11-2-07 1st Re-run

Well, this was a less than auspicious workout day. To tell the truth, I'm still a little put out over the whole ordeal - my wife has had to put up with me in a semi-foul mood most of the night.

I was released from my self imposed restriction today (see Clif notes below)

• 6 mile run one night
• stepped off paved trail
• twisted my right knee
• ran on twisted knee for nearly 2 miles back to car
• regretted everything up to this point
• tried to run on my hurt knee a few days later - couldn't complete 2 miles
• grounded myself until 11-1 to give my knee time to recover
• augmented my training routine with swimming, no-impact cardio machines, and weight lifting (want to continue to improve without banging my knee around)
• waited (semi-)patiently for 11-1

I went out today with 4 miles on my mind. I warmed up with a 5 minute walk. The weather was GREAT: cool, little breeze, little sunshine, early enough not to be running after dark - the perfect running storm (to steal a phrase).

The 1st mile went pretty quickly. I wasn't running hard, but I did set a comfortable pace. As soon as I took my 1st stride, I felt my knee, but it was a very very small blunt sensation. I pressed onward, and the pain gradually increased. At 1.25 miles, I stopped for a moment because the pain sharply increased and MADE me stop. I stretched all the muscles around the knee, and the pain stopped. I trotted on, and the pain lessened greatly - never going away completely, but becoming tolerable. Just before the 2 mile turnaround, it hit again - I pushed on to the 2 mile mark, and stopped to stretch again. I continued with the same less (and tolerable) pain. It hurt much less as I went up hills, but on the return trip I encountered the big downhill. If uphills feel good, guess how downhills feel? By the time I got to the bottom, it hurt pretty bad, but as the ground leveled, so did the pain. I pushed on (barely more than a mile to go) - I was getting upset over the whole ordeal. I pushed on until .75 miles from the end, then I started to get a cramp in my hamstring, that was OBVIOUSLY related to my knee pulling funny, and my dis-jointed stride. I tried the stretch trick again, but it quit working.

I walked back to the car - hating every step that I had to walk. I'll make an appointment with my doctor on Monday. Time for some active repair and medical advice - I don't want to be a runner who can't run.

I bought a knee brace at Wal-Mart tonight to keep some pressure on my knee. I'll continue to R.I.C.E until the doc can see me.

11-1-07

Thursday was supposed to have been my 1st day allowed to run after a hiatus of a few weeks to heal a sore knee. I decided not to do weight instead (to attempt to take advantage of some scheduling). I did weights and a lot of abs. Did 3 circuits, and some new ab excercises I learned from Runner's World - still trying to find a good routine to get back some definition in my midsection, and trying to keep it interesting so I don't get into a rut. Still doing incremented push ups.

I did do a 'short' run for a warmup. I ran a mile on the dreadmilll, but I was in my cross trainers, so it wasn't exactly a flowing run. It did work up a good sweat before the weights, and got my heart rate up pretty well - I did it a 6 mph pace on a 4% incline. While it felt good to run again, I did still have a little discomfort in my right knee.

I'll continue to monitor my knee.

10-28-07 Sunday sweat

I didn't get to work out Saturday, so I made it up on Sunday. I'd done 2 days of weights and decided to try a new routine (I really don't enjoy the elliptical that much - too stationary). I'd ready an article on doing 'something' besides just an exercise routine - - basically 'playing' your workout. I decided to try my hand on the racket ball court instead of hamster-ing on the elliptical. It was fun, but I had to focus to keep myself moving. It's a little trickier to keep yourself moving when it's just you out there and no one to compete against (still don't think I want to do that). I may do that occasionally just to change up a little, but I don't' think it will be a part of the routine. I played for about 45 minutes, and worked up a good sweat. Monday morning, my butt was kind of sore (new muscle groups being worked).

After I played, I went to the weight room to do some ab work. I did 4 sets of 20 hanging crunches, and 3 sets of a new weighted ab exercise I learned (oh, and push ups).

I'm adding push ups like my old wresting coach had us do them: one more per day - - this ought to be fun.

10-26-07 swim swim

I got away from work later than I wanted to, but luckily the pool doesn't close until 6 or 6:30. I got to the water pretty quick, and swam 15 laps - resting briefly between each. I've still got a lot of work to do on my form, and I think my poor swimming form is making me work harder than I should have to work - could be a good thing = better workout?

Swimming always makes me so tired and hungry - need to watch out for that...it would be easy to eat loosely under those conditions.