Last night I hopped on my recumbent bike (a $50 bargain from my neighbor). I rode 3.44 miles in about 25 minutes. 8.3 mph is not great, but considering I have done n.o.t.h.i.n.g. since June 2012, I'll take it.
I purchased the bike towards the end of last year, but I've been avoiding it. I can't run right now, and that depresses me to no end. A significant jaunt will leave my knee sore and stiff, so a true run is completely out of the question. My physical therapist said I could probably bike for 20-30 minutes without a problem. Of course, I haven't seen my PT since October due to some insurance issues because of the sale of my company. So as the days dragged on, and I moved further and further away from the advice, I worried that a ride would end in pain, and I still would not be able to exercise.
Truth be told, my knee was sore yesterday. I'm a little bummed out, but I'm hoping that it just needs a bit of strengthening. My insurance is STILL being sorted out right now (almost 4 months later!), but once everything is settled, I'll be able to return to PT. Between that, the bike, and some yoga, I'm hoping my knee will be strong enough to train for the Brookhaven Bolt again this year. I'm also considering the Peachtree Road Race, though last year ended so poorly for me, I'm not sure I'm emotionally ready to try again. I have a few weeks left to decide, though.
In other news, I've started updating a blog I created last year. Basically it's a blog for book reviews, so I can keep track of my reading and write just a little bit. My goal is to read 52 books in 2013. I think I read maybe 6 or 7 last year? And that includes a certain book series that I don't think is necessarily appropriate to discuss in polite company. So check out the blog, if you'd like. Or don't. I doubt it'll be very interesting to anyone but me.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Friday, October 5, 2012
Merry Christmas, Baby
I'm in an incredibly good mood today, and since I feel the need to overshare why, and the why is far too long for a Facebook status, and because I'm obviously not blogging about running right now, but I know you're all desperately curious as to what's going on with me...I thought I'd blog about my incredibly good mood.
I had a very strange dream last night. I watched the newest episode of Bones before bed. It involved some weird explosions in a Big Gulp cup. I guess that carried over into my dream last night, which started out as a nightmare. There was a man in my apartment playing a creepy game with me. There was something in my bedroom that would trigger an explosion, and if I didn't find it in a set amount of time, the explosion would just happen.
I was very confused in this dream, not entirely sure why I was targeted by some psycho pyro. Eventually, he restrained me so that I couldn't find the detonator...then things got weird. Jason Segal showed up to help me out. He was in this great mood talking about a surprise. This horrible weird nightmare segment of my dream was a ruse, because someone was planning something special for me. I eventually made it out of my bedroom and into my living room where Eric had turned the entire apartment into a magical Christmas winter wonderland. There were about 4 Christmas trees in the dining room, baked goods in the kitchen, wreathes hanging on the walls, Christmas pillows on the couch, garlands hanging over the TV, bowls of candy, lights everywhere, and porch was filled to the brim with more trees and bushes, lit up and decorated with all of my favorite ornaments from childhood. It was so romantic and wonderful. And so, so weird.
I woke up in the best mood.
I had a very strange dream last night. I watched the newest episode of Bones before bed. It involved some weird explosions in a Big Gulp cup. I guess that carried over into my dream last night, which started out as a nightmare. There was a man in my apartment playing a creepy game with me. There was something in my bedroom that would trigger an explosion, and if I didn't find it in a set amount of time, the explosion would just happen.
I was very confused in this dream, not entirely sure why I was targeted by some psycho pyro. Eventually, he restrained me so that I couldn't find the detonator...then things got weird. Jason Segal showed up to help me out. He was in this great mood talking about a surprise. This horrible weird nightmare segment of my dream was a ruse, because someone was planning something special for me. I eventually made it out of my bedroom and into my living room where Eric had turned the entire apartment into a magical Christmas winter wonderland. There were about 4 Christmas trees in the dining room, baked goods in the kitchen, wreathes hanging on the walls, Christmas pillows on the couch, garlands hanging over the TV, bowls of candy, lights everywhere, and porch was filled to the brim with more trees and bushes, lit up and decorated with all of my favorite ornaments from childhood. It was so romantic and wonderful. And so, so weird.
I woke up in the best mood.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
In (k)need of an update?
I apologize for the horrible pun, but I wanted to give you a heads up that this post will be all about my knee!
I hate my knee. And my knee hates me. We aren't on speaking terms right now.
I bought a brace. The brace worked alright. It's made out of neoprene or whatever it is that wetsuits are made from, so it gets very hot and very tight very quickly. I was full of good intentions when I first got it. Start walking again. Do some light weightlifting. Anything to get active and build up some muscle to support my temperamental knee. But, you know. Once you have an excuse to be lazy, you sort of make lots of excuses to stay lazy, so exercise and fitness remained on hold.
And then an embarrassing thing happened on Sunday. I stood up from the couch and broke my knee.
Okay, it's not really broken, but it felt that way on Sunday. I hobbled around for most of the night in pain, which was a hilarious sight for Eric and Johnny-dog. It was throbbing so much that it actually woke my up a few times. I promised Eric that if it didn't feel better by Friday, I'd call a doctor.
Then I went to work on Monday. An hour long drive in the rain. By the time I got out of the car, my knee was so stiff that when I went to straighten it I almost buckled over from the pain. Not good. Luckily, I work about a mile from my PA's office and they open at 8:00 a.m. I called immediately and made an appointment for the afternoon.
My PA was out, but a saw a great NP who tested for a meniscus tear and said she didn't hear/feel the normal signs. She diagnosed me with Patellar Tendinitis, prescribed me some hard drugs, told me to ice it regularly, and said that PT was no longer an "option". As in, if I want to be active ever again, I have to go. Cost is still something of an issue, but I've called today to work out a schedule, and I'm hopeful to begin in a few weeks.
Running at the moment is completely out of the question. Walking for more than 10 minutes is still kind of laughable. But, I have a plan and a wonderfully supportive boyfriend, so hopefully I can stop being a lazy asshole and start getting better.
I hate my knee. And my knee hates me. We aren't on speaking terms right now.
I bought a brace. The brace worked alright. It's made out of neoprene or whatever it is that wetsuits are made from, so it gets very hot and very tight very quickly. I was full of good intentions when I first got it. Start walking again. Do some light weightlifting. Anything to get active and build up some muscle to support my temperamental knee. But, you know. Once you have an excuse to be lazy, you sort of make lots of excuses to stay lazy, so exercise and fitness remained on hold.
And then an embarrassing thing happened on Sunday. I stood up from the couch and broke my knee.
Okay, it's not really broken, but it felt that way on Sunday. I hobbled around for most of the night in pain, which was a hilarious sight for Eric and Johnny-dog. It was throbbing so much that it actually woke my up a few times. I promised Eric that if it didn't feel better by Friday, I'd call a doctor.
Then I went to work on Monday. An hour long drive in the rain. By the time I got out of the car, my knee was so stiff that when I went to straighten it I almost buckled over from the pain. Not good. Luckily, I work about a mile from my PA's office and they open at 8:00 a.m. I called immediately and made an appointment for the afternoon.
My PA was out, but a saw a great NP who tested for a meniscus tear and said she didn't hear/feel the normal signs. She diagnosed me with Patellar Tendinitis, prescribed me some hard drugs, told me to ice it regularly, and said that PT was no longer an "option". As in, if I want to be active ever again, I have to go. Cost is still something of an issue, but I've called today to work out a schedule, and I'm hopeful to begin in a few weeks.
Running at the moment is completely out of the question. Walking for more than 10 minutes is still kind of laughable. But, I have a plan and a wonderfully supportive boyfriend, so hopefully I can stop being a lazy asshole and start getting better.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Still not dead
Still not dead, but sad. Here's what's been going on.
When last we spoke I gave you a recap of my running adventures while on vacation in NC. I still haven't run since 6/19.
My stomach was in a bad way for quite a while, so I finally went to see a doctor. I went mostly lactose free for a few weeks and took some meds, and it's finally starting act close to normal. I still feel uncomfortable more than I'd like, however, so I'm thinking of trying one of those fancy cleanses I've been judging for years. I don't know. I need to do more research, but clearly I'm putting stuff into my body that I shouldn't be. Just not quite sure what it is yet.
My knee on the other hand - I don't know. While I was at the doc's for my stomach, I brought up my knee. This appointment was back on 7/9, and my knee was still swollen from my fall on Memorial Day. The doctor recommended I see an orthopaedist, so I scheduled an appointment with one who specialized in sports medicine. Basically, I felt very rushed through the appointment and I didn't feel like all my concerns were addressed. He took x-rays, but didn't review them before prescribing an MRI and PT (neither of which I can really afford right now). I did find out that my knees turn outward, which is common in women, and that taping them or wearing a brace could help, but I have some pretty, um, massive thighs, so I've had trouble finding a brace that fits.
So my knee treatment has been put on hold. SAD FACE. Which means my running has been put on hold indefinitely. VERY SAD FACE. Which means no half marathon. Again. UGLY CRY SAD FACE. Also, my knee is only getting worse. I walked the Peachtree Road Race with my friend Jenn on July 4. It's a 10k, and I could barely walk for the rest of the day. I also walked a 5k for work a few weeks ago and same story - pain for the rest of the day.
I finally started putting real effort into find a good brace for active people that comes in larger sizes, and ended up ordering this from REI (thanks to a rec from Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point). It's supposed to arrive in my store for pick up on Thursday, so Johnnydog and I have a long walk date that night, and we'll see how it goes from there.
Hopefully it ends up being a miracle cure, but I have my serious doubts. I'll keep you, yes you, my one single reader, posted.
When last we spoke I gave you a recap of my running adventures while on vacation in NC. I still haven't run since 6/19.
My stomach was in a bad way for quite a while, so I finally went to see a doctor. I went mostly lactose free for a few weeks and took some meds, and it's finally starting act close to normal. I still feel uncomfortable more than I'd like, however, so I'm thinking of trying one of those fancy cleanses I've been judging for years. I don't know. I need to do more research, but clearly I'm putting stuff into my body that I shouldn't be. Just not quite sure what it is yet.
My knee on the other hand - I don't know. While I was at the doc's for my stomach, I brought up my knee. This appointment was back on 7/9, and my knee was still swollen from my fall on Memorial Day. The doctor recommended I see an orthopaedist, so I scheduled an appointment with one who specialized in sports medicine. Basically, I felt very rushed through the appointment and I didn't feel like all my concerns were addressed. He took x-rays, but didn't review them before prescribing an MRI and PT (neither of which I can really afford right now). I did find out that my knees turn outward, which is common in women, and that taping them or wearing a brace could help, but I have some pretty, um, massive thighs, so I've had trouble finding a brace that fits.
So my knee treatment has been put on hold. SAD FACE. Which means my running has been put on hold indefinitely. VERY SAD FACE. Which means no half marathon. Again. UGLY CRY SAD FACE. Also, my knee is only getting worse. I walked the Peachtree Road Race with my friend Jenn on July 4. It's a 10k, and I could barely walk for the rest of the day. I also walked a 5k for work a few weeks ago and same story - pain for the rest of the day.
I finally started putting real effort into find a good brace for active people that comes in larger sizes, and ended up ordering this from REI (thanks to a rec from Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point). It's supposed to arrive in my store for pick up on Thursday, so Johnnydog and I have a long walk date that night, and we'll see how it goes from there.
Hopefully it ends up being a miracle cure, but I have my serious doubts. I'll keep you, yes you, my one single reader, posted.
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