"wonky biomechanics"

That's what the doctor said I have. Gee, thanks.

Last Wednesday I was able to get an appointment with a doctor in town who specializes in running. He confirmed that I have Iliotibial band syndrome. (And after looking at an x-ray he said my knee is "pristine.") He prescribed an anti-inflammatory medication, an IT band wrap to wear above my knee while running, and physical therapy. He also said I can keep running with pain, as long as it stays within the 0-3 out of 10 range.

I left pretty encouraged.

The next day I had my first physical therapy session (ever in my life). My homework is to do squats, do more squats on one foot, hold my big toe down but lift my other toes (which is so weird, and also impossible on my right foot), stretch my hip flexors, and stretch my IT band. And of course more foam rolling.

Right after my appointment I ran three miles. I had some mild pain, but it was okay.

Saturday I tried to run again, but had to stop at 1.3 miles. I walked a little, tried running again, and stopped at 1.5. I kept asking myself "is the pain above a 3? Is this a 3? Am I a wimp? Am I too tough?" But I knew if I kept going I would start to change my gait, and that's no good.

After the run I iced my knee and then went downtown to read, but I was limping while walking. I was also limping, or at least wanting to limp but not letting myself, today. Ugh. I think maybe the physical therapy homework is aggravating my leg. I'm hoping that's not really a problem. The whole point of the exercises is to strengthen my hips and feet/ankles so they don't wobble around while I run and make my IT band strain too much (which apparently is what's happening with my "wonky biomechanics").

So that's my news. I'm not better. I even feel a little worse. But I trust I will get better eventually, and I'm hopeful that physical therapy will help soon.

I won't be running a marathon in two weeks as planned, or even a half marathon. I'm holding out hope for a race in November though. And if that fails, there's always this local marathon/half in December. We'll see.

Woe is me: ailments of a runner

Throughout the summer I kept meaning to blog about how great my summer running was going. I was feeling fast(er). I saw lots of sunrises and serene foggy mornings. I got to run in beautiful places in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I made a new running friend. I was looking forward to an October marathon. I may have been despairing about my oppressive readings for school and my lack of sleep, but I always looked forward to my next run.

And then? Ugh.

A toenail turned purple, and I'll probably lose it.

I felt some knee pain a couple weeks ago and haven't been able to run since. (I've made it through test runs but before hitting two miles the knee pain comes back so I stop. It's not bad pain, I just know it means I shouldn't keep running.)

My coach said it's probably my IT band, and the main culprit is probably my not foam rolling enough. So now I'm foam rolling twice a day. What a pain. (Sometimes literally.)

Foam rolling on my carpet has given me rug burns on my elbows. I can't even remember the last time I had rug burns on my elbows.

Foam rolling with scabby elbows means they keep cracking and bleeding a little. It makes me feel ridiculous.

I'm also having to rub Bengay on my knee every morning, and ice every night. Trying to run, and not even getting to run, is sure taking a lot of work.

So that's that. I thought I was getting better, but now I'm not so sure. I'm going to try and see a running specialist doctor. For a while I didn't really think I should bother, since I'm sure time will heal me, but if seeing a doctor can get me running safely again sooner, I'm willing to go. I'm hopeful I can still run a marathon this fall, but the October race I've already registered for isn't looking realistic. That's a bummer, but overall I'm okay with it. Some runners go crazy when they are injured and can't run, but I'm doing fine so far. Probably because school, work, running, and trying to have a social life has all been wearing me a little thin recently. My body wanted a break, and now it's getting it.

But I still look forward to getting back out there, purple toenails and early mornings and foam rolling and all.

family moves

Growing up, my mom's side of the family lived six hours away in Texas. Then they lived a lot farther away in Virginia. We only got to see those grandparents and aunts and cousins a couple times a year.

And then I moved to Virginia. I lived with my grandparents, and those aunts and cousins were around all the time. I'd see them every week, or multiple times a week. All holidays and birthdays were spent with the same crew. Sure we could all get on each other's nerves sometimes, but it was kind of nice knowing everyone was around and everyone could be counted on to show up for a family meal or celebration. Even after I moved to Raleigh for grad school, or later when I moved to Charlottesville for work, I could still see them all often. And us "kids" could hang out if we wanted, which was especially nice when my brother was also in town. All the cousins were together.

But now that's changed. My aunt Caryn, plus my cousin Jay and his family, just moved away. To Portland, Oregon. Five people just left, which is a pretty big chunk of our Richmond family. Birthdays and holidays aren't going to be the same. Maybe slightly less stressful, but maybe not nearly as fun. It makes me kind of sad.

As a last "hurrah" for the whole family and to celebrate a birthday, we all got together for dinner a couple weekends ago. The meal was great. The company was great. And I got to meet my cousin's new son for the first time, which was extra great.

Jay presenting a birthday cake to Bobby, who turned five.

Birthday boy with his aunt Leslie.

Meeting Corbin for the first time. (The shot's a little fuzzy but his eyes are open!)

Showin' off our eyeballs.

Baby Corbin!

Gonna miss those boys.

Things in Richmond just aren't going to be the same. I'm going to miss them all.