Tuesday, August 3, 2010

PT - Next step!

"The elevator to success is out of order. You'll have to use the stairs... one step at a time."
Joe Girard

Love that quotation! Some of you may have noticed that I deleted my last post. When I reread it the next day I thought, "Who wrote this...and why?" It sounded like a neurotic attempt to maintain control over my marathon training. You see, I've spent many years of my life trying to remain "in control" and it is only when I got sick with asthma that I finally accepted that there are some things I can't control. I deal with adversity in the best way I can, but I can't control everything! I've learned to let go of those things I can't control, while taking charge of those things I can. Which brings me back to my last post (the one I deleted). Reading it reminded me of the "old" me, the one who tried so hard to maintain an illusion of control when faced with uncontrollable circumstances. I'm glad I wrote it, as rereading it gave me the kick in the butt I needed. So...here's the deal...I have an injury and it needs time to heal...TIME! Of course, there are things I can do, but I can not make time go faster...no, I can not control the passing of time. :)

My PT appointment was this afternoon and there's some interesting stuff to share about that. However, first I'd like to tell you about my morning run. This morning, I ran at the gym on the treadmill. I had my new shoes on. It was such a nice run, I was comfortable and I was totally enjoying myself...and when Celine Dion came on my ipod with "I Surrender" I did just that...and almost burst into song (almost :)). That's when I had this soothing thought, "I love running...even if it's only for 5K...if for some reason I can't run my marathon...I can still run and I can still love running!"

Then I had my PT appointment. I told him I thought I may have overdone it again last Sunday...he smiled knowingly "Let's check your knee then". He did his thing and it seems that of the three minor injuries, two are pretty much healed and only one is left (goosefoot tendon). He was very pleased with my new running shoes..."Perfect", he said. He then had me run on the treadmill with my new shoes. He liked. Then, again barefoot to compare. Once again, he liked, "I'm always impressed with how softly you run barefoot!" I'm pretty surprised everytime myself. However, although the new shoes are perfect for me and he's pleased with my running form in general, there is one thing that is not improving and that happens even when I'm barefoot sometimes.

See for yourself:









   

    On the left, bending my knees naturally, my right knee goes inward (photo taken in mirror, so knee on right side). On the right, me consciously placing my right knee straight. If you follow the line inside my leg, you can see how much straighter it is on the right.

Joseph explained to me that I need to make sure my knee is always straight if I want to avoid further injury, so I now have exercises to do (three times a day). First, is the regular knee bend, while looking in the mirror to be sure I am straight. Second, I need to balance on a block while raising my left leg, going through the running motion and making sure my right knee is straight (I can look in a mirror).




Back and forth 20 times!

Third, I am to do the same as above, but when my foot is in front, I don't touch down, but I jump off the block onto my right foot (landing first on the forefoot, then heel) and bending the knee, making sure it remains straight (20 times). Sometimes I fall off, but I'm getting better. Finally, the last thing is to go on a mini trampoline and do knee bends, initially I can stay in the bend for up to a minute. I must have my eyes closed and need to "feel" that my knee is straight. Once I've been in my knee bend for a few seconds, I am allowed to take a peek to make sure I am straight, but the point is to get me to feel it without looking.

According to Joseph, once I've corrected that and with my new cadence, running technique and shoes...I'll be able to run as many marathons as I want! I like Joseph a lot :) :)

So I'm just going to follow my schedule, not overdo it and not try to make time speed up. In a couple of weeks I should be pretty much on track and if that's the case...once again, who knows what my limit will be...perhaps the sky!

Cheers!

23 comments:

Jill said...

I like to be in control, too. Which is hard when you're injuried. One reason I totally hate to fly...I have no control if we go down. Ha. I'm so glad the PT experience is working for you, love how you demonstrated the exercise :). You're going to get that knee stronger and stronger :).

Emz said...

I bet Joseph is your new BEST FRIEND!! :)

Thanks you for the photos and demo - I will be doing this!!!!

Hi! I'm Erin said...

Your PT sounds amazing. You are very lucky to have found one that understands how to help you so well.

MomRunningFromCancer said...

You are wise beyond your years!!!! From someone who knows that we REALLY can't control everything.

I love your statement . . . "I love running...even if it's only for 5K...if for some reason I can't run my marathon...I can still run and I can still love running!"

That pretty much says it all. Happy running - whether that is 5k or a marathon . . . or something in between. It is the running that we love - not the distance. ;-)

mommaof3ontherun said...

I have always liked to be in control, but am surrendering and accepting that life just can't work that way. Great job and we really do have to appreciate what running brings, even a 5k! Great post!

ajh said...

You are so lucky to have a PT who is so in tune with you and running.

Jennifer said...

When I had an injury I had a triathlete/marathon runner as my PT Dr. It was great as she always knew what I was going through and what I was looking for. I am always amazed at the little tricks and exercises they have you do and how well they work. Cheers! You are on the road to recovery!

Love2Mags said...

I'm so happy to hear that PT is going well and you're on the mend! It sounds like Joseph has you doing some great exercises!!! You'll be running marathon after marathon in no time :)

Iron Mike said...

You're awesome.
Keep your head up, and listen to that body!

You've knocked out a few injuries pretty quickly, I'm sure the rest will fall into place in short order.

But honestly, injuries might be worth it, if they result in time on a mini trampoline. How cool!

Teamarcia said...

I am liking Joseph too! Glad he's got a strengthening plan for you!
As for the quote, I swear lately I feel like even the steps are out of order and I've had to drag myself up. Blah!

Beth said...

You and your PT make a great team! I'm glad everything is going well and that you are seeing results.

Laura said...

I'm the same, I get really frustrated when things out of my control get in the way, like my grumpy interval post. I've thought about deleting stuff off my blog too cause I think god Laura, you sound so grouchy sometimes when things don't go to plan!

Sounds like things are on the up for you though so keep your head up :-)

Johann said...

Things are certainly looking up. Knowing you I'm sure you'll do everything as instructed and come out strong and ready for many marathons after this. You are so right, we have to accept certain things and move on.

pierre said...

Hé it's your brother. Just to let you know you got me going again. Got up this morning for my run ?????zzzz.....got back to bed and then got up again walk over to the computer saw your icone clicked on it. It got me going again, thanks. Pierre xxx

Marlene said...

Glad you're feeling better about things and taking this a day at a time. Sounds like good news from PT!! I hope these new exercises help with your knee alignment.

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Sounds like PT is going well!

I love the new shoes too.

Tara said...

Man, I love that quote, thanks for posting it.

I just throught doing a post about needing to stop worrying about things that I had no control over; it's good to know others struggle with this as well!

I've been out of the blog world for awhile and had no idea of your injury, but it sounds like you have a positive attitude and that things are going to be "A-OK" for you in the long run! Hang in there!

Melinda said...

Love the quote! How true it is.

Yes, take it easy. You'll be back 100% in no time. (But I'm not a very patient person either, especially not when it comes to running injuries!).

Sherri said...

I have never been in control...some day I hope to write a post that has ME taking control of my running!
I always enjoy every post you make!
Thanks for those demos!

Laura said...

You are doing such a great job at being smart with your training/'rehab'...

Meg said...

Joseph rocks! I'm glad you're seeing a PT that is not just helping you with injuries but also helping you with strengthening! That's going to keep you moving forward.
Your post today had me thinking about control, can we really control anything at all??? Maybe just ourselves. Big hugs, thanks for your thoughts.

Dave Warfel said...

I know how frustrating injuries can be. I'm working through a hamstring injury now.

But I love your approach. "...even if I can't run the marathon, I can still run."

It's interesting to me how getting injured actually increased my passion for running. You realize just how much you love something when you are forced to take a step back.

Irene said...

I'm so glad PT is going well. I do similar exercises. :)