PT once again

I posted Body aches a few weeks ago. I decided against the chiropractor for now and instead sought out an orthopedist. I figured it would be good to have one here since it seems to be inevitable I will have a type of musculoskeletal problem at some point. Because I tend to be really picky and choosy about who I see, I read a lot of different bios and ratings. Do other people do this as well? It was interesting because at times, one doctor had an excellent rating on one site but awful on the other. I don't completely rely on these things as they are subjective, but they do give some kind of insight.

I wound up going with a youngish bald-headed dr. who also happened to be a long distance runner. The appt. was yesterday. Overall, his ratings were spot on, and he seemed both nice and informative. He did an initial physical exam. We noticed my left side was considerably tighter than my right. We took x-rays of my left knee, left hip, and back to be on the safe side. Nothing was overtly apparent except gas! That was really embarrassing as I have no clue how or why that showed up other than my meal schedule was off that day.

Anyway, he is thinking it is illiotibial band syndrome. I looked into this previously, but I didn't think I really fit all the symptoms. He recommended a round of 6-8 weeks of physical therapy. In the past, I have found physical therapy to be helpful, but I dread the cost. My insurance sucks and will only cover about $300-$400, the rest is out of pocket. And the only way I can do this with my work schedule is on my lunch hour. My neighbor has agreed to let my dogs out that day, so I feel grateful for that.

If I do not feel better, my symptoms persist, then we'll look at further testing and treatment. There is no reason at this point but to treat it conservatively. There were a few things the Dr. said that rang true: 1) Starting to run will only make you tighter. Thus, it is good to get a handle on this now. 2) IT band syndrome can be a sticky and difficult ailment to treat 3) He said he had many patients who come in and say they tried to heal themselves on their own by reading on the internet how to do IT band stretches, but yet, they are not better and still seeing him!

I actually think this might be good, because ironically it gives me another human connection. I know it sounds odd phrasing it that way, but right now, I have little to none during my work week. At my last physical therapy place, my pt S. and I became good friends. It was fun getting to know her on a personal level as well as helping her out with her dogs.

I remember during one session, I was doing a difficult exercise, and she was timing me. Well, she forgot to tell me when to stop, and I yelled out, "I think it's been like over a minute now." We had funny similar moments like that where we'd laugh and joke around, but at the same time, she pushed me too to higher standards in those sessions and proved to be the best pt I have ever had. We have thus maintained our friendship and continue to e-mail each other. The others in the office were great too, and they all got a chance to know me.

Overall, I am hopeful this will help. I *think* I'm in more pain than I often admit to myself both physically and emotionally, so it's time to do something about it.

Just some rambling

Monday and Tuesday were good days overall. I went into town on Monday and ran a few errands. I got a new aquatic belt. I tried it out that evening after I did some biking. One thing I'm reminded of about gym type places is why I have never liked them. It's that whole self conscious factor. Though logically, I know people are doing their own thing, I still somehow think they are watching me or thinking about why that girl is pedaling so fast or on some piece of exercise equipment too long, etc. I think it was also ironic, because they had the food network set on one of the tvs.

The bike went well overall, and I had a good workout. I'm still unsure of what constitutes high mileage. I tried the vertical stationary bike instead of the reclining one. It was more comfortable, but my butt was sore afterwards. After that, I headed to the pool to try the new water belt. I was not sure how it would go. First, I have major issues with being in any type of swimsuit, though I can at least seem appear more normal in a one piece. I tried hard not to focus on that, realizing that once I was in the pool, it's not like people would be seeing my bathing suit. The other thing I was worried about was getting bored. However, that didn't happen since apparently the local high school's swim team was practicing. It ended up being a bit loud, but I just concentrated on what I was doing. I'm not sure if I did it correctly. I know the basic concept is to mimic how you run on land, but still, it's tougher since you have resistancy with water. It is a good workout, nonetheless, and I think I'll probably be doing more of that.

Tuesday was an absolutely beautiful day here. It was such a welcome break from all the rain. I had a PT appointment in the morning. That went well overall, and I did ask for her to give me some guidelines in terms of running mileage. She gave me some leeway, so I'm trying hard to stick by those numbers, although it feels like nothing. Because yesterday was such a gorgeous day, I couldn't resist passing up a rub. I know there won't be many if any of 60+ degree weather going into the winter season. My run went really well. It was interesting, because it felt different. I don't know if it was from being in the pool or what, but it just felt more fluid.

After I got home and expected to just retire for the evening, three of the four of my landlord's horses were in my driveway. I soon figured out the gate to the back fell down. This is where you definitely have to think on your feet. Though I've met these horses, I could not for the life of me remember their names--something to do with star and blazing. Anyway, two of the three are skittish, so that did not help matters.

I quickly ran into my place and grabbed some carrots, apples and a dog leash. I guess it was a good thing I had those carrots and apples. None of them had halters, so the one who wasn't as skittish, I was able to put my dog leash on and lead him to the back. However, he then decided to halt. Pulling on him wasn't going to do anything. I finally got him to go in by moving the gate a bit, so she could go around. The other two who did follow this horse but were reluctant in everything else. So I had to do some big time luring with apples and carrots. I eventually got both of them to go to the back and put the gate back up. So far, they have stayed there, and when I got home at noon, they were all hanging out by the gate. Probably looking for my food or something. Anyway, that was quite a surprise.

Another cool surprise the other night was that I saw a baby owl. I literally almost ran over it leaving work. I checked to see if it was okay, and then flew away. I had never seen an owl like that close up without it being for some educational purpose, that was very neat.

Well, I'm hoping the rest of the week will be uneventful. I still need to shop or at least get some ideas of things to get people. I just feel very blaise about Christmas this year.

Rain, rain, and more rain

I don't mind a little rain and yes, over the summer we definitely needed it. However, I can only stand about two consecutive days of rain before I just about scream. It wouldn't be so bad if things just got wet and could easily be dried off. It's the mud I can't stand, especially having to dry off my dogs every time they come in and out of the rain. They are good about it, but it wears on them as well. I noticed that parts of my yard are also becoming mud puddles. Hay and rocks only last for so long until they become impounded into the ground by my yours truly dogs who decide to create even more craters.

Heavy rain also disturbs my running outdoor schedule, although I have run in pouring down rain, usually, it's that I get caught in it more than I deliberately go out in it. You'd be amazed too at how many dogs are actually out in the heavy rain. I feel quite sorry for them.

Despite the rain, the rest of the weekend has been okay, kind of uneventful really. I joined a center here in town that is part of the parks and recreation. It's like a YMCA. There are a number of classes there, a weight/fitness room, a pool, basketball courts, a small walking track, etc. I figure I'd try 20 sessions and see what I thought before committing to anything else. Even though I'm into exercise, I have never been what I'd call a "gym junkie." I'm just not the type to drive somewhere to go workout (well, I think there are some other issues too), however, I figured that this might be a good alternative to when the weather is crappy. Plus, I got the okay from my physical therapist about aquatic therapy. Her face just lit up when I asked her about it. She essentially said that the amount I was running (even though I do not perceive this as a lot), was in her words "killing my hamstring." It was so obvious she wanted to say something to me, and I pointed this out to her. However, she understood telling a runner to stop was pretty difficult since she, herself, was a runner.

I'm hoping today to go into town and see about an aquatic belt. I'd really like to try this whole running in water thing. I'm still a little unsure about it and wish I had some kind of manual. It shouldn't take rocket science to figure out, right? I'll let you know how it goes.

This week, in general, is going to be a little longer for me. Although I don't mind working more and I agreed to it, I am just a little more limited in the evenings. Seeing that I am way behind on Christmas shopping, it's not helpful. I seem to be having a more difficult time in thinking of neat things to get people. Nothing that is major, but more unique. And there's only like what two weeks left! It's kind of scary to think about honestly.

Well better get off to start my day.

Today, I had my second physical therapy appointment. The first thing I did was show her a picture of the dog bite bruise. I figured you can say so much but a picture gives it more justice. After seeing it, she could tell how it definitely caused some damage.

After that, my PT asked how my hamstring was and whether I went running this week, how much, and whether I was planning to run this weekend. I was honest with her. I did scale back a little, however, the look on her face said she was disappointed. Or maybe it wasn't disappointment but rather just being unhappy with me. I told her I hoped she wasn't going to say I couldn't run. She said that she wasn't but never really finished the thought. Darn, my feelings of doing everything else right kind of went out the door. I had been very vigilant about doing all my pt exercises, stretching a lot, icing, etc. this week.

I did some exercises today and had someone do deep tissue massage. My PT asked how I felt afterwards. Nothing really changed. I felt the same, my leg still hurt, etc. All I said was I was a little sore, but I'd get a better idea after doing things. Apparently, my PT had planned to do a lot more things today but since I was so sore, she decided to just keep everything the same. My next appointment is on Tuesday and Thursday next week.

This got me thinking. I feel really conflicted. Part of me knows there is always a chance of completely tearing or rupturing the hamstring. However, another part of me still wants to run my usual amount of mileage. I've been in positions like this before. It's not easy. I usually push myself to the breaking point. I know my pain tolerance is high, so it's easy to just keep pushing ahead.

I think this is also tied into eating. Running gives me a sense of "control" in a way. I don't know if it is that when I run, it's okay for me to eat or it just feels more on schedule or what. I know I don't need to "earn" food, I deserve it, but by exercising, I just feel like I'm not thinking about it so much. I know this is all warped. I need to let go of this feeling. I'm just not sure how right now.