One week in

Today was my third real physical therapy session, and I think they're going pretty well. We've been warming up with some time on the bike (8 minutes Monday, 10 minutes Tuesday and today), and usually go on to stretches and some basic quad-strengthening exercises. Today, I got a special treat. After those exercises, I got to go on the elliptical machine for 10 minutes to see how things are going!

The verdict: pretty well. I didn't have much pain while I was on the machine (for 10 minutes), and any pain I did have went away pretty quickly afterwards. However, a little while later, my knee is definitely a little sore. At this point, I'm not really sure if it's due to the meniscus or the workout, but I'm going to make sure to mention it to the PT on Monday when I go back.

But I got to do something almost, but not quite, entirely unlike running. Hooray!

Ready for Recovery

It's been a while since posting. I'm not going to go into the full reasons why now (if ever), but there was a lot going on with me in the last couple months. So, the quick version is this:

1. Torn right lateral meniscus. That's why I had to stop running.
2. MRIs suck. Luckily, you can get them scheduled pretty quickly when you need them.
3. Unfortunately, the sports doctor is not the same way. He's really good... it just took literally *weeks* before I could get in to see him after getting the MRI done.
4. yadda yadda yadda
5. I actually did walk two 5k's in that time frame -- the Race for the Cure and the Disney Family 5K at the marathon weekend. Unfortunately, no luck doing the half... :(
   
6. I started my physical therapy today!

Yes, it's true -- I'm staring physical therapy in the hopes that I won't have to have surgery on my knee. The injury itself doesn't seem to be that bad. It really doesn't bother me on a daily basis, maybe occasionally flaring up when I'm going up stairs. So we're trying to work on my quadriceps and see if I can get things balanced out properly. Today was my first session, so they gave me some excercises to do at home, and I'll get into it in earnest next Monday.

Woo hoo!!!

Now, this weekend, off to Tampa and the Gasparilla Pirate Festival!!!!

(Yes, I said pirate festival. Quiver with your jealousy.)