Ultra Running: Trials of the Trail 

Can’t ignore the clicking and discomfort in left Heel.  Will see the DPM tomorrow to access the damage and talk about options.

How can it be? I tried to launch a running comeback last month as the time is short to begin the real training for the Western States 100. The sad truth is that I am still not recovered. I am on my way to Mexico for a week, this time for pleasure not work. Upon my return I will consult with some physicians again and get a plan in place to heal and train. If this is not handled in the next 4 weeks the possibility of not running next summer is very real and pains me deeply.

and kept indoors for my run. I know I will be on the treadmill all next week because I won’t run alone outside in Argentina. I might as well get used to the grind. The run itself felt fine, I have a blister on my second toe right foot that is causing a bit of trouble. This toe regularly has gnarly blisters and issues, after healing completely during my layoff, I can see I will once again be lancing this toe regularly to drain the fluid. Is that too much information??

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 11/08/2008
• Time: 08:00:00
• Total Time: 00:40:29.00
• Calories: 927
• Distance: 5.1 miles
• Average Pace: 7:56.19/mile

ran around to each kid on the team while they did a moderately hard hill workout.  I have not had any pain in my knee with these simple jogging moments with the team.  I am however still very afraid to test me knee for real.  With confidence I am gaining being out with the kids, maybe I will attempt to put together a few miles in the morning.  I wil also openly admit that I was pretty winded after the short run, amazing what 6 weeks of sideline will do to you VOMax.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 09/08/2008
• Time: 15:00:00
• Total Time: 00:15:00.00
• Distance: 1.5 miles
• Average Pace: 10:00/mile

Well that was sure easy, turning 40 was perfectly uneventful.  I have postponed or hopefully permanently cancelled surgery.  I have not run a step since pulling out of the 50 mile trail championships almost 6 weeks ago.  I will test me my knee later this week, although I am scared to see what will happen. 

My wonderful husband bought the Garmin 405 for my birthday, I can’t wait to test ot out!

Doctor said I could try to trigger the meniscus tear to lock up again to give more insight into the nature of the knee injury.  So I decided to give it try by moving a truckload of mulch to my backyard one bucket at a time.  Since I live on a huge slope there is 20 or so stairs to travel up and down with each load. 

If the  tear in my lateral menisci is not healing, in theory it should be trigger again with this type effort.  So after more than an hour of unloading the mulch, I tested my knee with some deep squats.   No swelling, no pain, no clicking noise, no nothing.  This is good news I think, surgery still on the books but maybe I can have a out here. 

Could be this…… no surgical intervention necessary.  Still scheduled for my birthday cut, but actively seeking more information.  Thanks to everyone for the awesome support either way.

Love this irony….. I am scheduled to have surgery for a meniscus repair on the day I turn 40!  I met with Dr. Mandt today, he has excellent credentials especially for knee injuries.  He has been the team doctor for the US ski team, so I am in very good hands.

His diagnosis is a lateral meniscus tear.  Unfortunately the location of the tear is not in the “normal” place one experiences a tear so a easy clean it up approach is not going to work.  He will need to suture the tear back together which means I am on crutches for 6 -8 weeks.  The good news is the damaged meniscus is in the outer portion, this is the only part that has a decent blood supply so a complete healing is possible.

There is outside chance that since the tear is n the location with blood supply that it may be healing on its own.  I have not run a step since bailing out at mile 27 in my race 17 days ago.  I will work on my recovery and maybe just maybe over the next 21 days enough healing will occur that the surgical option is set aside.

Happy birthday!!! SURPRISE

The knee has been pain free for a week now which is great.  I have not run a single step on it which is a little sad.  A quick review of the MRI by the sports med doc. says no meniscus tear.  Still recommends that I keep my appointment with the orthopod to discuss bone and cartilage. 

I have had a lot of feedback that this forced rest is a good thing and maybe it is.  As the stars aligned I had a huge product evaluation I am managing at my largest hospital account that has kept me there from 7:00am to 10:00pm the last 3 days and will continue over the next 4 at least.  Sleep is barely opti0n much less running.