My friend Andrea is always encouraging me to better myself. She was the reason I did my first (and only) 5k a couple years ago. Since that time, I developed a year long bout with plantar fasciitus, a torn meniscus, and Lyme disease. The Lymes increased my knee pain and general joint pain throughout my body.
The comeback from the Lymes and torn meniscus has taken a full year. It took a long time to even regain enough strength to do a weenie workout, let alone the kind of strength and cardio I used to do. As a personal trainer, I had pretty high standards for my exercise regimen, but I had to drastically lower them to find a bench mark from which to begin. I decided to try alternative cardio, so I took up swimming. I've always been scared of water, so this was a great undertaking. Once again, Andrea was there, cheering me on, giving me tips (I called her coach). I couldn't believe how far I came in just a few short months! My first day in the pool, I could only swim 3/4 of the way across before stopping, gasping for breath! After four months, I could swim 24 laps in one setting!
Then came spring and summer, and I decided to learn to bike! These adventures are mentioned in my blog "My Novice Mountain Biking Adventures" so I won't go into that here, but it has indeed been another new challenge to learn!
I gingerly began to run on the treadmill again. At first it was pretty painful, but I've been able to work through it, ice the knees, and add time each week. I used to run 3 miles daily, 6 days a week. That's not a lot to a runner, but you have to understand that I used to hate running. I developed a real love for it, but I don't have the body of a runner (short, stubby legs)! I can now run three miles again. It is still a stretch for me, usually I run a couple of times a week, only 2 miles each time.
A couple weeks ago, Andrea texted me saying I should do the triathlon at the local YMCA. I decided to try the route first, and if I did it, then commit!
In my next post, I'll tell how that went - my own personal triathlon in one afternoon!
Oh I HOPE to see you there!! These indoor ones are the best way to start. I've been battling my knee pain from running too, but this is great b/c you don't have to worry about transition times and the run is only 2.5 miles on the treadmill! You can TOTALLY do this!
ReplyDelete--It's Wendy Evans, btw, :)
My blog is getupandtri.blogspot.com
Thanks, Wendy!!! I appreciate your support!!! Yes, I know you're frustrated with the knee pain and I can totally relate, but we WILL prevail!!! Thanks for joining!
ReplyDeleteyoure awesome mama llama!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHmmm...and we have more in common. I tore my ACL playing volleyball 2 years ago. Had patellar reconstruction and developed Patellar Femoral Syndrome, which means running is really, really hard and spinning even gives me fits if I'm not careful. Thus the reason I chose to just be a gimpy swimmer today :)
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