Grounded

So in early September, I woke one Friday with my left knee hurting and the lower calf feeling odd.  I say odd because I can't really describe what it feels like.  Just not like it should but not really painful.  I continued to run my normal runs because it didn't hurt while I was running but bending down or sitting cross legged or sitting on my left leg was extremely painful.  Finally it got to the point that when I ran it did hurt and hurt so that I could make it a tenth of a mile.  So off to the doctor I go.

The doctor thinks it is patellofemoral syndrome and sent me to physical therapy.  I like my PT, she isn't a sadist as I was afraid she would be but she did ground me from running.  Now there would have been a time when I would have been so happy to have a reason to not run but it seems I have crossed some line or corner that I didn't know existed and I miss running.

So I have completed two weeks of PT and was feeling much better and I started looking for a 10K again.  I've been looking for one to enter for a little while now.  Well I didn't find a 10K but I found a 15K (9.3 miles).  In St. Louis is the Hot Chocolate 15K on Dec 14.  It's a bit hilly though and I'm concerned with not being able to run for another 2 weeks if I could be ready.  I have done 6.2 miles and was doing it regularly before PT but 4 weeks with no running is not good for training.

I found out last night that I better not plan on doing this 15K though.  Last night I running late to the homecoming game and didn't want to miss Mei being escorted across the field by Bo, so I ran halfway across the school parking lot when they announced her name.  I know.  I shouldn't have, but I did.  I also, upon getting up in the stand, kneeled down to take pictures.  I couldn't kneel long as the sharp pain was extremely intense.  My knee thobbed through out the night and all today.  I've iced it twice already and am about to ice again along with doing the exercises.  This is not looking good.

I now know I'm a runner.........

I now know I'm a runner.  Why do I know I'm a runner now, because when I downloaded my watch today and looked at my total for the week, I immediately started thinking: "Only .03 more and I would have had 15 miles for this week.  Ok, that means I've got to put my running shoes back on and go do 1.03 and make it 16 miles."

You thought I was going to say go run .03 and make it an even 15 didn't you?  Well what kind of runner would I be if I did that?  If I'm putting my shoes on then I'm at least putting in a mile.  And maybe even 2.03 miles.  We will just have to see.

But the 14.97 miles is nothing to feel bad about.  See this is the most miles I have EVER ran in one week.  One week!!!!  Yes, I know, my wonderful husband ran 13.1 in 2:23 just 14 days ago but that is him and that isn't me.  This is the girl that three years ago when I LOOKED at the couch to 5K app's day 1 week 1 exercise routine wondered if I would ever run for 1 minute much less for 1 mile.

I've come a long way baby!!!  Now you must understand I'm not a fast runner.  I don't know if I will ever be a fast runner, cause that isn't my goal.  I also don't look beautiful when I run.  My hair pulled back in a ponytail makes my face look rounder than normal and my lines of wisdom more apparent.  Soooo not a pretty site.  My legs, stomach and butt jiggle like jello and I sweat.  I mean I really sweat.  There is no way you can call that glistening.  I am also not very graceful.  I do not look like those wonderful professional inspirational photos that everyone post on their Facebook.  I resemble something more like a hippo or elephant.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not down on myself and before anyone starts hammering me about on hippo and elephant abuse, I think they are beautiful creatures.  I'm just saying when I say I'm a runner, please don't imagine one of the elites going down the street.

I'm very proud of how far I have come and I am excited to see where I am going to go with this.  It's all about me and my times and my races and my miles.  And I am loving every step I take.

The Day After

So I'm moving today.  That's a good thing.  Not as sore as I thought I would be but I certainly know where my quad muscles are thanks to hills.  Some soreness in my ads from working on how my core as I run.  But really, I'm not that bad.  I know I need to run tomorrow night if I can.  We are doing training around the state this week for work and will be getting late each day but I will certainly try to get moving.

One step at a time.  It's all I can do.