Monday, 2/27

Finally made it to my first LMM meeting last Sat after missing the first 3. The speaker was helpful and prompted me to modify my workout, once again, to include some of his suggestions. Several of the things he said made a lot of sense, especially how our muscles atrophy after 25. I've been on a personalized weight training program for about 3 months doing many of the things he said. It really helps.

Also met with Physical Therapists last Friday. They evaluated all sorts of things such as how I stand, sit, walk, run, bend, stretch, etc... They video taped me as I ran on a treadmill. My knee problem occured not so much from overuse, but because my left leg is out of line with my body when I run. It points northwest instead of north, if that makes any sense, thus putting pressure on the outside of my left knee. Had I been running correctly, this would not have occurred. They will put me on a program to: 1) strengthen my leg muscles (see atrophy above), 2) increase flexibility through stretching, 3) make tailor made orthodics to insert in my shoes so I can run correctly, and 4) teach me how to run correctly.

Anyway, the good news is that they think my problem is correctable, that I should be able to return to running soon, and that I should still be able to run Chicago this year! Yea!!! Other good news is that while I am rehabbing my knee, I can still stretch, swim, cycle, do the eliptical, and lift weights. In other words, if it doesn't hurt, I can do it. If it hurts, don't do it. If you need a good PT, let me know and I'll put you in contact with them.

So instead of running with you Sat, I went swimming. My swimming is terrible!!! I swim like a wounded water buffalo! I could barely make it down and back, which is only 2 laps or 50 yards. It took me about 1 minute to swim 2 laps. Then I had to stop, rest, and recover before going again. Imagine how long it would take me to run a marathon if I had to stop every minute to rest and recover! My hope is that this will greathly improve my cardio capacity so that when I return to running, I won't be so far behind. I plan to run a triathlon this June/July and I need to be able to swim about 36 laps without stopping (1/2m), cycle (28m), and run (7m). So you can see that I have a long way to go. I'll be ready for the bike and run, but the swim requires much more work.

I'm working on what my new training schedule will be, but I plan to swim 3x and lift weights 2x weekly. I also hope to work in some spinning and/or eliptical as time and legs allow. I don't know when I'll be able to return to running, but hopefully within a few weeks. After taking off the last two weeks, it's time to go back to work!!! Not running is driving me crazy!

Incidentally, my family seems to be taking to fitness now. I started in Oct and my wife started soon thereafter. She is making progress and feels more fit, stronger, and sleeps better. Now my son (16) is working out with a trainer at The Club too. So hopefully this will become a family way of life thing.