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Weekend Running Report

So this weekend was a great running weekend. A wonderful start to picking up where I left off weeks ago. Cardiovascular wise I am still in great shape. I had no problems convincing my physical therapist Lucas that I was up for the 8 mile run on Saturday with Coach and the rest of the BDP clan and of course my good friend Kelley Taylor. He agreed and so on Saturday I ran!
Saturday morning was a beautiful, warm summer morning. I showed up right on time and the whole crew was already gathered. We set off at different times and slightly different paces but that didn't really matter b/c it was easy to feel camaraderie between us all.
I had a blast running down the trail with Kelley and we soon found ourselves running 7:10's with no issues and the best part...my knee was holding up. My stride was in full swing and I felt very comfortable. The trail looked better than usual and I was quickly reminded why I love running so much....especially with a wonderful friend (and even though she's been gone, the love is still there).
Then it was off to yoga to practice my headstands (love them!). I'm improving in my yoga as well.
Sunday was a work day but I didn't let that stop me from getting in another 8 mile run.
Ran with Andy (while he biked beside me...what a wonderful guy). Another great run and I had to hold myself back when I realized I had increased the pace to a nice, steady 6:35 pace. I admit that I did hold it for a while and only backed off b/c I didn't want to hurt my knee. Oops. Then it was 30 mins on the bike and then another quick yoga session.
Crazy busy but I feel good and I'm going to sleep well tonight.
It's really great to have Kelley back.
It was awesome to see all of my BDP friends b/c I do miss them so much.
And it's great to have running back.

Now on Tuesday I get my second injection of Synvisc and it will be another 48 hours of no running but I'm anticipating feeling even better after the 2nd injection. Of course, I'm afraid it's going to hurt even more then 2nd time b/c I still have a pretty bad bruise from the first shot and he's going to inject the same area again......so I'm a little anxious again.

Advice

So I want to go back to school. Registered Dietitian. I already have a degree BSN so from what I understand I can go back to school and just take the necessary classes to sit for the exam. Lots of people think I'm crazy and that I should stick to nursing or further my education in nursing. That's really not where I want to be in 20 years.
I eventually want to work for myself.
I also want to find the time to study yoga more in depth. Any advice?

Synvis 1

Today was a special day for many reasons. I had my first post France run with Kelley (Taylor) and I had my first injection of Synvisc into my knee. Kelley held my hand which was awesome.
First the next 48 hours no running but I can bike and swim. No hard impact just b/c of the pain that comes with having a needle pushed into your knee joint.
I'm very confident that this is all going very well. Today I had an awesome 5 mile run with Kelley and there was no pain and we kept up a pretty pace.
Let's just say......I'm not far from being my ole self.

Knee Update

Hey guys,
Just wanted to give an update on my knee. It's actually doing very well. I'm back to running. Today I ran 5 miles at a 730 pace. This is very good for me. I've been running 4-5 miles a day at an 8 minute pace so today was the fastest I've gone in a while. Yay for me!

I've been going to physical therapy for a week now. We are working on increasing the muscle strength in my left leg. The idea is to build up the muscles in the patella and created a medial patella pull. This changes the tracking of the knee joint while I run. We've been taping the knee and I've had great success so we are going in the right direction. I will have my first Synvisc injection next Tuesday and then will continue to have 2 more in the following 2 weeks.
I'm really excited about how well things are going. Thanks for all the good wishes.

A taped knee is a good knee indeed

So today was another big day for me. I ran 4 miles this morning at an 8 minute pace. No pain and no swelling. Very cool, huh. I'm very happy. According to my therapist Lucas, I need to keep the pace and distance during the weekend. I can increase my distance hopefully after Monday's visit with him. Although we are increasing distance before speed is increased. It's odd but my muscles are sore a little from the running.
I saw Dr. Donato again, he's the ortho doc that I'm seeing, but this time it was at work. When he saw me he asked me if I still hated him. I laughed and I told him that after I saw him I did have a hard time taking in the information and I sat in the car and cried for a while. It was amazing how much more gentler he was during this conversation. Maybe it's me and my attitude. IDK.
Anyway, I can't tell you how much better I feel just after a few visits with my physical therapist and talking to other doctors. Dr. Donato said that I may never forget which knee had the pain it but I'll be back to training soon.
So tomorrow...a nice easy 4 mile run and then a kick ass swim with Bryan Ruff.
Things are looking up.

I went for a run today...here's what happened

So today was all about being proactive and taking care of business. I had a physical therapy appointment with Atlantic Physical Therapy. They have always been wonderful to me and really understand how important running is to me. Lucas (my PT) was completely supportive and positive. He discussed lots of options and how treatment plan. Basically we need to strengthen the entire leg so it's going to require work and commitment on my part. Not a problem.
And then there is the tape option. He taped my knee today and there was some improvement in my pain for my knee. Now I'm not sure if it was the time off or the tape...I'm hoping it was the tape so I can keep using it and keep running.
I went for an easy 4 mile run today. 8 minute miles is slow for me but I was happy to be out there. But since most of you know me pretty well, what I also love about running is being competitive and fast. Otherwise, and I hate to say it but I don't feel the same love.
Also, I'm getting a second opinion tomorrow from a Pain Management and Rehab Sports Medicine doctor tomorrow. I don't expect a miracle but I have a hard time believing that in this day and age when people can run with bionic legs and can live off of a fake heart that there isn't more options out there.
Anyway that's my little update on whats going on physically.
Otherwise, I'm very frustrated with my little ability to run and be as active as I want to be. If I have one more person act surprise that I have osteoarthritis and say ("at your age...oh my goodness) I might just go off. I'm trying to hard to be patient but it's not what I'm known for.
I do appreciate all the positive thoughts that you guys have sent my way. I appreciate and love you guys a ton.
Now I'm off to ride the damn trainer and take my glucosamine and Naproxen. haha

And the Doctor says....

The good news is that my diagnosis is Osteoarthritis
The bad news is that there really isn't any real fix for this pain diagnosis. Just pain management. My ortho doc wasn't as optimistic as Dr. Bresnahan was to me.
Plan in Action
1. I already take Glucosamine
2. Shark cartilage? Cat's claw bark?

3. Physical therapy, taping
4. Orthotics
5. New shoes...Newtons?
6. Dr. B visits
7. naproxen every day BIS
8, Synvisc shots
The Synvisc shots act as a cushion between the joints. It's temporary and it only works 6/10 patients. Here's hoping.
I'm going to be very honest with you guys about how I felt and how I still feel.
When the doc was talking to me I wanted to cry. I was angry. He acted as if there was nothing I could do. That if I had any sense at all...I should stop running. I didn't cry in front of him. I waited until I was in the elevator. I put on my glasses and walked to my car. I sat in the car and cried until I felt better.
Then I got angry. Who the fuck did he think he was to sit there and judge me? I have a runner girl tattoo on my hip?! Imagine a girl who as a runner tattoo but can't run...should I put her on crutches? I can do anything. I can withstand this pain if need be. I just can't imagine that in this time there's nothing to be done.
Now I'm in denial. (If anyone else wants to join me then they are welcome). According to Dr B, I've had this condition for a while I'm just in a flare up right now and it will be managed.
So tomorrow I have an appt with Andy Altman and I'm going to go for a run.

MRI results -It's not pretty

1. Mild joint effusion (not too bad)
2. A full thickness chondral lession approximate 15x9mm (I'm screwed)
3. Small Medical meniscal peripheral interior corner tear, posterior body (not too bad, again)
4. No lateral meniscal or ligament tear is identified
5. No stress fracture is identified



So what does this mean....I haven't spoken to my ortho doc....I just got the report from the radiologist and I know enough to freak myself out and to be a pain in the ass. From what I've read a chondral lesion (at least the full thickness huge ass lesion that I have...from what I've read this lesion is large) does require some arthroscopic surgery. Not cool at all and no amount of glucosamine will help this. I do take it but it's not going to help now.
From what I can see..b/c I demand high impact from my knee what they suggest is debridement and then repair. Repair can be done several ways but one method is to replace the cartilage with new cartilage (hyaline cartilage).
So, I think I should prepare myself for the long haul here.

The bad news

So I just got back from the doctor. The xray showed some arthritis and nothing really else. So for now.........no running at all. And an MRI. I'm really sad about the no running. I'm a running junkie. But for now, it looks as if I need to focus on some other activities. Riding my bike and swimming. These aren't activities that I normally look forward to but I really have no option right now. Maybe if I find some a goal or a race to look forward to..some bike event maybe that will help.

Doc appt....keep your fingers crossed

I have a doctor appt tomorrow with an orthopedic surgeon...here's hoping that he figures out whats going on with my knee. Keep your fingers crossed please! I'll let you guys know as soon as I know.

Staying busy

So my knee has been swollen for a couple of days. I started back with yoga. I joined the studio Oceanfront yoga. They are literally 10 feet from my apartment. And today will be day 2 of no running. I'm lucky that I have a road bike and a trainer that I can set up in my living room and get a workout in at any time..........but I'm a runner not a cyclist so it's driving me a little crazy. I enjoy cycling but I hate that I have to depend on it for a workout. It doesn't feel as good as running does. I'm trying to stay strong and dedicated to my resolve of taking a couple of days off to get my knee better.
I think the knee thing is my own stupid fault. I think doing some hill repeats really bummed my knee. Actually, if you are familiar with muscles in the legs........the peronous muscles on my left leg were really tight and hurtful. I think I just hurt my leg b/c of that.
Anyway, I came up with a creative way to work out. I did 3 sets of 30 minutes on the bike and then I lifted weights and did abs in between each set.
I then baked for like 4 hours to keep myself entertained. So, I'm staying busy.

My knee

Okay so my knee has been swollen for a couple of days. Well, since last Thursday so it's been a week now. I've seen my doctor....Dr. Don. I've been icing like crazy. I've been able to run but only about 8 or so miles and I have to run at an easy pace. When I'm done, I immediately have to ice again. This morning I spent 90 mins on my trainer and I lifted weights. I want to run this evening. I know I can run easy and ice and I can deal with the pain. But there's a part of me that says I should not run. What should I do?

Words into Actions

Today was a day all about action...putting my words into action.
I've always loved Yoga but I have a hard time going. Sometimes it's b/c I lose interest in an hour class or I don't want to drive but I've found an amazing place. Actually I've lived beside it for a year but I just started there recently. Oceanfront Yoga. It was wonderful. The room wasn't overcrowded with too many people. The instructor Emily was amazing. The view from the room was the best ever. It's an unobstructed view of the ocean. Truly beautiful...I loved doing yoga with a view of the ocean.

Also, today I had lunch with the owner of Norfolk's Fitness Together. There will be some interesting plans developing later. I will keep you posted

Taking Care of Myself

So I'm someone who hates stretching. I'm inconsistent at best and I only stretch about 2-3 times a week for about 15 minutes. I really do believe I need to stretch everyday b/c this would make me a better runner..... not to mention just someone who overall is just in better shape period. But how in the world do I make myself do this.............
I need a stretching buddy! Just like I have people who run with me, I need someone who stretches with me. Who at least someone who calls me and says "Hey Renee, um did you stretch today?" I know lots of people say they stretch while they watch television. Well, I don't watch that much tv but I guess I could do that.
1. Must stretch when television is on!
When I do get on the floor to stretch my puppies believe it is play time. I guess when I'm on the floor I'm in their territory now. It's a free for all anytime I get down on the floor to stretch. I try to pretend it's puppy play time and that they are trying to help me. Although it can be hard to stretch when you have a puppy on your back.
2. Stretch after every run.
I've done this in the past. Even cutting runs short so I can stretch if I'm running out of time. This works best if it's the Tuesday/Thursday/or even Saturday run.

So what do you guys do?

Rejection?

So my last post was about rejection and the rejection that I've been dealing with lately. The rejection I've been dealing with has to do with my work life. I currently work in a job that I'm not entirely happy about. My work is very stressful and it's leaves me feeling drained and often so stressed out that I 'm not very happy when I get home.
I've been doing some soul searching trying to figure out what I'm doing with my life. I know people who are off traveling the world and enjoying life but I'm still here stuck in a rut. I'm stuck somwhere between wanting to be free to live my life my way and car payments, school loans, health insurance and all the other bullshit. Figuring out a way to be happy.
So I've been looking around and I've had to deal with some rejections. I don't like rejection and I hate when things don't go my way. So, every time I get knocked down it's harder to get back up. That's all.

The Power of Rejection

Sometimes I'm not sure how much rejection a person must take in life. I grew up knowing that not everyone's dreams come true and that's just how it is. And last night Andy told me that Life is about rejection and I thought "how horrible is that".

But I've always thought my dreams would come true. Day after day I work at them and I've always tried to do the right things during my life but still somehow I still deal with daily disappointments and rejection. So I ask you when is it too much? How much rejection can one person take?

Don't work too hard..........It might kill you

A study released on April 5, 2011 says that if you work more than 11 hours a day it could kill you.
Basically those who work more than 11 hours a day have a higher risk for heart disease and are more prone to heart attacks. I've attached a link to the article.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/05/work-long-hours-heart-disease_n_844885.html

I've always thought that we (most Americans) work too hard and don't take care of themselves. I see these people everyday at work. (I also work with these people -nurses and doctor tend to work way 10-12 hours a day). People who depend on medications way too much and who have never taken care of themselves. I've always lived my life putting my health first and taking care of my body both through exercise and nutrition. I don't think it takes a research article and years of studying a group of people to realize that working yourself to hard is literally working yourself to death but I am glad to see the research.
I've always wondered why doctors and nurses (people who know what inactivity) tend to be so unhealthy and I've realized that it's b/c of the long working hours and the physical difficulty of the job)
Just goes to show I'm right in living my life the way I've chosen to live. We have to realize that we need to take care of ourselves in order to not be a burden on the healthcare system ortherwise.............who knows where healthcare will be by the time we're (I'm) old.

A letter to my thighs and glutes

Dear thighs and glutes.
I know that yesterday I did something horrible to you. I went to a bootcamp class where they made you do lunges and squats repeatedly. And now you must pay for it. You are so sore and stiff I can barely move you guys. It hurts to walk and to sit down. It's 0830 and I still haven't taken the dogs for a walk because I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to walk them. I'm so sorry.
The worst part is........I have a tempo run tonight from Final Kick and I feel that this is really going to hurt. And then, I hate to break the news to you but we have another class tomorrow morning. I have no idea how we will get through this but we will try.
In one of those life is unfair bits Andy walked out of here this morning without even a wince. I wonder if he is hurting as much as we are.
Once again, I am sorry but we will get through this. We are strong! We have the legs of a champion. Thank you for all that you do.

Love, Renee

Even if it kills you.........

For me, it's very important to support those who are important to you in life. So this morning I got up really early 0450 and went to a bootcamp class with Andy. I know how important it is to me to have someone to run with so I can understand needing someone to go to an exercise class with him. Especially if you don't know anyone and it's your first class.
So.........this morning I did more lunges, squats, burpees, and mountain climbers than I've ever done before. My glutes are gonna hurt like hell tomorrow morning. They are already kinda stiff. Then I went for my own workout this morning after that. A nice run with Dai and Mike........then they tried to kick my butt.
So now I'm exhausted and I think I need a nap. OMG
But hey, what doesn't kill me will only make me stronger.