FRUSTRATION

I am SO frustrated... we did our 6 mile run- easy. Next was our 7 mile run which wasn't too bad except the day before my knee started bothering me. I wasn't going to let it stop me though and headed out for my run. My knee didn't bother me too much and I was able to complete it. However, by the following Monday my knee hurt pretty badly. I went out for a 3 mile run that evening and just couldn't do it, ended up walking most of it. By the end of the 3 miles, not only did my knee hurt but I had a shooting pain down my whole left leg. I decided to cross train for the rest of the week and did the elliptical for the same amount of time as I would run. I felt like I still got a pretty good cardio work out and I would increase the resistance and work my legs out too. I didn't seem to bother my leg and I felt strong enough to attempt my long run on the next Saturday. I headed out and did pretty well. I stopped a few times and walked for a few minutes but overall felt really, really good about my 8 mile run. I considered it a great success. By Sunday afternoon, my whole leg felt pretty tight, a little swollen and a lot of pressure around my knee.
Rick talked to a guy he works with who asked how well I was stretching out afterwards. He said he had a similar problem several years ago and found out he wasn't stretching good enough and also needed to build his core strength more. Imagine that? I have been a lot more diligent with stretching and found that my knee pain goes away if I stretch out the right areas. It's amazing! However, the problem I am facing now is that I just can't seem to stay stretched out. As soon as I stretch out, the pain leaves, I feel good but I can feel my leg tighten right back up very quickly and then all the pain comes right back! Once again Amanda has shown me what a blessing it is to have her as my training partner. She has this incredible talent of knowing how to find stressed muscles and massaging them out. She went right to the spot in my leg and within seconds had found some tension and massaged it away. My leg felt better than it had in days within seconds. Now if I could only make it last.

I am so,so, so frustrated!!!! I haven't been able to complete one single run this week. I have done my mileage but most of it has been walking. When I am on the treadmill I can only run a lap and then walk a lap. Tomorrow I am supposed to do my first 10 mile run. Between my leg and he snowflakes falling from the sky, I am feeling very discouraged. I think I will start shopping around for a sports medicine Doctor.... I must find help. I will NOT give up, even if it means I walk the whole darn marathon- I am going to do it! I will be very sad if I can't run it. Please say a prayer and send any advice you have my way!!!!!

On a happier note, Manda is doing amazing. I have assured her that I want her to keep going and not stop and walk with me when I have to. Her time is decreasing with each run and she is thriving. She is getting stronger and stronger and it is really impressive. If we could just figure out how to get her to stop losing weight while training I would be even happier. I keep forcing chocolate milk and everything that I can't have down her and she keeps losing... why can't we share some of the same struggles? LOL