This Week in Running 7/30 - 8/5

Me, post physical therapy

This Week in Running

Well another week of wishing I could run.  My knee pain, while not good last week ratcheted up a bit.  It wasn't because I was running either.  It just seemed to hurt more than usual.

I did finally go to the doctors on Tuesday and after a physical examination, an ultrasound, and x-rays, I was diagnose with a pissed off knee.  Otherwise known as a patellar tendon with a ton of scar tissue on it.

It was interesting to see the ultrasound.  The doctor (who was brilliant) showed me the photos of healthy sections of my tendon versus the worn down one.  If you google "Patellar tendon ultrasound" on Google Image search you'll see samples.  Basically, you'll see lines that look like healthy tendon and then see a fuzzy / cloudy section.  Well, I had a big old chunk of it.

So the anti-inflamatory routine that I was doing was pretty much worthless.  There wasn't much inflammation.  I just need to strengthen the areas around the knee joint (I was very weak in some sections) and seek physical therapy, which is what I did.

I haven't been to PT in a while -- the last time I think was at least 7 years ago when I had achilles tendonitis.

I arrived early on Thursday, got another examination, and was given some exercises to do.  I quickly made friends with a thera-band and did various exercises under the constant eye of my therapist (another winner).

Then he did about 5 minutes of Graston Technique to break up the scar tissue.  It wasn't terribly painful, just a bit odd.

Finally, we wrapped up with a bag of ice and an electric stim.  I was hoping for a bit of ultrasound on it, but no dice.  I was in there for a long time before being taped up with some KT-tape.

So I've been diligently doing my PT exercises and refraining from running.

I have been given the green light to do a little bit of mileage, but right now the pain is off and on.  I have been walking and usually my walk starts off with a little bit of a hobble.  Finally the knee relaxes and I hardly know it is injured.  However, particularly after sitting for periods of time, my knee really, really hurts.  The tendon fires up like it is ripping and I almost fall to the ground.  Luckily that hasn't happened yet.  So I am still hobbling around and that means I am definitely not ready to run.

Some days are better than others and on Thursday I was wondering if I had turned the corner.  Friday it seemed worse.

I don't have a time table for this injury to heal.  I don't want too much time to go by otherwise I'll lose a lot of my hard earned fitness / endurance.  And -- I have to actually watch what I eat.  Now that I can't burn through 800 calories after work so easily, I have to be more mindful.

My exercise right now is about 3 - 7 miles a day of walking.  If this injury does continue, I'll likely pony up for a gym membership so I can peddle on a bike or grind out some weights.

Being injured sucks and to be honest this one has me worried.  I have a bunch of races I'd love to be ready for this fall and not being able to at least maintain my fitness is frustrating and worrisome.

I have another PT appointment this week and I am hoping for the best.  In the meantime, though, I'll diligently do my workouts.

Upcoming Races

08/19: Dam Train Race - 12 KM Race - Midway, UT (Confirmed)
11/12: Las Vegas Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)
04/21: Salt Lake City Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed (2018))