Knee update

I'm out. My first half marathon is not happening. I was diagnosed with "Runner's Knee" compounded by a knee cap this is off center. I have been in physical therapy for two weeks and my right knee still has persistent pain. For now I am building my butt and thigh muscles to give the knee more support. I'm also going to be wearing a brace (for everyday use until persistent pain stops and then just for exercise). No running or hardcore knee use. My new goal is the Columbus half this fall. I may not have squeeked the race in before 4-0, but it's the challenge that matters. Am I disappointed? Sure. But in the grand scheme of things this is a molehill not a mountain.

Crap

I went for my yearly physical today and during the course of explaining what had been happening health wise, my doctor said two words I kind of dread..."peri-menopause". Shit. Really? So soon? It's possible to start this up to around 10 years before hard core menopause hits, but still hearing this at 39 is just not cool. It just means my hormones are starting to flux a bit and that gaining weight (check!) will be a lot easier (%#^+*%!!). Oh yeah, hot flashes might become more frequent. Awesome, eh?

Please don't let it be over before it's even begun

I'm almost 40. I have a few more months of my thirties left, but for all intensive purpose this decade is pretty much behind me. For the most part I feel ok with that. Except for one thing. One of my goals was to run a half marathon before I turned 40. Last fall I almost made the Columbus half, but at 8 miles I didn't feel like I was quite ready. So, with the nudge of my BFF Jen, I signed up for the Vancouver (yes, the Canadian one)half marathon in May. I undertook this endeavor having lost a good chunk of my progress from the fall and carrying several extra pounds thanks to a bit of stress and the holidays. All was going great and I was increasing my mileage on a consistent basis....until. Until last week when I noticed a dull ache in both knees after an outdoor run. I didn't think much of it and ran a 3 miler two days later. I could tell immediately following that run that there was something not quite right. So I took 5 days off and tried another 3 miler the next week. Since then the dull ache has turned in to a pain. It's right above both knee caps and I suspect it might be tendonistis (thank you Dr. Internet). Tomorrow I head to a real doctor to get it checked out. Hardcore training is due to start this Tuesday and I reeeeally hope it's not over before it's even begun.

Technology and the fat finger

One thing I've noticed about iPads and smartphones is that they do not mesh well with clumsy typers. I myself am a clumsy typer, so I can attest to this first hand. Usually I just end up with a spelling error on my blog or a text message that means absolutely nothing due to random words substituted by autocorrect. But this week I took the cake. I recently upgraded my iPad's OS. Unfortunately I did not back anything up (stupid, I know) and ended up losing all of my books, apps and movies. D'oh! So I had to undertake the exercise of reloading, and repaying for, all my favorite apps. It was kind of nice, in a way, because I weeded out a lot I never used. In the process of trying to download one, I fat fingered a different app without realizing it (I was moving fast). The next day I went onto the iPad and noticed there was an app icon in the shape of a real human heart. Hmm, I thought, what the heck is this?!? I opened it to find out that I had accidentally bought an extremely medical and detailed interactive view of the human heart that you can dissect. Uh, ok. Not gonna really use that one. And all for just $29.99!

It's the rose after the thorn that counts

Sometimes I lay with WA as he falls asleep at night. He doesn't require it, but definetly prefers it and I can't help thinking how few years I have left to get such requests. So tonight he asked if I could lay with him and I said yes. I hopped under the covers and snuggled in, my face touching his cheek. I wasn't there but 30 seconds and he starts to chuckle. "What?" I asked him. "Your skin feels funny." was his reply. "Oh yeah?" I said. "Yeah, it feels like an elephant." he declared. "Oh gee thanks!!" I said faining exasperation. "But I don't care about that Mama, I love you and that's what I care about."

Good recovery kid, good recovery (as I slather on night cream...:)).