Oh running…how I’ve missed you! If you’re not on Instagram or Strava, you missed that I’ve been testing out my bum knee a little this week.
After meeting a couple times with the physical therapist at SSM, I’ve learned that I won’t do any damage to my knee by trying to run and that’s really all I needed to hear to get the mental clarity I can only get from running outside.
Yes, they’ve been slow. And I’ve definitely lost some of the endurance I had built up I’m at the point of just being grateful that I can revisit the road. And I love feeling that burning desire to run long again! It’s been a while since I’ve been there.
The PT and I have been working not on my knee but on all the muscles and ligaments that support it. Knowing that there’s no tear, the approach we’ve been taking is to try to rule out as many potential causes as possible. At this point we’re looking at trying to answer the question…
Why is my left hamstring doing all the work?
Turns out my left glute isn’t firing all the time either. So there’s that too. She also recommended we look at my stride to see what’s happening…luckily they have a PT that specializes in run form. So the plan is to take some video and get some feedback on what I’m pretty sure I’m gonna hear…that my form sucks.
Did you know you have two hamstrings?
Yeah, I’m learning about a lot about my lower half. 🙂
I also learned I was doing bridge exercises a little wrong as a result of all the wonkiness of my lower half. I was engaging my hamstrings as the primary muscle group that powers up my hips…after doing the exercises with my PT, I learned that I need to be making my glutes to the majority of the work.
I could definitely feel the difference and by practicing it, I’m hoping I can strength my glutes and get them to take some of the pressure off my hamstrings.
Well anyway, I’ll just be here counting down the minutes till the next run…
How’s your winter training going?
My winter training has come to a screeching halt. I visited a doctor about knee pain and swelling and he feels it’s a torn meniscus. My insurance program won’t allow an MRI until other treatments have failed.
Glad to see that you’re able to get out there. Sometimes just being able to run is a big mental win! I am just getting over a cold which hit me pretty rough this week. It’s clearing up just in time for my 10k tomorrow! My goal this winter is to just keep moving and I think I’m doing pretty well
Virjinia recently posted…Never Have I Ever…Running Edition