Rainbows, Running, and Grandkids :)

There is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but I would settle for a good pair of running shoes and magical rainbow dust that cures running injuries. Yep, that would be my pot of gold, my dream to run again which would allow me to run all those bucket list marathons.

Even though it has been cloudy and rainy weather, we have had a few beautiful days here in Alaska where the temps have been in the high 60s, even reaching 70 a couple of times.  Today was one of those days and I so wish I could run. I am still having  pain at the side of my knee when I stand though, so I don’t exactly think that I should run. So, the cure, sign up for a marathon ha ha Isn’t that what injured runners do?

Yep, I signed up for the Mesa Phoenix marathon in February. Fall marathons are out because I don’t even have a base at this point. But this marathon is 36 weeks away. 6 weeks to get back to running, 12 weeks to build the base, and 18 weeks for marathon training. Perfect!! So, phase I – get back to running. Lets hope that can happen in the next 6 weeks! I need a focus, a goal 🙂

I still hope to qualify for Boston one day and the Phoeniz Marathon would be a good race to do just that. I would have my work cut out for me, though, because I have not been running since March. It’s possible. 24.5% of finishers qualified for Boston in 2018. There were 2,225 finishers (source).This marathon is on February 9th, the day before my Mother’s 86th birthday. So, I could run the race and then head out to NC to celebrate a birthday and running another marathon.

Even though I know that I probably shouldn’t run, I thought I would test it to see how things are really doing. So, this past Wednesday was National Running Day and what better way to observe this day than to go running 🙂 First, I went on a good 10-15 minute walk to really warm up. All seemed okay for the most part so I tried running for 20 seconds. And I found out rather quickly that I am not quite there so I didn’t push it.  I really do miss running, but I will run again.

It did feel really good to be out on the trails! One thing that I did notice while out was that my knee did not hurt when I was walking uphill??? I am not sure what that means, but I will be searching for answers.

Interesting enough, I thought my leg was getting better. I mean I actually had long periods throughout the day where it wasn’t that painful. And then after a visit to my Chiropractor, it actually feels worse!??!  I don’t know if it is worse because of something he did or if it is the exercises that is keeping it from healing. Yesterday at work, my knee and leg just ached all day. At times I felt like my leg was just giving out on me. This was happening before my last appointment occasionally, but nothing like now. It is so much more painful.

So, I  researched a physical therapist that treats athletes, runners! Someone that will actually look at my whole body including gait and try to figure out what is going on. Someone that will advise me on corrective exercises and develop an actual plan to get me back to running. Thank-you Wendy @https://www.takinglongwayhome.com/ for that helpful advice. I will see the therapist on the 13th.  I have not done any exercises or stretching for the past 4 days because I am having more pain than before. Something is definitely wrong. If things aren’t getting better in the next week, I think I will have to actually see an orthopedic doctor, and I am sure an MRI will be in my future. I did not have signs or symptoms of a tear originally, but I am not so sure about that now. Time will tell.

In other news, I did get over my cold and finally got to see my little grand baby.

And Miss Maddy playing softball and making bucks selling lemonade..Future business woman 🙂

Sonja finally got a little sleep and is up and about….

Tylor is missing in action this week. He has been spending time with other family that are visiting or with his friend in Palmer. I am going to have to hunt him down so he can be featured in my next post. I have also been keeping busy working on my house in Anchorage. Sonja and her family moved out of it, and so I am taking the time to do much needed repairs and upkeep. Matt came by and mowed the lawn for me. I was so grateful that he did that. I just did not have the time and it needed it so badly. So, I am not sitting at home whining about not being able to run. There is plenty to keep me busy. But, hopefully I will have better running news to share soon.

Happy Running!!