Running Again

Does my knee still hurt? Yes
Is my knee still swollen? Yes
Is my knee stiff and tight? Yes

The swelling and pain is certainly down from May, June, July, so I am running anyway.

PICTURES: Encountered on our 5K today

Continuing Saga of the Smashed Knee

Yesterday: an appointment with one of Minnesota's best orthopaedic sports doctors in Bloomington ... and a referral for several appointments with my physical therapist.
The new, and third, professional diagnosis: patello femoral syndrome (like runner's knee.. but resulting from an injury.)

How did I happen to go all the way to Bloomington? Well, I've had it with this knee injury, and last Sunday at a race, I asked friends for recommendations.

At the recommendation of the sports doctor, my therapist set me up with knee and leg strengthening exercises.

I've started working on them.
The swelling in my knee seemed to be down some the last couple of days, but the exercises have stirred up some swelling again.
But I will persevere! Watch me!

Also, I'll run and look a lot more like a real runner when I lose 20 pounds.
Weight Watchers tomorrow night!

Our young pre-school guest delighted in the variety of chickens at the Washington County Fair.

Walking . . . . .

Plenty of time to take pictures of the flowers while walking in the neighborhood.

Our past week has been energized with trips to the model train museum in Bandana Square, playgrounds at Teddy Bear Park and Pioneer Park in Stillwater, a pontoon boat ride and even riding the Ferris wheel at the Washington County Fair. Oh the delight of entertaining a child!

But back to the pesky knee: no healing progress? For all my consulting, I haven't been to a real sports doctor, and will do that as soon as I can get in after the weekend. My most urgent question is will I do further damage by running?

Summer Days

Tiny toad lives in the spout of the plastic water can that we use to water the pots of herbs on our deck.

An out-of-town high school reunion and a visit from out-of-town family have filled our hours and days.

And my smashed knee has had substantial "rest" ... at least from running.
The inflammation, swelling and pain persists. The joint is quite stiff.

In a few days I will probably resume walking ... perhaps a little cautious running. We will see what another week brings.

Lumberjack Days 5K

The start of the race, at the boomsite on the St. Croix River, 5K north of downtown Stillwater. Picture by Sweet Pea.

I walked.. and even ran a little. My knee hurt in 3 major different places, so I changed pace and mode often. This race is usually miserably hot, but today there was a pleasant breeze and running felt energizing.

Othopaedic Sports always has a tent at the end with give-away treats.
One of their therapists has been a major help and encouragement to me in my recovery journey.
Hours after the race, I don't think I suffered additional injury from the race.

The hail/rain storm yesterday morning left drifts of ice on the deck.

Walking

Wheelbarrow full of pansies.. seen on our recent walk.

"Walking, people, we're walking" (to quote a tour guide). Some knee pain with walking, but too much pain with running... so I'm walking.

Also, a couple of times a week, half an hour of low resistance stationary biking at the community center.
And stretching and icing and getting good sleep and taking several repair supplements and eating only beneficial food and not giving up hope of running again.

You can see Don's latest Mayo results (yesterday) on MyelomaHope.

Family Means Garden Tour

Eight gardens in an afternoon, in Stillwater and north along the river to the town of Marine on St. Croix.
In June and July, with my knee injury, I wouldn't have made it in and out of the car that many times. The 3 of us have enjoyed this event for many years.

Sweet Pea snaps the garden ornaments... especially the cats. We missed seeing any live kitties this year.

Here I am, camera in hand . . . .

And for sure it might be aimed at cosmos or daisies.

Many gardeners have a vegetable section, but sometimes, like this, rainbow chard among the flowers!

Lovely home in the rural woods of Washington County... but this is not a gate in a fence to keep intruders out of an estate, but the gate in a seven-foot deer fence to keep out the four-legged "salad eaters".

Seemed like there were fewer constructed water features.

The gardens with a view of the St. Croix River are always favorites of mine.

Family Means had a different poster at each garden, describing some of their various services.
There are always Master Gardeners at each garden to answer gardening questions.

"Praying hands" (not to be confused with the prayer plant), fits right in with hosta, which grows well here, mostly in the shade and it many varieties and sizes.

Lilies are right in season now.
And we had our cross-training
for the day!!!

Best Day of the Year!

A cool, in the 60's, high-flying-sky day!
We were out for an hour this morning. I actually ran for nearly a minute... 5 or 6 times, with some tolerable knee discomfort. Running in the wind: energizing!

Trees are crying for water.
Yesterday a weather person on a local TV station reported the lack of rain in most of the 9 county area here "a cruel joke".

Some fireworks skyrocket flowers benefitting from owner-watering.

Garden Tour coming up.

Flowers in front of Family Means which is benefactor of the garden tour.

Beginning the journey back to running

On April 25, a smashing fall on my knees while racing in Minneapolis.
Half marathon in Lincoln, Nebraska, and another in Minneapolis in May.
Knee swollen up like a cantaloupe from early May until a cortisone shot in late June.
About 8 weeks of 3X a day icing, therapy and inactivity, ending in early July.

In June, an x-ray and diagnosis of an injured MCL, inflammation of bursas, and slight arthritis. Supplements (suggested by our naturopathic doctor) for building MCL, therapy.

In July, a different doctor in another medical facility, an MRI and a different diagnosis: meniscus and some cartilege damage.

Today a wonderful consultation (again, but with a different diagnosis) with our naturopathic doctor (ND), and a plan for supplements to help build the knee, and beginning to run again.
Supplements include glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, hyaluronic acid, and something called collagenics, which includes minerals and amino acids.

I have been walking (outdoors, with Sweet Pea!) about 40 minutes a day for 3 days. I am determined, and I am on the way back.

Four legged salad eaters eating leaves off the trees in our yard.

Bold invaders right out the kitchen window.

Tiny butterfly on the finger of a Saturday morning runner in Stillwater.

Walking again in the neighborhood, we found daisies.

It's tiger lily season in Minnesota.

4th of July 2009

39th annual running in Marine on St. Croix


Beginning of the Tour bike race (on TV)


An owl outside our kitchen window

Balloons over Stillwater, boats on the St.Croix River positioned to enjoy the fireworks

Potluck food