The Midlife Reframe

Category: kneepain

  • #ProjectAmy/#FightForHappy Update and Plans for the Upcoming Week!

    #ProjectAmy Got Off To a Great Start!

    I logged 17kms walking – woop!  This included taking the stairs as often as I could when I was at work.  I also got outside as much as humanly possible.  The Vitamin D was good for me!

    I was also able to get in some yoga at home and at a class 🙂  I was able to get some Yin Yoga in at home as well.  I really am seeing the benefit of a regular practice!

    Started my upper body training…which is being kicked into high gear!  

    WHY?

    In 17 days I am going to need that upper body strength to haul myself from my “pod of no weight on the leg” to the bathroom and kitchen area (or just move my coffee makers to the living room, and yes, I said makerS).  I know I won’t see MEGA changes, but I need that strength, for now and later!
    I may need this Tshirt for my recovery…lol

    February…

    I started off my February with a meditation this morning.  It is also the beginning of the Meditation Challenge with DoYouYoga.com!  I will be saving that one for later this evening.
    Meditation = Happy 🙂

    What’s on for this week?

    Well, more walking for sure.  
    Packing my bag tonight for yoga class tomorrow at the gym (going to try and make the three classes this week – two being my goal).
    Working on the upper body and core.
    As before, keep on me people!  If you don’t see a #ProjectAmy on Twitter (@crazymamaruns) or my Facebook Page (Crazy Mama Runs)….send me a “Hey, did you get out to walk, to the gym, or meditate today?” message.  I need it!  
    (Props to Peady for sending me one of these this week!!  And to my Greg for making sure I stick to my guns!)

    And I just want to say…

    Thank you.
    Thank you to my “Greg” for the #ProjectAmy inspiration and being my biggest source of encouragement.  I love ya!
    Thank you to my Ginger Friend for making sure I get out with the girls!
    Thank you to all my Twitter peeps who keep me looking forward, and reminding me of how much closer I am to lacing up my sneakers 🙂
    Thank you to all my FitBit peeps who keep me moving.  Even if I don’t reach my daily goal, you keep the challenges coming 😉
    And thank you to my family for being there, as always.
    #crazymamaruns
     

  • And I am CLOSER to my Surgery!

    I never thought this day would come!

    This April will have been one full year since my slip in the Dominican and this journey began!

    What started out as a possible meniscus tear was discovered to be an actual joint condition that I’ve had since I was a teenager!

    Osteochondritis Dissecans

    So, since the knee has been getting progressively worse over the past couple of weeks, I went back into the surgeon last Friday.
     
    He asked me some questions about my activity (“You’re doing no sports….RIGHT?”) and manipulated my knee.

    We discussed the options:  If the piece that was still in there hanging on was still, in fact, hanging on, there will be a screw put through that to save it and stimulate healing.  

    As for the piece(s) still floating around, they will be removed.  All depending on whether or not the CarGel is available, there will probably be some microfracturing as to regenerate the bone and cartilage.

    IF the piece hanging on for dear life is NOT able to be screwed in – the words “bone graft” were spoken.

    FUN TIMES!

    So I sit now and wait for the phone call to come this week telling me my actual surgery date.

    I am in good hands, but, I am nervous, excited and vomit-like all at the same time.

    And then I remember, in the not too distant future, I CAN RUN!

    Stay tuned for further updates in the Knee Chronicles!

    #crazymamaruns

  • 2015

    A blank canvas.

    Where there is much uncertainty in the land of Crazy Mama.

    Yep…whole lotta empty right there.

    I had what I am sure was the beginning of Knee-mageddon on Saturday where I went to stand up and something moved….something REALLY moved inside my knee.  

    There was pain and quite a few bad words.

    When I woke up the next morning, there was a smallish lump up above my knee.  I tried to show my Greg, but he SO did not want to see it.

    So I moved it.  Smooshed it back to where it came from…I think.  Then something tried to escape on the inside of my leg from inside my knee.  So, I smooshed IT back to where it came from.  

    I think.

    I called the surgeon’s office on Monday and got an appointment for January 9th.

    I figure the piece of cartilage/bone that is already in there really wants to escape, or a friend has joined it from FemurTown.

    This also happened after my FitBit christening.  I took over 13,000 the first day.  Now I am lucky to make it to 10,000.  Boo-urns.  My cousin’s wife is currently kicking my BUTT.

    Not that I am taking this lying down!

    Because I am not.  I am still goal planning with yoga, and gym stuff, and my whole life in general.

    I just want to be able to plan a run.  Not a big run, but a run.

    And I know I will.

    But back to my FitBit…

    I absolutely LOVE my FitBit Flex! My Greg gave it to me for Christmas. It has a lime green band and I am absolutely enthralled.

    This puppy tracks my steps, my sleep (the quality and quantity), I can also plug in my food and water on the app.  I don’t know how I survived before it!!!  (Well, okay, I DO, but shut up…..lol)

    This is my first “device” that I have attached to my body to track anything, so I am totally biased right now.  I believe that you have to find what works for you.   But I just love this little guy and so enjoy having it buzz and light up when I hit 10,000 steps!  So addicted!

    I am still really digging into all it can do.  So awesome.

    So, resolutions?

    Have to say, not really making any this year.  Only because it really is a blank canvas for me.  A lot of unknowns.  

    Usually, as a person with depression/anxiety, this would send me around the bend.

    But for some reason.  I’m okay.

    I think that maybe I needed this break to realign.  To get back to the other forms of fitness that compliment my running.

    A crappy way to take a break, but you have to play the cards you were dealt.

    So, I have begun to read The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga

    I am writing down things that inspire me, so that I can share them on my blog.

    I am also doing a 10 day Yoga InstaG Challenge with Erin Motz.

    What has been inspiring you lately?  Who has been inspiring you lately?

    #crazymamaruns

     

     

     

     

  • Back to the GYM!!!

    I know, Super Pumped RIGHT???


    Don’t get me wrong.  I’ve actually been to gym before.  Worked in one even.  Trained people too 😉

    This is a nice small gym at my workplace (big bonus points – it’s RIGHT THERE) and I know the guy who runs it very well.  I always feel welcome and he knows that I was a trainer in the past.  So he lets me do my thing and we chat about my injury and what I am thinking of doing in the future with my fitness.  It’s nice and chill.

    There is only one other gym I would frequent in the HRM – and that is 360 Fit

    Devin and the gang at 360 Fit are wicked awesome.  If they were closer to me in Halifax, I would be kickin’ it there 😉  But  they’re in Burnside…and it would take me forever to get there at lunch.  If you are over the bridge and are looking for some killer bootcamps and trainers…GO TO THIS GYM!

    As I sit here typing, my legs are nice and sore (legs on the elliptical day yesterday).  I chose the elliptical because cardio…and it gave me something to hold onto while I worked the legs.  I am not a “bouncer” on the elliptical.  I want to work my muscles, not jiggle my junk…lol.  It felt great and I am once again hooked!

    I went for a walk with my friend T today on the waterfront, and we climbed the Danger Wave 😉  

    Danger Wave….beware



    Tomorrow is yoga at the gym , which is good because these legs need a good stretch and my inner peace needs some major peace (and there is a nice spot for me to hang where I can keep my balance, not fall over and hurt others!).  This is also in addition to my yoga challenge – Day 29 tomorrow!!!!

    I do miss my hot yoga….maybe after surgery, and recovery, and physio….

    So, stay tuned for some workouts and gym selfies!  Woooooo!

    And Christmas stuff…because it’s December, and I love Christmas!!

    But my next post is my review of my 30 Day Yoga Challenge.

    #crazymamaruns

     

  • Working it out…..

    The whole “not running” thing

    I know it’s not FOREVER, but the thought of not even having my surgery for another 6 months is very disheartening.  But that is how free health care works.  Unless I get worse, I wait.

    Can I do other things?  Yes.

    Problem being, it will become a robotic motion.  Working out will become about counting reps and coming up with something that will spark my interest.

    Biggest problem, it was my job when I was first diagnosed with depression.  I was a zombie – not remembering what exercise was next, not counting reps.  It was a whole bunch of bad.

    It’s hard to separate the event from the time in my life.

    Running was my way to reconnect.  To run was to be free.  To decompress.

    Is yoga good?  Yes, I love yoga.  Yoga does help me reconnect. It helps me sleep.

    Am I drowning in my own pity party?  Most would think so.

    But for me, I can’t just turn it off.  Then I get angry.

    Angry that I feel like this.  Angry at those who love me for suggesting other options.  Options I know, but don’t want to hear right now.

    Then – Stubborn Amy rises and says all the things she will do after the knee is operated on – because depression/anxiety = irritation and defensive.

    So, I am pulling out my old workout cards

    Hoping that there are some workouts that spark my interest.  Workouts I can do at home.  Doing them at home is safe for me right now.

    Having a piece of bone/cartilage floating around makes your stability difficult.  If I am home and fall, I can adjust and move on – there is no one around me.

    Do you find that weird?  It may be to the regular gym going person.

    I just don’t want to talk about it I guess.  I am afraid that if I go somewhere and have my knee give out or lock, someone will try to help me.  Then I will get mad, not at them, but at my knee.  Then they may wear my anger.

    I don’t want anyone to wear my anger.

    It’s the reason why I get quiet, or change the subject.

    I’m not mad at anyone.

    I’m mad at the situation.

    I’m mad at my knee.

    I just keep reminding myself….better days are coming.  Even when I don’t feel like they are.

    #crazymamaruns

     

  • It’s Almost Here.

    My date with the surgeon.

    And I have my nervous face on.

    I mean, I pretty much have a good idea about what is going to happen.  It’s just hearing him say it, and I can ask detailed questions about recovery.

    I’ll be fine going into surgery.  I just know it won’t be pretty when I am done.

    So, as of tomorrow it’s one week.  Let the finger chewing….BEGIN!

    It was turkey weekend here.

    Canadian Thanksgiving.  Food, Family and what we are all thankful for…..TURKEY!  I had my share, both Sunday and the holiday Monday.  Some say our Thanksgiving coincides with the start of hockey season….and that is why we celebrate in October, lol.  Who am I to debate THAT!

    Today was my turkey hangover.  It involved A LOT of coffee and water.  Bad combo for my Tuesday-Monday.

    What’s on my mind now??

    Races.  When can I run them?  Will I ever do a full marathon? I have so many races that I want to do.  I’ll have to sit down and make a plan once I have full details of surgery and recovery.

    So I am continuing with my yoga practice at home.  I will be volunteering the first weekend of November at the Lucky 7 Relay here in Haliwood, NS, and getting some runs in where I can.  (As long as my knee behaves!)

    I was lucky on my Sunday run to tweak my stride a little and lead with my hips.  What a big difference that made!  I am learning more and more about my body and it’s mechanics as the years go by.  It is definitely an adventure, especially getting older and having injuries 😉

     

    So, what does everyone do during their downtime?  Do you cross train more? Lift? Cycle? Swim?

    I’d love to hear from you out there.  Drop me a comment!

     

  • September, Surgeon, and Looking Towards Late Fall…

    Friday – Awesome Cookie Delivery

    This weekend was awesomeness!

    There were many celebrations this weekend, as yours truly turned yet another year older!

    The awesomeness started on Friday with a delivery to my office…COOKIES!  My “Greg” is super duper fantastic.  These are from Halifax Cookie Cravings. Handmade, with locally sourced ingredients.  She delivers on her bicycle 🙂  MUCH LOVE to this lovely woman!

    Had a great hike on Saturday in Victoria Park (the bottom pics in my mega pic).  It has Jacob’s Ladder, which are the stairs I am walking up…all 175 of them.

    Media preview
    Saturday – Hiking, Luau, and Fire!

    This park is awesome.  We haven’t had much rain lately, so the waterfalls were waterdribbles 😦  But still a great day for a trail hiking adventure!

    Then…..we came home, refuelled and got ready for an evening of Luau BBQ Party Time! Was a ton of fun!  Games, food and great people.  Definitely a great day 🙂 

    Surgeon Appointment!!!  Yahoooo!

    Love love love hot yoga!

    Since I had not heard from anyone for about six weeks, I made a call to Dr. S as he told me to if I had not heard about a referral by this time.  Thank goodness the super awesome receptionist was able to find the info and hand me off to the surgeon who will be doing my knee surgery.  I meet with him in October 😀   Since it will be day surgery, I am hoping I get in BEFORE Christmas.  I would love to be able to run some races next summer/fall!

    For now, I am to stick to my yoga and my short runs.  No racing.

    So, What’s Going on Now?

    Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

    The winning shirt arrived from Runalicious!  Soft, comfortable and fit me perfectly.  It is definitely in my rotation of super fantastic weekend shirts 😀  They have some really great t shirts and running singlets.  Give them a look see!

    Been looking to get some new smoothie recipies.  I’ve gone through Pinterest, but if any of you out there have some quick and easies, please comment below!  I love trying new smoothies 🙂

    For now, I am trying to keep myself healthy and not cause further damage to the knee.  With this condition, where there are already mini fractures and floatie pieces in my knee, sometimes just taking a step can cause it to lock or let go.  Argh.  So my running is spotty, my walking questionable and my yoga full of adjustments.

    So keeping the knee “good” is hard, because I am clumsy.  Really clumsy.  I once sprained my ankle running across the street to a Dairy Queen and I’ve been known to walk into door jambs, while walking towards the door.

    Is anyone else clumsy like me?  lol

      

  • Contest Winner, Books, and A Confession….

    Runalicious has chosen their winner!

    And it was Jessica with the slogan “Chasing My Sanity” 🙂  Congrats Jessica!!

    The Ladies posted a teaser pic today:

    I love love love it!  AND….Runalicious is going to share the whole “how does this shirt thing happen” process with us!  Stay tuned to my blog for the awesomeness of shirt making!!  Thank you so much for this opportunity Runalicious!

    I’ve started reading running books…

    Photo: Bosu Burpees anyone? Starting tomorrow!!because my running is sketchy at best with this lovely condition I have.  So, I figured, let’s get a fix of running through the written word.  I am still attending yoga classes and walking with sporadic running, so I am maintaining fitness, and the Bosu Burpee Challenge is still going strong!

    [Today was 15 burpees.

    I did them.

    The Bosu gets kind of heavy after a while….that IS a good thing.  I tell myself that every extra burpee.]

    Anyway, back to books.

    On one of my last trips to Chapters, I wandered around aimlessly, looking for an actual book (My e reader is broken…I kind of inadvertently stepped on it while half asleep, because it had fallen on the floor.  I was reading in bed).

    While I was hunting down another title with my daughter and my mother, I came across Running with the Mind of Meditation by Sakyong Mipham.  It rang out to me and I had to have it. I am just about finished 🙂  It is an easy and enjoyable read.

    https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/RRc3EKfpIDA&source=uds

    I know some people are not “meditation” people, but for me and for some with a mental illness, meditation can be a way to bring ourselves BACK to ourselves.  To steady the mind.  To synchronize the mind and body.
     

    I am always learning and I love to read.  My next book will be the Hansons Half Marathon Method .  I have read a teaser, and can’t wait to get started!

    And now, my confession…

    For those who are here on a regular basis, you know that I have been battling depression/anxiety for a little over 3 years now.

    Sometimes, I get over confident, and think that I am “feeling better”.  When this happens, I kind of forget to take my medication every now and then.

    So, yeah, I did forget quite a few days last month.  After a good dose of whoopass from my mother, I am back on track.

    So if you are being treated and think you “may” be feeling better….check in with yourself.  Check in with your doctor.  Talk to someone you love and trust. They will tell you the truth, and kick you in the butt (in a good way). 

    Hope to see you back here soon.  Keep your eyes open for the next post!

     

     

  • Lessons Learned as a Relatively Newb Runner

    I’ve always learned things the hard way.


    And that also applies itself to running.  I’m stubborn too, which just adds to the problem, lol.

    I first started running when I was working with a personal trainer at the gym.  

    It all started when one of the girls at my workplace started up a lunchtime run group.
    The first day we ran 5km.  I felt like I was running on a cloud….oh wait, those were my new sneakers. BONUS POINT:  I had running sneakers.  I went out and bought a good pair of Sauconys.  Go me 🙂

    I was hooked.  Running was awesome!

    Problem #1: I was not stretching.  Not warming up.  Not like I should have been. This lead to some really tight legs after my very first 10km race (I had done a Run for the Cure 5km prior).


    And then……about a year later

    Problem #2 – Stubborn: Since I was invincible, I began to train for my first Half Marathon.

    Training was going well (at least I thought it was, lol) After my 18km long run, I felt AWESOME.  Went for another run, pain.  A lot of pain.  Right outside my knee.  I thought, okay, rest up.  This was one week before the race.  I was tight all the way up to my hip.  So I foam rolled and bought a strap for the old IT band at the race expo.

    Day of the half…I ran, in pain, and finished at 2:30.  I walked a lot of the last few kms, but ran over the finish line.

    I could barely walk the next day.  Off to doc and off to physio.  My IT band was shot…tightest EVER.

    Was a long haul back and lesson learned.

    Problem #3: Not listening to my body.  This applies to Problem #1 and #2.  I was not stretching and applying any serious cross training.  I thought some of the pain was “just a runner thing”.  Yes, I should have known better.

    Another year later!  We are into year 3.

    Problem #4:  Eat better, fuel better.  This took some work, as I love to eat and the more I ran, the more I wanted to EAT!  This caused some upset belly moments and some dehydration.  This is a big lesson for newb runners.

    Half Marathon #2:  Trained smarter, pushed myself a little bit harder (sometimes a bit too much, felt kind of nauseous and had to stop a couple of times) and ran a 2:10.

    I was going to run another Half, but was very very sick not long beforehand and did a 10k at the Valley Harvest Marathon. Because I am a dork and was full of running excitement, I went out too fast and wanted to barf halfway through.  Finished in under an hour and finally said, okay, smarten up.

    I ran a 21k relay the next month, Lucky 7 Relay with a couple of people from work.  I ran my 7km in 38 minutes.  I felt like a ROCK STAR 🙂

    Heading into year 4…


    I was running right up until the “Punta Cana Incident”.  We ran just about every morning around the resort nice and early, with the other runners.  Then I went and fell in the washroom (Yes, the washroom, and yes, I was sober).  This is the “awe man” moment when I was pretty sure I tore my meniscus, but found out I really have a condition called Osteochondritis Dissecans and I am due for surgery in the near future.

    Once I am all “put back together” and travel down my road to recovery, I am getting back to the Half Marathon state and looking for a new PB.  With my new love of yoga and my wiser ways, I am starting my bucket list of races.  Need to kill that 2:10 Half!

    Look out Half Marathon…..cause I am comin’ to get ya…..soon.





  • So, I’ve been RUNNING…..

    Yes….Running!  *HUGE SMILEY FACE EMOTICON*

    My first run…hesitation in that face?  Umm, yes.

    My second run – happy face, lead in the legs 😉

    Two small runs, under 3kms, but RUNNING 🙂  This is a test of patience for me right now, as I have to #1:  listen to my body, and #2: know that this running will only be until the fall when my surgery is scheduled.

    We are just about all settled in our new apartment.  I LOVE IT, it’s quiet and I get this awesome breeze on the balcony…SWEEEEEEEEEEEET.  The kitties have settled in well, although Jax is a scavenger of fluff from a chair…..

    The “fluff” and the finder of the “fluff”

    We (My “Greg” and I) also did some hiking along the trail at Crystal Crescent Beach.

    It was not really sunny when we left, but boy oh boy, the sun came out and it was AWESOME!

    In other spots, there were like a MEGA BEES

    And there were bees, LOTS of bees…

    In some spots, that’s all you could hear….

    Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…..(it was a little freaky for a bit, but they weren’t concerned with us).

    This doesn’t even capture the awesome rockage

    Once we hit the part of the trail they do not maintain (WARNING: there is a nude beach just before this part….so if you take the kids, you’ve been warned…lol), then we hit the rocky part.  Super awesome rocks…we hung out here for a bit.

    How are my legs…how is my knee?

    So with my two runs and my hike, I am definitely feeling it in the leg region.  It’s been about 4 1/2 months since I have run, or done anything really physical with my legs, as I thought I was nursing a meniscus tear.  It feels great though!!  I am listening to my body and walking when necessary.  I need to get on a trail to run soon.  Those two runs were just around my area and with the pavement and downhills, that is causing some pain in the knee for sure.

    I have scheduled in some yoga for tomorrow and Saturday morning on my phone app.  Need my flexibility back!

    So, with My Soxy Feet blazing the trail with my Asics and LunaRacers, I am taking back my running 🙂

    Well, until the Fall anyway!