunches of new stretches to strengthen the inside of my thighs, which will hopefully permanently pull my kneecap back to where it’s supposed to be.
Other exciting things I have discovered as a result of hurting myself include that:
- My left leg is shorter than my right leg
- My left leg thigh muscle is ginormous compared to my right.
- Apparently ultrasounds come in different frequencies for different functions. Some frequencies are for seeing babies in bellies, some are for deep tissue massage. Multitasking!
- I really took advantage of the fact that I was able to run before. No more.
I felt really, REALLY good on my last two runs. No pain, and I feel like I’m gaining my fitness level back quickly that I lost as a result of taking so long off. I’ve been skipping the pool cross-training the last two weeks, since I was keeping my knee taped during work, and the tape doesn’t dry very quickly (resulting in wet dress pants at my desk). I developed a skin rash around my knee as a result of the super-glue like knee tape, so I was instructed to only tape while I’m running and then remove immediately, so it’s back to the pool next week. I’ve actually been missing it (and I would be the last person you would think would miss SWIMMING), but I’ve found it to be a major stress relief during the day to be able to get away for an hour and move.
I think this weekend I’m going to do six miles, probably on Sunday. I should be almost back on schedule for base-building before I start a new session of half-marathon training in only SIX WEEKS! I’m disappointed I’ve had to take a break so long that my long run has been relegated to only six miles, but I’m prepared to take it slow and make sure my IT band loves me forever.
I saw this on another running blog, Jen’s Runnings and Ramblings, and thought it was such a great idea to remind ourselves each day what we are thankful for. So…
Today I LOVE: Running Pain-Free!





