CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Not enough variety in my running life as well as too many backlogged projects to justify a second blog.

Nothing lasts forever, not even blog closings.

Until then, I'll be back where I started: Write Enough.

Thanks for stopping by, Kiley.

Good Luck Kiley and Kate!

This Monday is Patriot's Day, hence another Boston Marathon. I don't know anyone running this year, but wish all participants well.

Ran a modest three miles today at 1x2 run/walk ratio. No pain, but there's nothing to strengthen or improve. My injury is such that the knee can only deteriorate. If I want to run again, train, race, I'm going to need a procedure.

Tomorrow, Kiley and Kate Freeman tackle a fifty-mile race, winding through the Angeles National Forest. Train, train, train and finally the day comes and you can hardly sleep the night before. Off with you both! Tear it up, guys!

Door Number Two

Today's orthopedist was a young, upbeat guy, totally down with my running. He was confident I could marathon again. My regular ortho had recommended three fixes:

A. Stick a bone plug in the pothole.

B. Bleed a nearby bone in order to grow new cartlidge.

C. Replace the knee.

Today's ortho felt B held the best chance. Pro athletes have utilized this procedure and returned to action. Of course, my age remains a factor, but I feel it's worth a go. My knee would remain immobile for six weeks, then perhaps three months of physical therapy, then three months of light running. I'd be looking at late '09, early '10 before I could train - provided everything worked.

I shall explore further.

Perspective

Skipped my pool workout due to all-encompassing fatigue. Seeing another orthopedist tomorrow. Even if he's a gung-ho guy with a red hot procedure that will get me running in two months, I'd still have to acquire new health care to pay for it.

Saw my friend Dale yesterday. His cancer has spread from the colon to the hip. Right now, he's fighting over whether or not to keep fighting. His intestines have been operated on so many times that his stomach muscles have lost their snap, leaving him a sagging pot belly cross-hatched with scars. I think he'd swap all that for a bum knee any time.

So on to ortho #3.

Two Approaches

Last week Emil ran five back-to-back 5Ks in Carlsbad. He's out running 12 today. That's the spirit! I'll be inside drinking coffee and working with My Darling Wife on switching our health care coverage. (Now that I've finally gotten my MRI.)

On the subject of "spirits," a most Happy Easter!

Just a Reminder

Here's where I want to be:

Headline News

As Kiley tapers for his 50-mile race next week, the local press gave him a shout-out.

Oops

Overdid it yesterday. My knee's been sore all afternoon. Did some core work today. I'll probably chill training-wise over Easter weekend and start back swimming on Monday. 

I downloaded a 5K training schedule. I'm going to convert the workouts into aqua runs and see if that makes aqua running more interesting. I ran "ladders" in the pool the other day and it made the time fly. Maybe there's a maritime marathon I can sign up for.   

This guy has some good aqua running scoop.

Doc Smith Weighs In

Called Dr. Smith about my knee. He recommended an ortho who happens to run. That might help. Doc Smith said there's a procedure that injects fluid into "potholes" much like Dap seals wall cracks. I'll give the new guy a try next week and see what he thinks about Dap. 

Swam today, then ran three miles. A wee bit of tenderness in the knee, but no pain. I ran, then walked whenever I felt, going by feel. It's nice to run even a little.

Not to Brag, But...

According to an article, triathlons lead marathons in sudden deaths. Neither sport is turning into a Killing Field, but triathlons loose a few more, mostly in the swimming department. Marathons, however, lead in slow, painful deaths, mostly after 20 miles. 

Saw Katie, F.J., and Andy over at the Rose Bowl last Saturday. They ran the Pasadena Marathon with all the wind and rain. F.J. thought it a cursed race. At one point, the wind blew down two huge palm fronds that just missed Andy. I told him he had his Palm Sunday a week early. Andy gave a weak laugh and went away.

At least he was safe and didn't add to any statistics.

Sunday Swim/Gym

My own little duathalon. On Sundays I swim a half hour, then do 40-45 minutes on either the stationary bike or elliptical. However the lap pool at my health club usually turns into a mad swim, with elderly people walking up and down the lanes, teens darting in-between regular lap swimmers, and foreigners simply standing in the water up to their waists talking loudly, perhaps discussing light opera or designing cathedrals. I should make an effort to use the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center. They have their own quirky folk, but at least everyone knows the water is for exercise and not a big wet park.

No soreness from Saturday's run. I'll venture another three miles on Thursday.

Forward

I've got feelers out to another orthopedist, I'm researching the injury, and I ran today. Not far or fast, but pain-free. I'll take it slow and let the knee be my guide. 

A lawyer friend of mine knows a pro-basketball referee whose familiar with the sport's clinic all the Lakers use. There's about six degrees of separation in that connection, but mayhap I can obtain a contact to whom I'll send my MRI report and garner some treatment info. 

Sport's docs. I need a sport's doc. When you describe your passion for a sport to a doctor, who then says, 'Can't you do something else?', then you know you're dealing with the wrong guy.

Speaking of sports medicine, there's the most noble Dr. Smith of Pasadena. If nothing else, I should ask him his opinion. 

Trail's End?

Seven months and finally man, MRI and MD met in the same room. To begin - no meniscus tears; ACL, PCL and collateral ligaments were intact. Cruciate ligaments were intact and my patellar facets appeared especially well-preserved.

However I had a focal osteochondral injury or lesion. The doctor called it a "pothole" in my knee, the result of bone erosion. No idea how long it's been there or even if running was the cause. However it's there now. He mentioned three cures, but all would necessitate not running any more. I'm free to run or walk now, but all such activity will continue eroding the pothole. Since I'm not in anything like steady discomfort, the doctor suggested leaving the pothole alone, and, when the pain eventually picked up, selecting from the cure hat trick.

A most curious state. I'm going to have to have a procedure done eventually and so the temptation is to use up the knee while I still can. But I'm sort of numb and need to take time to let all this sink in.

I have no passion for any other sport.