I never used to be big on setting goals for myself - I more less just coasted through life. Then running came along, and all of a sudden I'm a goal freak. Qualify for Boston, run a sub-20 minute 5k, run an ultra-marathon, my list keeps growing.
I've been tossing around the idea of doing a triathlon for awhile, but it just isn't conducive to my life right now (in terms of both the time commitment and the gear cost). But, last night I declared to my wife that I *will* complete an Ironman triathlon before I turn 40. I mean, who wouldn't want to run a full marathon after swimming 2.4 miles and biking 112 miles?
Of course, as soon as I said that I wanted to do that before I turned 40, I realized that I only have 10 years until I'm over the hill. I don't want to get old. My age crisis continues to grow.
In completely unrelated news, as someone who has nearly thrown his Windows Vista PC through the wall on numerous occasions, I was excited to see that Mark is giving away a free copy of Windows 7 on his blog. Go check it out.
Self-Diagnosis
One of the few perks of loading bags for an airline is that when there are no planes on the ground, there is essentially no work to be done. So, I've been putting my downtime (about 1/2 my shift) to good use, and I spent the better part of the last work week searching the internet in an attempt to figure out what's going on with my knee.
And my conclusion is:
My IT band is angry. Very angry.
When I read some descriptions of IT band pain early on in my quest for an answer, the symptoms didn't really seem to fit. But, the more I read, the more convinced I am that my IT band is the problem. When I was looking at the appropriate stretches and exercises to relieve symptoms, I had immediate flashbacks to the physical therapist I saw back in high school for knee pain from playing hockey. (Of course, that physical therapist scarred me for life when he started laughing out loud at my inflexibility - apparently I had the tightest hamstrings he had ever dealt with.)
I don't go back to the doctor for another week, but until then, I'm going with my "professional self-diagnosis" and calling the cause of the pain my IT Band. I printed off some of the stretches, and I'll be doing my best to get it loosened up so I can get back to running.
And my conclusion is:
My IT band is angry. Very angry.
When I read some descriptions of IT band pain early on in my quest for an answer, the symptoms didn't really seem to fit. But, the more I read, the more convinced I am that my IT band is the problem. When I was looking at the appropriate stretches and exercises to relieve symptoms, I had immediate flashbacks to the physical therapist I saw back in high school for knee pain from playing hockey. (Of course, that physical therapist scarred me for life when he started laughing out loud at my inflexibility - apparently I had the tightest hamstrings he had ever dealt with.)
I don't go back to the doctor for another week, but until then, I'm going with my "professional self-diagnosis" and calling the cause of the pain my IT Band. I printed off some of the stretches, and I'll be doing my best to get it loosened up so I can get back to running.
Labels:
injuries
Normal X-rays
The doc said my knee x-ray came back normal (that's not my knee x-ray, just some random one I found online). I guess that's good! It still doesn't tell me why I can't run on it, but at least it's not 'bone-on-bone' like half of my co-workers at the airport. I'm supposed to keep taking my prescription meds and see the doc again in two weeks. This morning I attempted to run again. Made it a little over a mile before I had to stop. Same thing when I tried a couple of days ago. I'll walk for about 100 yards and the pain is almost completely gone. But if I start running again, it flares back up almost instantly. I'll probably keep trying every couple of days to see how it goes. I need to get running again. I'm starting to get a little grumpy, and I'm pretty sure I can see the fat on my belly expanding again - not good. My wife and I are contemplating going camping in Hawaii for my 30th birthday in February (we met on the Big Island), and I was planning on having a six-pack by then. Probably not anymore!
In unrelated news, I have a new-found appreciation for Brussels sprouts and asparagus. Yum. Except that as soon as I finished typing 'Yum' I reached for a piece of asparagus and dropped it on the floor. With two dogs around, ummm, yeah, I don't think I'll eat that now.
Went To The Doctor...
I went to the doc this morning for my knee. It's still been bothering me - not so much pain, but a lot of numbness radiating down my leg (kind of like a pinched nerve and loss of blood circulation). He sent me for some x-rays, so hopefully that will show something (or the numbness just goes away).
This was the first time that I mentioned to my doc that I run a lot. I've heard so many people say that they had to switch doctors because there's told them how bad running is for their joints, and so on. But, he said I could keep running as much as I wanted, but to stop immediately if it hurts while running, at least until we get this figured out. I'm beginning to think that seeing a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) rather than a Medical Doctor (MD) has been one of my better medical decisions.
So, I may try to run a little this afternoon to see how it goes. It's been awhile.
This was the first time that I mentioned to my doc that I run a lot. I've heard so many people say that they had to switch doctors because there's told them how bad running is for their joints, and so on. But, he said I could keep running as much as I wanted, but to stop immediately if it hurts while running, at least until we get this figured out. I'm beginning to think that seeing a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) rather than a Medical Doctor (MD) has been one of my better medical decisions.
So, I may try to run a little this afternoon to see how it goes. It's been awhile.
Labels:
injuries
Still No Running
I'm not running again yet. My right knee is still bothering me when I try. It's killing me to stay inside and work on homework instead of running outside. If the pain doesn't go away by the end of the weekend, I'll probably break down and go see either my regular doc or my physical therapist guy.
In the meantime, I've been trying to do some other exercises every night. Lately that's consisted of planking (2 times, 1 minute each time), situps (2 sets of 50), and pushups (1 set of 25). I haven't done pushups for a long time but I always *think* I should be able to do more of them than I can - especially since my job involves repeatedly throwing peoples luggage around inside the belly of an airplane. Maybe I need to get rid of the union mentality and work a little harder.
Completely unrelated, but I'm mildy surprised Brooks would make a commercial like this one. Being an immigrant myself though, I don't feel the least bit bad about laughing at it.
In the meantime, I've been trying to do some other exercises every night. Lately that's consisted of planking (2 times, 1 minute each time), situps (2 sets of 50), and pushups (1 set of 25). I haven't done pushups for a long time but I always *think* I should be able to do more of them than I can - especially since my job involves repeatedly throwing peoples luggage around inside the belly of an airplane. Maybe I need to get rid of the union mentality and work a little harder.
Completely unrelated, but I'm mildy surprised Brooks would make a commercial like this one. Being an immigrant myself though, I don't feel the least bit bad about laughing at it.
Labels:
cross-training,
injuries
Shortest Run Ever
I ran all of 0.10 miles before calling it quits. I walked 1/4 mile to warm-up (before starting Guido), and within the first few running steps I knew I was in trouble. My right knee apparently wants nothing to do with running right now. I tried to force it, but I was running with such bad form that I knew that it would be a mistake to keep going. Damnit. All I wanted to do was go for a run this afternoon to clear my mind. I won't have time to run tomorrow, and so it will be at least 48 hours before I can make another attempt. At least this didn't happen right before the marathon.
Labels:
injuries
Yesterday Was My Lucky Day
So, yesterday turned out to be a pretty good day (besides my biology professor wanting to get into an ethical debate with me about why a vegan doesn't want to take part in animal dissections).
First, I actually won a giveaway on a blog! WooHoo! I somehow managed to win some Luna Bars from Candice at I Have Run. I've seen these bars at the grocery store, but never actually tried them. What better opportunity than when they're free, right?
Second, I came home from school to find a small package from up North. My friend Bill had made me a special necklace to commemorate my first marathon (he happens to be an ultra marathoner and just finished his first 100k race). Somehow he managed to carve a running figure into a piece of rock, and on the back of the stone he carved "26.2" and the date that I ran my first marathon. I was pretty excited.
I also went for an almost 7 mile run yesterday. Had some random aches and pains, especially in my knees and ankles. My legs are probably still a little angry at me for putting them through a marathon (if they only knew what else is coming!) It was odd though, as the pain was never in two places at the same time - my left knee would hurt, then my right ankle, then my right knee, then..... But, it was a nice day to be out running.
First, I actually won a giveaway on a blog! WooHoo! I somehow managed to win some Luna Bars from Candice at I Have Run. I've seen these bars at the grocery store, but never actually tried them. What better opportunity than when they're free, right?
Second, I came home from school to find a small package from up North. My friend Bill had made me a special necklace to commemorate my first marathon (he happens to be an ultra marathoner and just finished his first 100k race). Somehow he managed to carve a running figure into a piece of rock, and on the back of the stone he carved "26.2" and the date that I ran my first marathon. I was pretty excited.
I also went for an almost 7 mile run yesterday. Had some random aches and pains, especially in my knees and ankles. My legs are probably still a little angry at me for putting them through a marathon (if they only knew what else is coming!) It was odd though, as the pain was never in two places at the same time - my left knee would hurt, then my right ankle, then my right knee, then..... But, it was a nice day to be out running.
6.92 miles
59:32
8:36/mile
59:32
8:36/mile
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