May 12, 2007

I haven't had much to say in this space lately, since I really haven't been running. I've laid off because of a little twing in my left knee. I've decided to cross-train at least until I see a physical therapist whose specialty is runners on May 22. He'll analyze my knee problem, and I expect him to make some recommendations for treatment and prevention of further injury.
Meanwhile, I continue to lift weights and have switched my aerobic activity to swimming. In the weight room I consulted a trainer and she gave me three different activities designed to strengthen my quads, hamstrings and glutes. I already think they've improved things.
I enjoy the swimming, although I find it hard to incorporate it into my training routine when I'm running without pain. This morning I tried "pool running," which proved to be quite a tough workout. The Y has a "river" in which it can create a current. I ran the river, against the current, for a mile and completed the distance in just under 31 minutes. The workout is very much like running up a steep incline for a couple of miles. The difference is there is no pounding on the joints. It was such a good workout that I will try to do it once or twice a week until I'm running regularly again. It wouldn't be such a bad idea to do it even when I am running, but we'll see if I have the discipline to do that when the time comes.
Despite not running, my weight has not yet rebounded much. Matter of fact, after my workout in the pool this morning and two hours of shoveling mulch and wheelbarrowing it around the yard, I weighed in at 165. This despite eating very well on a daily basis. That's a nice, high metabolism at work, I guess. I was about 168 for my marathon.
I gave blood a week after the April 15 marathon, and received my cholesteral measurement in the mail yesterday - 147.