The Ultra-Adventures of a Painfully Normal Girl

It has been almost two weeks since the cortisone injection, so today I decided to start the couch to 5k program again in order to not rush back into running. Admittedly, it is a bit demoralizing knowing that I ran an ultra, but it is humbling to remember how hard it is to start running, how hard it is to run a 5k or a 10k or a half marathon, and how big of an accomplishment all of these are.

I grabbed my neighbor because we agreed it is easier to get out the door if there is someone else keeping us accountable. It felt good to be out there again. Before I knew it, we were back at our doors. I forgot how easy running can be when you are not running up and down mountains (thank you SoCal friends!) and only running short bursts.

I felt no "bad" pain, but I didn't expect that I would with this short distance. The sheer joy of today's activity came when I used my foam roller to roll out my IT bands. Normally, rolling my left IT band results in my eyes tearing up from the screaming of my tender tendon. Today the sensation I felt was at first disconcerting and wrong, but then my brain processed this sensation actually was...absolute lack of pain. I couldn't have been happier.

Now I realize that it is to early to determine whether or not I am fully healed, but it is another great step in the right direction! 

2.07 miles at 14:29/mile

Nike Free

Today, I received a cortisone injection in the IT band of my bad knee. IT (pun intended) hurts just about every time I run these days. If there is a decent downhill, forget it! The cyst causes little comparative discomfort with no evidence of an actual tear in my meniscus...good news. It will be left untreated to resolve itself.

The doctor said he only injects IT bands after all other non-invasive treatments have been attempted and failed (check!). After signing the consent form, yes I know it can result in an infection, there could be unlikely fat atrophy at the site, blah, blah, blah,  the doctor jabbed his thumb into my knee some more while bending it to find the exact location. There was a small pinch followed by a cold spray to numb the skin before the uber steroid was pumped into my offending tissue. I never really felt the needle, but the mashing (massaging) of the area post-stabbing was not an entirely comfortable sensation. Soon, I headed home with instructions to rest it for a few days, which I will stretch to at least a week, and then begin running slowly.

My knee felt good for the next hour or two, but then it grew quite sore with shooting pains if I twisted wrong. I was informed that it might be sore tonight, so I am not concerned. I am optimistic that it will work...

So I decided to hell with it, I'm going to try running again. This morning, I woke up early despite my alarm not going off. I pulled myself out of bed, thanks in part to my very full bladder, and off I went. Despite the time of day, it was still a bit warm out, although in general, it is cooling down slightly.

My legs felt as though they had never run prior to today, and I gave up after a mile with a side cramp doubling me over and nausea. Valiant attempt, but alas, fail. At least my knee didn't cause the premature walking.

Maybe it was my breakfast and/or the heat. Or maybe my body was warning me to start slow. In any case, I will try again. And hopefully, next week's ortho appointment will bring good news...

Why did I forget my calf sleeves yesterday?! Now I have those little itchy bumps on my legs.

Kind of... I am back in the sense that I finally ran a trail and that I am posting again. I am not back in the sense of being 100% healthy.

Today was my first trail run in a while and my first one on Okinawa. It was a 4+ mile loop early in the morning to beat the heat...hmmmm, or while it was less hot anyway. I was concerned mostly about the humidity, but aside from sweating profusely and drinking more water than I usually do (not that I drink that much to begin with...), it was not a factor.

My limiting factor once again was my damn knee. It was fine until I bombed a few downhills sections. Sigh. I am definitely making an appointment on Monday and won't give up until I find something that works. Acupuncture is on the horizon as an option as well. Ok, enough of the negative.

It felt great to be back on the trails even if I did have to walk part of the course. While the trail was quite overgrown with vegetation, it was not the angry, skin-tearing kind found in Southern California, and it was GREEN! It was also a bit slipperier, which is always good for a laugh when your feet slide out from under you landing you promptly on your backside.

The run was followed by some delicious pancakes. All in all, I say it was a successful morning!