Sun, Dec 15-Sat, Dec 21 - Back on the shelf

Sun Dec 15: AM. A 2 hour run on the Capital City Trail, the Wingra Creek Path and around Lake Wingra. The right knee became a little irritated towards the end, felt good otherwise. It was foggy and in the mid 30s.

Mon Dec 16 - DNR - Injured - The right knee has become very painful. Hurts to walk or just bend it.

Tues Dec 17 - DNR - Injured

Wed Dec 18 - DNR - Injured

Thurs Dec 19 - DNR - Injured

Fri Dec 20 - DNR - Injured

Sat Dec 21 - DNR - Injured

I got a nice little taste of running last week and I thought I was out of the woods. On Sunday, I ran two hours and felt pretty good for most of it. The right knee started bugging me a little towards the end, but I didn’t think much of it. The knee progressively got worse throughout the day and by Monday it was painful just walking on it. All week, the knee has continued to be sore and achy. Arrrggg. Back to being an injured elf on the shelf. Just like last December. In the meantime, I’ve been jamming out to this:

The Three Wise Men - Countdown to Christmas Party Time:

Sun, Dec 8-Sat, Dec 14 - Back In Action

Sun Dec 8: AM. A 10 min run over residential streets. The right knee wasn’t too bad while running, but it got a little irritated afterwards. It was partly sunny and in the mid 30s.

Mon Dec 9: AM. A 20 min run on the Capital City Trail. The knee was OK. It was dark and in the mid 40s.

Tues Dec 10: AM. A 30 min run on the Capital City Trail. No problems with the knees. It was dark and 30°.

Wed Dec 11: AM. Ran about 5 miles with the pastry club over residential streets. It was dark and 26°. PM. A 62 min run on the Capital City Trail and SW Path. It was dark and 15°.

Thurs Dec 12: AM. A 55 min run on the Capital City Trail and over trails in Olin Park. The sun was rising over clear skies, temp of -1°. Knees were fine during run, but left knee became a little sore afterwards.

Fri Dec 13: AM. A 45 min run on the Capital City Trail and over residential streets. The sun was rising over clear skies with a temp of 0°. PM. A 45 min run over residential streets and on the Capital City Trail. It was dark and 17°.

Sat Dec 14: AM. A 65 min run on the Capital City Trail and over trails in Olin Park. It was cloudy and in the upper 20s.

I’ve been feeling beat and out of shape the past few days from the time off. My left knee doesn’t bother me at all when running, but tends to get sore afterwards (maybe the cartilage under the kneecap is inflamed?) Hopefully it’s something that will heal itself. Mostly, I’m just happy to be able to run again.

Sun, Dec 1-Sat, Dec 7

Sun Dec 1: AM. In Marshfield, A 35 min run in the Donnelly Business Park. Both knees were achy, but they didn’t seem to get any worse. It was 11° and snowing.

Mon Dec 2: AM. A 15 min run over residential streets. Right knee is bothering me. I’m suspecting there’s a small fracture or a slight tear in the ligament. Might be on the shelf for a bit longer.

Tues Dec 3 - DNR - Injured

Wed Dec 4 - DNR - Injured

Thurs Dec 5 - DNR - Injured

Fri Dec 6 - DNR - Injured

Sat Dec 7 - DNR - Injured

When I ran this past Sunday, the knees didn’t feel all that terrible and I thought I might be out of the woods. The next day, however, it was much worse. Running only a couple steps or doing squats causes my right knee pain. I’ve been doing quite a bit of walking, as walking doesn’t seem to bother the knee as much. I’ve also been doing leg lifts like crazy, playing the piano everyday, eating foods that are high in calcium like cheese and milk (to strengthen my bones in the case there’s a fracture), and trying to learn how to juggle.

Sun, Nov 24-Sat, Nov 30 - Yikes

Sun Nov 24: PM. On the track, did a 2 mile, then 2x1 mile (11:20, 5:38, 5:38) + striders at Griese Park. It was cloudy and in the upper 30s.

Mon Nov 25: AM. Ran for about 10 mins before nearly getting killed by a car that blew through a red light. It was dark and foggy and I’m pretty sure the car didn’t even have its lights on. All I remember is feeling the back of my head slam into the pavement then seeing stars. I think I ran into the side of the car. At least it wasn’t the other way around or I’d be a pancake. Got a nasty case of road rash, a possible patellar fracture and probably a concussion. Did a slow, painful limp home and treated the wounds. Just a little bit worse for the wear.

Tues Nov 26 - DNR - Injured

Wed Nov 27 - DNR - Injured

Thurs Nov 28 - DNR - Injured - Was looking forward to racing the Birdie Derby 10k (formerly the Berbee Derby 10k), but no chance of that happening—knees are still pretty painful.

Fri Nov 29 - DNR - Injured

Sat Nov 30 - DNR - Injured - New skin is starting to grow back on the knees. Might do a test run tomorrow.

Oh jeez, my knees