Tri-Polar Express

My friend Juls does have good advice, and I appreciate it. I am the first one to tell others that they need to listen to their bodies when they are hurt. So why am I having such a hard time listening to someone tell me the same thing? I'm type A, I'm wed somehow to this dream/idea of running CIM - I've visualized it being my best marathon ever, and qualifying for Boston there ... I've got a lot invested in this vision of my future.

But it is just one vision, and by no means the only possible future for me. So, for now, my plans are on hold. I will see what Doctor O. says on Friday during my appointment and in the meantime, treat my knee gently and with love. I will not demand unrealistic things of my body ... I will listen to it and respect it's wishes. Hhhhmmmm ... well most of the time at least. I am going to try and run tonight (as the swelling and pain have abated since yesterday) but don't worry Juls, I won't push it. Promise. If it hurts I'll stop and switch to weights and core strength building exercises. Lots of options - many possible futures :-)

Posted by Cindy at 05:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It's been confirmed - I have Plica syndrome - and it ain't pretty. When it flares up it feels like IT band syndrome (for all you runners out there) but on the inside of my knee. Anyway, stopping and stretching my hamstrings seems to ease it enough for me to continue running through it, like I did yesterday, while putting in a very slow 18 mile training run on flat terrain. The thing is, I'm not so sure it was the smartest thing to do. But what's done is done as they say.

I will be asking the good ole' doc again this week whether another steroid injection is warranted, or we just go straight to the knife. The ultimate cure is surgery ... but we all know that is not an option to be taken lightly. I have timing to consider as well ... my peak training for my marathon in December is NOW ... so if I can train through it I might just do that and postpone surgery until afterwards.

Unless my doctor thinks the constant inflammation may be making the whole situation worse, by creating scar tissue. In which case, Plan B is to undergo orthoscopic surgery as quickly as possible, recover as quickly as possible, and get back out there. Me, type A? Naw ... well, maybe a little. Okay, a lot.

And, just in case I need it, I have devised a Plan C, which is to do CIM as a training run in December and then sign up for the Napa Valley Marathon in the Spring - another one of my favorite courses. I have to admit it would be nice to run my next (and maybe my last) marathon with less pain. It's funny how we get used to "bad" situations ... and just keep plodding along as though everything were fine, just fine thank you.

As I am writing this, I'm thinking to myself ... Forget about the knee - I should have my head examined. I'm 46. My body is trying to tell me it isn't happy about what I'm doing. Maybe I should listen. In the short term (i.e. tomorrow) I think I will forego my routinely scheduled a.m. run at the park. I'll wait another day to see how the knee responds to my home remedies of ice and ibuprofen, while I try to get in to see the doc.

Posted by Cindy at 07:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Well the verdict is in ... there's good news, and there's bad news. The bad news is Doctor says I have Plica Syndrome AND a torn meniscus. The good news is the meniscus tears are minute and probably do not warrant treatment (at this time). The Plica might respond well to a steroid injection. So that's what we're going to try this coming Friday. In the meantime I've still been running according to my Less is More training plan, and am coping. Ice is my new friend.

Continue reading "Woe, woe is knee" »

Posted by Cindy at 10:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This could be ugly ... but then again it could be very managable. Tonight I am scheduled for an MRI of my right knee to determine if I have a Plica syndrome or a torn meniscus. I didn't even know what a Plica was ... still not sure I do, even after the doctor explained it to me. But anyway, it sounds a whole lot less serious than a torn meniscus, so I'll take it!

Either way it likely will involve surgery ... at least that's the impression I have. The question then remains, how invasive, and how long is the recovery.

How did this happen you might ask ...

Continue reading "I "kneed" your good luck vibes" »

Posted by Cindy at 04:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So now it begins ... my official taper for IMCDA on June 24th, 2007. Although in actuality I was tapering for most of the past week as well. During my last century (112 miles; 9000 ft of climbing) I ended up with saddle sores (my shorts were too big and they chaffed me BAD during the last third of the ride) and a bruised leg after crashing into a bike rider who stopped suddenly while riding through an intersection. He decided to stop to pick up something the rider in front of him had dropped - NOT COOL! The guy behind me crashed into the two of us and we all three went down. Got to practice changing a flat tire ... again. Got to ice my knee at the lunch stop, and take a handful of Advil (not really) so that I could go on. Got to learn what climbing with a swollen knee feels like. Yup - it's all good, ain't it.

The Sequoia Century (June 3rd) was a great ride and a great confidence booster. Despite the saddle sores and the minor crash - I'd do it again.

Continue reading "Saddle Sores and Bike Crashes - the things memories are made of" »

Posted by Cindy at 03:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Well, the weather is still nice, though we are supposed to be in for a cold spell later this week. I am "making hay while the sun shines" as the saying goes ... and have successfully gotten myself up early enough to train before work every day so far this week. Feels good after a solid week of zero training due to a nasty case of Poison Oak.

This has been no small feat considering the late hours I've been keeping - we are remodeling the kitchen (joy joy) and there are a ton of decision to be made. I don't make decisions quickly or lightly so it has been a long and painful process ... made even longer, and more painful by me. C'est la vie. It's almost done.

My Poison Oak is almost 100% resolved, thanks to Prednisone, which I was willing to take short term in order to expedite my recovery. So tonight I am looking forward to spin class. Yippee - I'm back in the saddle two weeks ahead of when I thought I would be!!

Posted by Cindy at 05:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last week, on New Year's Eve day, I was waylaid by Poison Oak ... So, instead of starting off my 2007 base training period with a bang, it fizzled. I was all geared up and ready to GO! But my stupid side had another idea ... let's go romp in the woods and tempt fate ... it's not like this hasn't happened to me before (I'm sad to say).

Anyway, I visited the doc on day 3 of my exposure and he put me on some super strong steroids (oral and topical) - no messing around. With past exposures it's always taken weeks, even months to get over the rash and itchiness. But I am happy to report that with the aggressive treatment regimen my doctor ordered we are almost back in business after just 8 days! The swelling is 100% resolved, and it barely itches any more. The only holdover is the discoloration of my skin.

Today, despite my self-consciousness, I made the decision to don a bathing suit and attended my usual swim workout. It starts out in the dark, so getting into the pool wasn't such a problem, but afterwards in the change room I have to say I was a bit nervous about explaining my streaky red rash to my friends. Turns out nobody paid me any mind ... they were all self engorssed, getting themselves ready for their day, that no one cared less about my rash.

I'm glad I didn't let my self-consciousness get in the way of training today. I love swimming and I really missed not doing it for the past three weeks. Now, I think I'm even ready to give running, and God Forbid, spinning a try later in the week.

Posted by Cindy at 04:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Well, my husband couldn't wait to see what I would blog about this ... my latest training misadventure. And my base training was going so well ... I was looking forward to starting some build weeks for IMCDA with my training group - they published the training calendar this week. Drats! All that is off for the time being ...I won't be riding, or running for awhile.

My New Year didn't start so great. I have a nasty outbreak of Poison Oak, resulting from an ill positioned squat in the woods during an otherwise wonderful run on New Years eve day. This is day four and the eruptions should stop after today, but may not. It is horrible ... I know from past experiences that exercise (heating up my body) aggrevates the rash and can lead to new eruptions, so I am laying low for two to three weeks and am on steroids, oral and topical - thanks to a doctor who agreed to treat me aggressively. I am too embarrassed to swim because the rash is on my torso, thighs, lower back, butt and legs. I am not sure if chlorine is an irritant to this rash or not, but it seems like it might be. Plus I would terrify everyone else in the pool, and I have a social conscience.

Continue reading "Itchy Butt" »

Posted by Cindy at 04:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)