Fitness Friday

Yesterday I found out the results of my MRI on my right knee. Good thing is...no tears...no need for surgery or anything like that, but I still have some inflammation resulting from IT Band Syndrome. I'm now taking an anti-inflammatory to help with the pain.

The doctor said I could attempt a run if I wanted to, but I needed to be aware of my body & any pain...to stop immediately. So I struck out a little before 6:30 this morning, with my leg all taped up by the PT at the doctor's office. I was so hoping the run would go well...that I'd at least maybe...just maybe get a mile in before pain...NO SUCH LUCK! I made it 5 minutes, then the grinding started. I walked a little & tried some stretches and mobilizations the PT showed me, then started back up...didn't last long. Frustrated...I headed back home with my tail tucked between my legs so to speak.

I was aggravated...mad! I don't like being told I can't do something...even if it is my body telling me that. I figured since I was already in workout gear, I'd pull out the ol' Schwinn and go for a ride. I went for a 30 minute ride all around the neighborhood. Passed some of the same little, old ladies out walking several times...they just laughed. Had to dodge geese that were all in the street near the pond. It was a nice little ride...worked out a little frustration.

**This song comes to mind every time I pull the bike out now.





Once I returned home, I could tell my knee was a little aggravated so I iced it down. Then pretty much just laid around the house for the day...with some cleaning here & there. I had every intention of going to the gym for a leg workout, but didn't figure I needed to push it. There's always tomorrow for THAT!

Later on, I finally had enough of being lazy so I did P90X Ab RipperX.

**I noticed the video was backwards, but you get the idea.

 

 Then I did 30 minutes of 10 Minute Solution: Yoga. I did Yoga Basics, Buns & Thighs, and Flexibility. Here's a preview:

 



 

 After doing yoga, I did all my ITBS exercises & hamstring stretches (**See previous post Some things I've learned with having IT Band Syndrome).

 

 

That's pretty much my day in a nutshell. How did you spend Fitness Friday?

 











Some things I've learned with having IT Band Syndrome

Mine has been a slow recovery in the running department.  The pain has subsided in daily activities, it's just when I attempt to run. This has been the most frustrating part..I'm off work for the Summer & I so badly want to RUN! I'm itching to run!

I had an MRI done on Monday and returned to my Orthopedic doctor yesterday for the results. I was hoping for better news like "You're free & clear to run like you normally do!", but unfortunately that wasn't the case. On a positive note, my MRI showed no tears, but it did show that I still had some inflammation on the outside of my knee. The doctor started me on an anti-inflammatory to help with the pain. He told me I could attempt to run, but I needed to listen to my body & not push through the pain...if it hurt, I needed to walk. He even told me that I may have to start with a Couch to 5k program once the pain subsides. This frustrates me more than you know...knowing how far I've come...2 half-marathons & a 10-miler! Such is the life of a runner.

Anyhow, the doctor sent me downstairs to their Physical Therapy department. The PT that worked with me, had me run on the treadmill while he videoed (keep in mind this was the 1st attempt at running in 2 weeks). He told me that my gait looked fine & my pelvis wasn't dropping. The only thing he really noticed was that I wasn't getting full range of motion with my right leg, which is the one that's injured.

The PT also checked my flexibility & discovered my hamstrings were really tight. So he showed me some stretching exercises I could do to loosen up my hamstrings. He also showed me a few other stretches & strengthening exercises I need to be doing. For the most part, he told me I was heading in the right direction with all the exercises I'm doing. So I will continue to be diligent with them.

So I'd like to share some of the things I've learned along the way:

• invest in a foam roller (luckily I have 2 different kinds...I prefer the "Y" roller)
• you need to do some form of cross-training (I love yoga & pilates, I've discovered that cycling doesn't bother my knee, and swimming...though haven't gotten to do much since pool just cleared up & water is VERY chilly)
• strength training is a MUST (this is where my problem stems from): hips (the one emphasized most by PT), glutes, & quads
• hamstring stretches wouldn't hurt
• PATIENCE (funny...you'd think being a teacher I'd have all the patience in the world)

One of the strengthening exercises I learned in PT was Cumerford Hip Progressions aka Clamshells & Reverse Clamshells. In the following video Chris Johnson PT (recommended videos by PT I saw yesterday), only shows regular clamshells. The reverse clamshells are done with the band around your ankles, keeping your knees together you lift your top foot.

**I do 30 reps of reg. clams & hold for 5 seconds. You don't hold the reverse clams.

 

 

I do a lot of the exercises from the following video, as well. Here's the full page with explanation (http://strengthrunning.com/2011/02/the-itb-rehab-routine-video-demonstration/).



 

 

Four Point IT Band Stretch: This was one introduced to me yesterday. I'll have to do this one at the gym since I don't have a bench to do it on.

 

 

Tight hamstrings? Here's a great  10 minute hamstring stretching video from Runner's World (http://www.runnersworld.com/stretching/10-minute-hamstring-stretch-routine). **#5 The Strap Series was recommended by the PT yesterday.

 

Here's another great page from Runner's World about ITBS with videos for foam rolling & strengthening exercises (http://www.runnersworld.com/tag/itbs).

 

 







To sum it up...I was only able to do a 5 minute run this morning...it's progress, but it's SLOW! I still do all my exercises R-E-L-I-G-I-O-U-S-L-Y!