November Was Not Fun!

November was not a good month for running. It was a good month in all other aspects of life but when I am not running things just aren't the same. I did run the Las Vegas Half Marathon because my knee felt a lot better but after that race things returned to the same as they were before. It was not fun and I haven't ran since that race. I logged a whole 20 mile for the month of November. 

It was tough not running because the temperatures have really dropped and I really wanted to be out there enjoying it with everyone else. I miss the running club as well and seeing their Facebook posts makes me sad because I want to be out there running with them.

I have seen the my doctor and all of the tests didn't show any signs of a serious injury. Nothing is broken or torn but I have this pain on the inside of my knee cap. The only conclusion that they have come to is that I have runners knee and just need to rest it.

I started physical therapy last Friday and my knee felt a lot better the next day. My PT gave me 15 minutes of electrotherapy and she also did some ultrasound therapy as well. She showed me some strengthening exercises which are definitely for my quads and hips because those exercises left me feeling a little sore this week.

I was told that I can run but I haven't by choice. My knee usually hurts when I touch it or after I run but it has actually been pain free for a few days now. I am excited about it but at the same time I am willing to wait it out because I have no big races on the calendar. I want to be healthy and ready for 2015 so I know what I have to do to get myself there. PATIENCE!

There have been lots of positive things that have happened since I have not been running. I have done some things that I have been putting off around the house and I have spent more time with my family. It has also felt nice to have an open calendar and not have to worry so much about scheduling my life around my runs. I have sleeping a little bit more and I actually did all of my indoor Christmas decorating way in advance.

I have a lot to be thankful for so I have been keeping my head up and count my blessings. 

How was your November?

Have you started decorating or shopping for Christmas?

A Meltdown, H-Waves and an Extension!

I was feeling pretty bad this morning about going to PT.

I guess I am just sick of being injured and not being able to run!

The pain is still lingering and the fact that the

LA Marathon is this Sunday did not help.

Today was the day for my re-evaluation at physical therapy.

The results would determine if I would need to continue 

with the physical therapy or not.

My PT will be running the LA Marathon this weekend.

All of the patients know about it and she was telling them

how great her training is going and how excited she is.

Great...just what I needed to hear.

My PT was asking how I was feeling and I told her I was frustrated.

I told her that I know that I am better but not 100%.

I told her that as long as I can't run, I don't consider myself better.

She started talking to me about the healing process..blah blah blah

and I had a meltdown!

I explained to her that it has been five weeks and I am done!

I even told her that perhaps I was misdiagnosed and something

more serious must be wrong.

Legally she cannot discuss my MRI with me and I have to consult
my doctor but she disappeared for a moment and then returned.

I am pretty sure she took a sneak peak at my MRI because

she told me that my diagnosis was correct and that I would be 

running soon but just need to be patient.

Soon, what does that mean?  A year?

She did lots of PT things to me today that she doesn't 

normally do.  Today she gave me a massage, ultrasound therapy 

and this..

It's called H-Wave and it's a form of electrotherapy.  It's supposed to
help with pain and healing.  I thought it was weird how it made my
leg jump around! It made me feel like it was working!

I think my PT felt sorry for me so she extended my treatment
for another 8 weeks because she said that she wants to see me
running before she sets me free!
The plan is alternating jogging and walking 
on the treadmill.
The highest speed I am allowed to do is 5.0!
That's some serious speedwork so watch out!

I have my last big exam to complete my degree this Saturday!
I will be so glad when it's over.
On Sunday, the LA Marathon will be broadcasted live so
I will be in my bed crying on Sunday at 7:00am in case you need me!
( I know, I'm such a complainer...I promise I will stop soon!)