I Love PT

Monday, August 01, 2011

You can do strength work, but don't know if what you are doing is enough. You don't know if you have a particular muscle that is weak and needs attention. Same with stretching. There are right and wrong ways to stretch. I have learned a lot in PT and it is all paying off.

If you stand and pull your leg back to stretch the quad. Chances are, you are probably doing it incorrectly. That is one thing regarding stretching they made a point to tell me. I stretch the ITB, the quad, and the hammy each session. Who knew a dog leash was so versatile?

You could have a strong(ish) quad but your interior muscles (all fancy names, of course) may be weak. Another area to improve. If you don't know they are weak and you don't strengthen them through proper form...you could have strong quads but still have knee problems.

My kneecap is tracking/resting closer to where it should (slowly but surely). This was good news. I didn't ask when we will try the TM, but I am guessing it could be soon. I need to try to remember to bring my knee brace so they can see if what I have is okay or if I need the type with the 'J' support. They are taping my knee every session and this helps a lot.

I have learned more about my individual mechanics and areas of improvement with this one on one care. I would recommend any runner who has had injury to have the same experience and proper assessment. Once you know you have a good roadmap to stay out of the injury zone. You do have to continue what you were doing in PT so prevent your return as best you can. So that takes commitment. I am so glad they have assured me that having pain/discomfort in late 30s isn't acceptable.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KLSART 8/2/2011 2:01PM

I agree, Physical Therapy is great. So glad you're really benefiting from it. Actually, I think having an injury and then going through PT is the best thing that happened to me because I came out so much better on the other side. Here's to continuing down the road to injury free running! Report Inappropriate Comment

THERESAMARIEM 8/2/2011 10:19AM

I was completely lost because I don't know what PT is. What is it? LOL!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

LIGHTNINGRUNNER 8/2/2011 7:42AM

You will be a better running/athlete because of all this....learning your body and its individuality. Report Inappropriate Comment

PT Update

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Finished my 2nd session of PT for the week. I am going twice a week.

On Monday the PT doc stretched my hamstring and calf simultaneously. Wow did that hurt! But it was a good pain. I did ask during that session if I would ever get back to half marathon or full marathon distance and the answer was 'yes'. So we will see! I will have to take a lot of what I am learning and be diligent in doing it on my own.

Tonight the PT doc re-evaluated my situation. The left knee cap is tracking to the outside a good bit. We know I need the knee brace (preferably with the 'j' on the outside of the knee...whatever that means) for good. My left quad is stronger. I did get on the elliptical for 10 minutes. I cannot tell you how exciting exercise is! LOL. I did all my stretches (calf, hammy, ITB), plus my quad exercises with the ankle weight. Then icing and stimulus at the end. The doc says he wants to get me doing elliptical and treadmill more so we are progressing. They taped up my knees a lot for the quad weight work.

Slowly but surely...this tortoise might see a glimpse of the hare's hair

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JENSFITJOURNEY 7/14/2011 7:14PM

I totally understand! I am recovering from a knee injury and I need to do more of my PT exercises. I recently got an injection in my ITB and it has helped but I have been foam rolling more too! I use the grid foam roller from Trigger Point - AWESOME!! Check it out when you can! Happy Therapy.......you will be back before you know it!! Jen Report Inappropriate Comment

RUNTRILAUGH 7/14/2011 4:28PM

sounds positive!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

NINJALINDA 7/14/2011 4:27PM

Progress is good! I know that 'yes' you got about HM & marathons made you happy Report Inappropriate Comment

LIGHTNINGRUNNER 7/14/2011 1:02PM

So glad you are getting somewhere on PT Report Inappropriate Comment

VAMPTRIANA4EVR 7/14/2011 12:28PM

You must be excited about getting to do more on the elliptical and treadmill... Glad to hear things are slowly getting better. Report Inappropriate Comment

KATHY*RUTH 7/14/2011 3:14AM

great news that you are making progress Report Inappropriate Comment

Battling That 'Other' Girl

Saturday, July 09, 2011

You know...the one inside who, if the stress piles up high enough...goes back and eats the wrong foods? Because she is still in there. I feed her lots of delicious and healthy food, but she slips up.

I thought this working at home gig was fine. Most times it is. Sometimes I miss being in an office. But then I go into the office and don't accomplish a lot because of interruptions. With the kids out of school and the husband...I feel surrounded. All the time. Can you say claustrophobia? I am constantly an employee to someone with no breaks in between. Not even the luxury of a commute so I could at least claim that time as peaceful. It is tiring! And stressful! And then people wonder why I look cranky! Heck yeah I am cranky. Sadly, I cannot wait for everyone (including my husband) to have something other to do than pace around me or ask me for something or can't find something. And when I am on a business call...the husband gets cranky and makes threatening faces at the kids and shoo's them out of the area. It is no fun. At all. Ugh and grr.

I've seen people on SP say don't be negative. Well, blogs are about navigating through the pros and the cons that inevitably affect our healthful lives and keep us on the right path. I know this challenge is temporary, but it has affected my eating. So I have to fight harder to keep to battling 5 lbs instead of 10. I can do this, but I needed to get this out. So thanks for listening.

I have to get some additional bloodwork done due to the results of my standard bloodwork. To be continued! And I start back on PT this week. I had a break during vacay and then needed a week to regroup with work stuff. That will at least add some movement back into the mix. And I have decided after some funk period that if I can do the elliptical then I should. Pool time is iffy, so I need to do what works.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LIGHTNINGRUNNER 7/10/2011 9:54AM

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HMBALISON 7/9/2011 1:29PM

I work at home, too, and it is hard when everyone is home, too. My productivity has been dismal this week. Hang in there. I hope your bloodwork comes back health. Report Inappropriate Comment

Busted Stuff

Monday, June 13, 2011

It could be a DMB song or we could be talking about my body ...or my emotions ...but for today, to narrow it down...we'll keep to my body

So...I started and finished couch to 5k. Did a 5k

Then I moved on to Coach Mike's 10k training...no 10k that weekend but I was ready to meet the duathalon challenge and finished 3rd in my age group

But when that was over, and when I was doing any old fitness, I had routine (but not sharp or burning) soreness in my knee. With any kind of fitness I chose.

Perhaps fortunately, or unfortunately...my basement flooded, no A/C, and hot as all tabasco outside...caused me to pause

I wasn't terribly happy when the xray revealed not much of anything wrong on a near 37 yr old knee. I did get a referral to a PT group (and I did not last year when I injured myself pretty badly). Fastforward to this evening, when I finally had my appointment. So what did I learn?

1) My IT bands are tighter than a banjo string
2) My left leg is 1 cm shorter than my right
3) Due to #1, I have a pretty nasty tracking issue of the left kneecap
4) My left quad is noticeably smaller than the right
5) My right leg is bowed in, and it is pretty noticeable (therfore affecting gait)
6) My quads are tighter than a banjo string too
7) The 'fat pads' on my knees were noticeable

So what's the Rx for busted stuff? PT twice a week. They showed me how to do exercises that I have to do on non PT days. Doc can give me an insert for the shorter leg, but longer distance probably wouldn't be the wisest move. Especially with the right leg bowing. Yeah, I've got common sense. Good thing I want to get to a sub 30 5k, right? Doc asked 'you aren't planning on losing anymore weight, right?' Eesh.

Good thing it's pool weather because one of the best types of fitness is swimming. Time to channel my late gma's swimming greatness and make some good of it. Or get really buff

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BRIDGIE1028 6/14/2011 6:32PM

Wow that's a lot to have thrown at you in one day. I love your positive outlook despite hearing all that. I second the yoga and maybe this means you get more into biking and less into running? Report Inappropriate Comment

DAS92687 6/14/2011 1:30PM

Julie, Have fun swimming. You are gorgeous and buff already :) Report Inappropriate Comment

MGJARVI 6/14/2011 12:58PM

Well... I know how *I* would have felt with all of that thrown at ME, so here is your big hug: Now, to make you accountable for doing that PT exercises!!! I'd be interested to know what they have you doing, especially for quad strength and IT band... Report Inappropriate Comment

LUV4CHOCOLATE 6/14/2011 12:35PM

Oh my! Sounds like your time at the PT was informative, though. And swimming is such an excellent exercise -- probably one of the best ones out there! I also want to add that you may want to consider yoga. That should help some with the tightness and help build strength, too. Comment edited on: 6/14/2011 12:37:33 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

LIGHTNINGRUNNER 6/14/2011 10:58AM

Sorry this is happening, but I like the idea of swimming and getting buff. Report Inappropriate Comment

Monday's 'Honey Do' List

Monday, June 06, 2011

1) stay in my caloric range, preferably the low end
2) exercise today. knee is sore so it may just be walking...but it is better than nothing!
3) drink 74 oz of just water. not drinks that are no caff/etc and could 'count' towards it

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

POLK-A-DOTS 6/6/2011 3:17PM

Great plan! Report Inappropriate Comment

LIGHTNINGRUNNER 6/6/2011 12:57PM

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