Eat Drink Run Woman

So I just got back from my physical therapist appointment.  After all sorts of poking and prodding (and having my hips moved this way and that), it’s obvious I need to work on some major strength training.  My problem areas?  I seem to be weakest in the muscles worked by the exercises I avoid (specifically, the hip rotation).  Although I’m a blonde, even I can see the correlation.  🙂

I first started going to my PT after experiencing patellofemoral pain syndrome (pain under the kneecap).  It’s common among woman and is usually attributed to under-developed quad and hamstring muscles (when those muscles are under-developed they tend to cause the patella to track incorrectly, resulting in pain).  She gave me several exercises to strengthen the surrounding muscles; although I would do a few,  I certainly wasn’t consistent.  I pretty much stopped doing the exercises once the pain stopped.

Now the pain has returned, but in a different area.  Although it’s frustrating to have to give up running for a while (at least two weeks, she’s recommending), it comes at a good time.  I’ve said I was going to see how my body reacted to increased training, and considering the reaction has been “OW OW OW OW OW” it tells me a lot about what I need  to do.  On one hand I’m concerned about not being able to do any running given I’m training for Disney, but I’m also confident I can finish that race even if I have to take a few weeks off.  I’ll just need to concentrate on water running and/or biking — two exercises that won’t aggravate the injury.

I’d like to end by thanking everyone for your advice and support.  You keep me motivated to be the best I can be!