After struggling for quite a while, I finally broke down and went to the doctor about my knee. I had been correct with my self-diagnosis: petelar tendinitis. What I had been wrong about is how it would heal with rest and easy running. The months of rest have not left me healed. Now, I have to go through PT and build back the endurance I have lost.
I've spent too much time thinking about what I'll do next. My biggest problem is that I don't know when "next" will be. I really want to be at Bandera in January, but that doesn't seem very realistic right now. For a while, I think just getting into a routine of running and cycling should be enough. If Bandera is possible, I'll go. In fact, I'll probably be there even if I don't run. Joe can always use some help.
Today was an easy bike ride. I'm supposed to work the tendon without irritating it. That is really hard to do. I've also been doing the exercises and weight lifting I am supposed to do. I'd love to say it is feeling better already, but honestly it actually hurts a little more than it did before.
Activities are logged at http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/TripSearch.aspx#freerangeathlete if anyone is interested. Hopefully, there will be more interesting runs posted in the near future.
2 comments:
Hey! I just stumbled upon this blog out of nowhere; I too am an ultrarunner, based in Calgary, Canada, and just came back from a severe case of patellar tendonitis, as it seems you have. July 07 I injured it during a 100k in Edmonton, and between July and January I barely ran a step, trying to rest and heal it as you did.
I am now back up to full mileage, and I've only been running consistently since May of this year.
Here are some things that helped me:
-ICE!! Every time you get home, after every workout. Re-usable gel packs are great. I did 5 minutes on, 5 minutes off, twice each time.
-Stay off your feet! I irritated my knee as much by walking as by running. PT is more about tracking than it is about impact, so even walking can screw you up.
-Weight Train! I did more leg extensions and leg presses than I could ever count. You can literally feel your knee coming back together when you do leg extentions if you have PT.
-When you start running again, put the treadmill on an incline. Your knee won't have to track as much, and although you don't want to create any strength imbalances, this will let you get some early fitness back before you're ready for the trails.
-A.R.T. Active Release Therapy is a type of massage therapy. I can't say enough good things about this, and it's now part of my maintenance plan.
Good luck- I know how annoying this injury can be, but it's 100% something you can come back stronger from.
-Colin Matthews
Tom, great BLOG. I am sorry about your knee. My wife is having similar issues. I am starting to train for ultras and would love any insight on Bandera. I'm just doing the 25K for training for the Rocky Hill Ranch 50K then hopefully a 50 miler by years end. We just moved to Round Rock and I am hoping to get in touch with some local people who can show me the trails, train with etc. I'm heading up to Lake G-town to try and find my way around the 26 mile loop. Email me at peck262@gmail.com if you can!
Chris Peck
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