desperate2run

OK, So its been awhile.  I had my surgery in 2012 (March) and began running in 2014.  I ran a half in 2016 and then another in 2017.  The 2017 one went badly, as I had an IT band issue when the race started that did not get any better.  Nonetheless I finished.  I run about 20 miles a week.  This past summer, nagged with various aches and pains, I took off 2 weeks from running and returned to weight lifting.  After two weeks, I began running again.  I also began taking Tumeric – which seems to really help my knee not get irritated when running.   I have not had much by way of pain or problems since this summer. I am doing another half marathon this Saturday and am hoping to have a good experience (unlike last year).  The first one I did after surgery, in 2016 was pretty easy and fun and I thought I was on the up swing.  Last year was not good, but I have done a 12 miler, a 10 miler etc…  recently and all is well.  So….. wish me luck!

It has been awhile and I did not want anyone to think I ran that last half marathon and then did an epic crash. In fact I have been continuing to run about 18-20 miles per week until about 4 weeks ago, when I slowly started increasing my miles to prepare for a fall half marathon. My knee is still stiff when sitting long periods and can be a little cranky after a run, but is otherwise pretty good. I started taking fish oil tablets and glucosamine tablets (both max dosage) religiously about 40 days ago, and I have to say my knee feels betters. All in all I would say things are going great. I run 5 days per week, weight lift on one day and take one day off of doing anything. So far so good.

This Sunday’s half marathon went remarkably well. It was my first since being injured training for a full marathon at the end of 2011. My surgery was almost exactly four years ago.  I did not run for nearly 2 years and then very slowly began running again and building miles.  My first organized race was a 4 miler on thanksgiving of 2014.  This Sunday I finished 13.1 in 2:15 – which is the slowest of my running life but not as slow as I had thought it would be. My pace was consistent over the course of the race and I have to say it was pretty easy.  I felt soreness during miles 8 -10 in the back of my knee, but not the front.  By mile 11 I was so happy I picked up speed and forgot all about any discomfort.  It was not particularly painful and did not alter my gait. I was stiff the next day and did not run (hopped on the elliptical instead) but was able to run by Tuesday with no difficulty. I can’t believe that I am actually running distance again and I can’t be more pleased. I will definitely do another… So for all those folks out there wondering if it was all worth it — MOST DEFINITELY.  With that said, I must warn that the knee is not “normal”.  I still feel stiff when sitting long periods and the quad is still smaller than the non-operated leg side.  But, I really did not think it would go as well as it did.  Pretty fun all in all.  I can confirm what my doctor told me, and that is, that the knee would continue to improve over the course of as much as 5 years.  At year four I can say I am much better than in the three prior years and notice the difference from this time last year.  Life is good.

Finally! I have been continually increasing my running and have gotten to the point where I am ready to do a half marathon.  I have been sticking to a training schedule and have one more long run this weekend (12 miles) and then I will do a half marathon two weeks later. (taking the weekend off in between from long runs to taper).  I am confident that my knee is ready as my long runs this far (11 last weekend) have not caused me any problems at all.  It will be four years almost to the day since my surgery by the time I do the half marathon…. These 4 years have definitely been a “marathon”!  I am very pleased to be where I am now.  Will post after the 1/2.

I completed a 10 mile charity run three days ago.  It was my longest run since surgery and I was a little nervous.  It was not very hilly, but I would not call it entirely flat either.  It went fairly well. The last two miles, I definitely felt tired and my “bad” knee was having some mild discomfort in the back of the knee – but no sharp pains or need to walk.  I finished in 1:45 – so the pace was 10:30.  This is much slower than I used to run, but I was happy that the pace remained consistent for every mile.  After the run, I was stiff, but not in pain.  I was achy the next day but was able to run on Tuesday (race day was Sunday) without any problem.  I am very happy that it turned out as well as it did.  I am trying to figure out now if I would be considered incredibly stupid to run a half marathon in 3 weeks 🙂

Ran a 12K this weekend. It went very well. No problems at all. There was no pain during or after the run. Time 1:14. Not too bad. I am training for a 10 Miler in one month – with hopes that I can do a half on December 6. I’ll keep you posted. 🙂 Never thought I would be getting to this point, so I am very excited.

I have run 2 10ks in the last month – both went just fine. I am definitely not in my former running shape – but I completed both without pain (some weird feelings in the numb spot but not pain). I am running at about 10 min 30 sec. miles – which is about 90 seconds slower than my former 9 minute miles (before surgery) – but I am o.k. with that. Relative to other runners my age, I am still finishing in the top half. I am so happy to be running again. My biggest fear is an injury. I am going to keep doing 10K’s until they feel easier and are a bit faster then see about progressing to longer distances:)

I am 3 years 4 months post surgery and I am continuing to improve. My knee does not feel 100 percent normal and may never feel “normal”. It is still stiff after sitting a long time and occasionally a little irritated after a long run or excessive (4 or more miles) of walking. There is a spot on the sides where the nerves were cut and will never have feeling. It’s a pain when shaving because I can’t feel it! I run about 4x a week. I looked back on my first run post surgery and it was like 41 minutes for 3 miles. That is down to a little over 28 minutes for 3 miles. I am slower outside however and am working on getting better on hills. I am clearly not where I used to be in terms of speed but I really don’t care. I feel very grateful for my continuing progress and I feel so fortunate to be active again. It is great to be having difficulty deciding between a century ride or training for a half marathon in October. I am somewhat nervous about the half marathon doing damage to my knee but we shall see.:) I am slowly increasing mileage to see how it responds. Longest run so far is a 7 miler.  No problems yet. Not sure my doctor would like my plan…. But then again I have not asked.

Well- I finally did a 10k! It went great – much easier than I expected. Finished in about 1:04:30- no problems. Ironically I slipped and fell directly on my bad knee two days ago and it’s black and blue- but it appears fine otherwise. I tried not to panic and other than being bruised it’s fine. I’m definitely slower than before surgery- but then again I am older! There is still a size difference in the quads- but not too noticeable. I’m pondering trying to do a half marathon at the end of this year- but that might be a pipe dream. For now- another 10k next month.

Well- I finally did an organized race- a 4 miler on Thanksdiving day! It was awesome. It was fun to participate again. I did not make any stops and finished in about 42 minutes. It was VERY hilly. No problems afterward. About 3 weeks later I ran 6.25 outside on my own (I was trying out a new GPS and was shooting for 5- go figure)! I am signed up for a 10k in three weeks. I am not like I used to be in terms of speed and strength and that can be depressing- but the fact that I can run at all makes me very grateful. Before my surgery my doc told me my chances of running again were 50/50- so when I get bummed I remember that and feel so very lucky. I still worry about a graft failure now and then- but I think that is highly unlikely given I am almost at the three year mark. If this blog makes it sound like all I do is obsess over running- rest assurred I have a full time job- a husband- two teens and two dogs (yes I let the Great Dane from year one live after eating my sand which). But, I like to keep this blog alive because when I get discouraged I can look back and see how far I’ve come and hopefully give others similarly situated something to gauge their own experiences by.