As a runner, what is the one thing you dread to hear? For
me, it was “you’ve injured your knee and need to rest from running for the next
three months”. It was like someone sucker punched me in the gut. I was fighting
back tears in the Orthopedic office as the doctor brought in a surgeon that
specialized in patella stabilization. Basically the MRI revealed that I had
some cartilage damage under the patella and the doctor said that it was caused
from my patella popping out of its groove. My mind was going blank and a wave
of nausea came over me as they both talked about surgery. Thank goodness my
background is in Physical Therapy so I already knew most of what they were
talking about. My mind just could not focus in. Finally I heard the words
“rehab” come out of the doctor’s mouth and I forced myself to listen. The
doctor felt that if I could strengthen the muscles on my injured leg, both my
hips and work on stretching then I might be able to avoid surgery and get back
to my running. The doctor was giving me three months to do my own rehab and
then I had to report back for a follow up where we would decide if I’ve done
enough on my own or if surgery was the next step. I was also given a Donjoy patella
stabilization brace to wear when working out and basically wear anytime that I was not
elevating my leg on the couch with ice.
Over the next three months I worked my butt off in the gym
at our apartment complex. I was not allowed to do any cardio for the first few
weeks because my knee was still swollen. I stuck with my resistance band
workouts and stretching for the first bit. Once the swelling in the
knee went away then I got to add in some light cardio but in the form of a
rowing machine or stationary bike.
I ended up going with the row machine because I enjoyed the rhythm it
provided, it reminded me of running. As the weeks went by I advanced from the
lighter bands to the harder bands and then eventually the weighted machines. I
could go longer on the row machine and felt rewarded for my efforts by the
amount of sweating I was doing. 
At first, my mind would stay focused on my workouts. I was
busy thinking about what exercise to do, keeping count of reps and sets and
listening to how my body was feeling. Once I added in longer time on the row
machine I found myself letting my mind wonder, which is one of the things I
love about running. At some point though, it became
unhealthy. I started to let being injured get me down. I would think about all
that I accomplished this year leading up to my injury and wished that I was already that strong runner. I was happy for my running friends when
they posted about their training runs and races but I was also jealous. I was
scared that even though I was doing everything I could that it would not be
enough in the end and that surgery would be the next step. As I put a smile on my
face with everyone I was hoping that they couldn’t see the invisible rain cloud
that was hanging over me. All the progress I was making was starting to suffer
as I began to dread going to the gym. I had to refocus and fast. I ended up
down loading a bunch of pod casts, including the Adventure Channel from Orange Mud, on my phone to listen to so that
my mind wouldn’t wonder to those not so fun places. It totally did the trick
and I was right back on track.
As my follow up appointment was about two weeks away, I felt
that I was ready to test the water. I emailed my Orthopedic doctor and asked if
I could experiment some with a few light runs before I came back to see him.
Surprisingly he agreed! I was able to do a couple of half mile runs and then a
couple of 1 mile runs but only if my knee didn’t swell and I had to be pain free. I
also had to run at a slow pace on a solid surface. Done and done!
Even though my first run was only half a mile, I was geared
up from head to toe. I sported my Tailwind Nutrition hat, Orange Mud Gear Vest
with a soft flask of water in the front pocket, an Orange Mud tank, INKnBURN
shorts, my trusty Donjoy brace and a pair of Hoka One One running shoes. I know it must
sound silly to many people but I found it to be normal, which is something that
I had been missing over these last few months. It is normal for me to wear a
hat or visor, an Orange Mud hydration pack, a tank top that goes well with a
pair of shorts or skort, to have Tailwind in my water and to wear my Hoka
running shoes. I was finally getting back to being myself. What didn’t feel so great was the run. I
started off with a 1 mile walk and then eased into the half mile run. I had no
pain during my run but I sure did suck some wind. I kept looking at my running
watch and couldn’t get over how long the short distance was taking to complete.
It felt like forever. After I completed my run I made sure to cool off with a
slow 1 mile walk back to the car. In many ways I was pumped about my progress and in other ways I was feeling defeated.
Over those next two weeks I worked my way up to a 1 mile run.
I listened to my body and knew when to take it slower. As I sat in the waiting
room for my follow up, I found myself texting back and forth with my BRF from
back home. I was looking for comfort and support because all I wanted to do was
vomit. My body was shaking and my mind was racing. This was judgment day and I
was scared to hear what the doctor had to say. I could tell that the doctor saw
my worry as he entered in the room. Right away the doctor gave me hope as he
told me how much stronger my leg looked. The doctor took some measurements,
moved my leg around and had me do a series of movements. I was told to continue
with my strengthening, wear my brace only when being active and that I could
start increasing my miles. Of course the first thing out of my mouth was “do
you think I can get myself ready for a 50K trail race in four months”. The
doctor gave a little chuckle and told me yes but that I need to really ease
back into the distances and to stay on even ground for the first little bit.
Done and done!! I was left with a warning though, if my patella was to pop out
of the groove again then I need to come back in for it to be looked at and will
need to have a serious talk about surgery.
So here I am, one whole week into my 50K training. I’m
feeling good and taking it slow. I’ve had a few 2 mile runs, some strength
training days and completed my first long run. Even though my long run was only
5.25 miles (4 running miles and 1.25 walking miles) it is the longest distance
since my 16 mile long run back in July and I’m pretty proud of it. I’m taking
it one day at a time and making sure to listen to my body. I’ve got my eye on
the Griffith Park 50K Trail race in 2018 and then a whole list of races to do
after that.
