Should You or Shouldn't You?

When I saw the ortho doc back in January I had forgotten to ask an important question. Is it worth it to take Glucosamine? So I simply called their office yesterday and was told by his nurse that he highly recommends taking it. Glucosamine is taken for joint pain. According to the label it is made from shellfish so I guess if you were allergic it wouldn't be a good idea.

It can be quite pricy(compared to some vitamins) but I decided to go ahead and give it a try during the racing season. I had taken it a couple of years ago but didn't stick with the regimen for long. So officially I started it Feb. 20.

There's no proof that it works but there isn't any that proves it doesn't.

The nurse told me it can take 6 - 8 weeks to feel it work. Hopefully I made a good decision.

Almost Time

The racing season is upon me. Actually, it's been here all along. I just don't like to run in the winter, remember I'm a wimp.

The race that got me started last year is posted for March 6. It's a race at my honey's school which is a fund raiser.

I haven't decided if I will run it or not and probably won't decide until race day. It is three weeks earlier this year which means it will probably be cold.

My last race was Nov. 6th and right now every time I go out and run I feel like my legs weigh a zillion pounds. I know I'm not in racing shape but I have to start some where, right?

Yay! It's Good New this Time!

Just got back from the ortho evaluation. No surgery is indicated. Boy, does that make me feel good. The funny thing is the pain I was experiencing was on the opposite side of the meniscus tear. Go figure!

He thinks the tear is asymptomatic. But he does think there is some tendonitis/inflammation of a tendon with a fancy name! So he told me to continue slowly getting back into running, continue the Mobic I've been taking for pain and if problems still persist after a month to give him a call. Also, I need to stretch those ham strings a lot more. Interesting, when trainers tell you to stretch those muscles, there's a reason for it. Hmmm!

Anyway, I'm doing my happy dance today. Yippee!!!

It's Not Good News

After my run yesterday I experienced some stinging, burning pain on the outside of my knee. With all the aches and pains I have had in this knee I hadn't really had this one before. Naturally it concerned me especially after my hubbie telling me his torn meniscus had felt that way. He had knee surgery a few years ago.

So this a.m. I decided I needed to have it checked out. Luckily I go to a medical clinic that I don't need an appointment for. During the consultation I stressed the importance of knowing what the problem is. She decided an MRI was appropriate. So I had that done this a.m. too.

If you have never had an MRI done before don't be in any hurry. Technology really is amazing but just to give you an idea of what it sounds like. Place a large pot over one of your ears and bang on it at varying speeds with a medal spoon or knife. That gives you a good idea. Plus you have to be extremely still. Also, an MRI isn't a fast test. After about 20 minutes I was about ready to go crazy.

And the diagnosis? A torn meniscus. So now I am waiting for a call from the sports clinic to see what has to be done. Ugh!!!

A Fun Run....Not!!!

After being off the last two days due to rain, Mr. Sunshine was out in full force this a.m.Was I ever so glad to see him. So, around 9:00 out I went to, hopefully, enjoy my run. Not to be had. The wind was blowing so hard, 20-30 mph gusts and I felt each and every one. If I had sprouted wings I could have flown for my exercise instead of running.

Luckily my right knee didn't bother me much but I'd say this wasn't my most pleasant run.

W Stands for Wimp

Well I hate to admit it but I've turned into a big, fat wimp. My running is suffering terribly. Or is that, I'm suffering terribly? Last week while in Oklahoma for Thanksgiving I had the privilege of running on a treadmill at my brothers house. Since returning home I have ran once in 4 days.

But in my favor I do have to admit the weather hasn't been entirely cooperative. This week we have seen chilly temps, overcast, cloudy skies and 10-20 mile an hour winds. Probably most enthusiastic runners don't see this as a problem but for me..........

Lets just say after standing on my feet all day at work, outside in this type of weather, the last thing I want to do when I get home is run. I really wish I had the motivation to just get out there and do it, but I don't. All I have wanted to do is come home from work and jump into a hot shower which is exactly what I have done.

As I am sitting here typing this now, it looks to be another day exactly like the last few. But the one good thing is I am now thru with work for the season. Hopefully, I will muster up enough motivation to get out there today.

However if I don't you'll be able to spot me in any crowd. I'll be the one wearing a big "W" on my back.

The Blackbird 5k

Sat. morning started out in the low to mid 40's, sunshine and beautiful blue skies. It was the perfect morning for a race. This one was held in Brandon, MS at the United Methodist Church. It was a benefit for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. It's also a memorial to a former member of the church who had been a coach. His nickname was Blackbird. Even my hubbie had coached against him years ago.

In addition to the 5k a 10k and a mile fun run was being run. All in all over 250 runners participated.Before any race the setting looks much like this. Racers visiting with other racers. My last post was about reasons I run and me not being really sure why I do. One thing I am sure of is the friendships that are made before. We're not really here to compete against each other. I think our biggest opponent is the clock. The 10k racers took off about a minute before we did and then it was our turn. Luckily, the start was downhill. See the guy in front? What an awesome runner! He ran a 5:30 pace. I can't imagine it.This is the uphill that led to the finish line. Uphill finishes are no fun.But I have to say having your own personal cheerleader cheer for you is really great!In the end I finished 1st female overall again. Sweet. All that hard work does pay off. They had wanted to do a big group picture of all the overall winners but unfortunately most of them had left at the end of the awards ceremony. See the young lady standing in the red next to me. My hubbie use to coach her when she was in the 8th grade. She's real sweet. She came in second right behind me.My final time was 22:23, the same as the Wellsfest run. I was 13th overall. Even tho this run was fairly hilly I still enjoyed it.