Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Is This How It's Gonna Be?

Yesterday I had a great cardio workout on the elliptical. I wore a ACE bandage on my knee, and it seemed to be ok. Later that afternoon, I did have a little bit of pain and stiffness when walking around. I chalked it up to the normal aches and pains associated with exercise.

This morning, I wanted to hit the treadmill. I figured I'd do one of the Couch to 5K type work outs, with intervals of jogging for 2 minutes and walking for 1 minute. I always start with a 5 minute warm up walk. I tried to jog the first interval, and it was a no-go 10 seconds into it. With every step I felt a sharp pain in my left knee. I had to slow the treadmill back down to walking pace, and actually was hopping on my right foot at one point because it wasn't slowing down fast enough and the knee was hurting.

I have no idea what I did to it, but it happened the night we went bowling in NY. Luckily, OrthoCarolina had an opening today at 11:20. This is the same doctor who saw me for my Achilles tendonitis, and his P.A. saw me for my plantar fasciitis. They should be very well versed on my chart of aches and pains.

It seems like the more I try to exercise and do right, the more injuries crop up. I see people who run miles and miles and miles with no issues. Why can't I be one of those people? Is this just part of gaining another year of life? I'm going to be 36 next month. I'm not trying to be crippled by 40. This is getting ridiculous!

I guess I'm bummed because all through my 20s, exercise came easily. Even times when I wouldjust abandon it, I could pick right back up like nothing happened. I've been trying to run consistently, but have been sidelined since June. What's funny is that last year, I didn't know what the hell I was doing, and managed to successfully run a half marathon. Now that I'm actually trying to be cognizant of my training and what I do, injuries are jumping up like the 1-2 punch.

Sigh. I can't win with my joints right now. We'll see what Dr. McBride has to say. :(

2 comments:

giraffy said...

First, it stands to reason that the MORE you exercise, the more likely you are to be or get injured. You ain't gonna be injured if you're sitting on your azz. Take it as a badge of being awesome and DOING IT.

Second, I've read that at any given time some 60% of endurance runners are injured. Sometimes, runners are runners first, logical thinkers second. Don't assume they're just running about joyously... I bet at least a few are running despite something.

Finally, I don't know anything about bowling, but make sure when you're working running back in, thag your form, gait, and shoes are right for you... That made all the difference in the world for me.

Marilie said...

I know I seriously pronate, and I have flat feet - so I replace my sneakers are regular intervals, and I try to concentrate on form when I'm running. I don't know what the deal is.

I hurt my right knee in high school, so when it gives me pain, I know it's part of that. I don't know what the deal is on this left one. Ridiculous.

That's true - you won't get hurt sitting on your butt! LOL :)