Discouraged

SO my knee was actually feeling better for a few days. I felt so encouraged the other night because for the first time when I got up off the couch, I didn't feel *any* pain in my knee! I still haven't run except for one time (a sad 1-miler with TWO walk breaks), and figured I would be ready this weekend to go out for a trial 1.5-er. But alas, this morning, I'm getting the kids ready for school and notice my knee is feeling a bit painful...by the time I got to the boys' preschool, I was back to hobbling around like I was the day after my injury! WHY?? It stinks! I want to get out there and run SO badly. I see people running, and I want to cry! I know, things could be MUCH much worse...but I feel so helpless. Since we no longer have a gym membership, I have no other sources of exercise at my fingertips, and I'm just so worried I'm going to lose all the progress I have made. Sigh...

Ugh!

Last Thursday, Amber and I did our long run (it was supposed to be 9 miles, but thanks to my misguided navigation, it was almost 10), and there were a lot of tough hills. Around mile 6 or 7, I noticed my left knee was starting to act up. I really thought it was just my knees being my knees, and that I could keep running. We walked here and there, but it was definitely hurting by the end. I figured after I got home and stretched, I would feel better, and that I just might be a bit sore the next day. Boy was I wrong! I could barely walk the next day, and could not bend my leg. Whatever it is that I did is still there! I haven't had knee pain last this long before--it's been almost a week, and it's still bothering me. I tried to go out for a run yesterday with Amber and Heather, but about a 1/2 mile into it, I knew I wouldn't make it, and had to turn around and go home (thankfully the gals were nice and ran back with me since it was dark!)

This is the first time I feel worried about my knees. I really, REALLY don't want this to be something that keeps me from training. We only have about a month and a half until the 1/2 marathon, and I just can't afford to miss too many runs if I want to do it. I'm taking this week off from running, and am trying to ice when I can and take Ibuprofen. I *hope* it works! I will be so sad if I have to miss next week's runs...I'm feeling a bit discouraged, but I think it's a bit early for that. =)

In other news, I just completed Week 4 of the push-up challenge. Holy cow! I seriously thought I was gonna keel over after my last set. I think I'm going to repeat this week since my form really wasn't what it should have been in my last few sets. I'm also starting the 200 sit-up challenge today. I'm looking forward to it!

If HE can do it...

Ok, this guy is amazing. Running his first 5k at 60 years old, and then at 70 years old, making a goal to run a marathon in each of the 50 states...and at 81, *completing* that goal?! Incredible. If this guy can do it, I sure as heck can, right? I mean, I'm not ready to train for a marathon yet, but when our kids are all in school, and they are a bit more independent, I think this is something I want to tackle. (Only one marathon for me, though...I don't feel a need to do FIFTY.) What an inspiration!!