Glu-Co-So-AWESOME!!!

Sorry it's been a while since my last post.  For the past few weeks, I have been focused on healing my knees and trying to get back on pace to where I was in mid-December.  I truly can't believe it and hate to admit that I was actually over training in December.  Everyone has told me to start slow and to not over train, and I would have bet my salary that I wasn't over training.

Back in December, a couple of runs ended up a little longer than planned or perhaps even a little hillier than I would have liked.  On some days, I planned for a 4 mile run, but ended up doing 5 because I felt good and didn't feel tired.  My philosophy was:  If I feel good and feel like I can run further, then run further.  I have since learned that this probably isn't the best practice.

My "runner's knee" has been a real thorn in my side.  I have since reduced my mileage considerably, back to 2, 3, and 4 mile runs.  It has been disappointing, depressing and discouraging.  But fortunately for me, I am finally seeing some improvement and hope to get some more long runs in next week.

MMM...if it only it had some Codine, too!

Stefhan suggested Glucosamine and I have now been taking 1500 mg, or 2 tbsp daily.  This is to help heal and restore the cartilage in my knee and produce healthier joints.  I have been taking if for about two and a half weeks now, and I really do believe that the improvement on the "knee" front can be attributed to the Glucosamine.  I'm taking the liquid form (which tastes like cough medicine) rather than the pill form because 1) it is absorbed faster into the system and 2) the regular Glucosamine pills are the size of horse pills...no thank you!  

I've also been running in an inexpensive Mueller knee brace that supposedly helps the knee cap track properly.  I'm not sure if it really helps all that much.  I think all it really does is prolong the time before the knee pain actually manifests itself.  Regardless, I wear it anyways, take my Glucosamine, and keep my runs shorter than my brain tells me and that seems to be working so far.

I suggest to anyone running to take the Glucosamine supplement since it's so good for your joints, even if you're not having any joint pain.  I would especially suggest that for female runners since we are more susceptible to acquire knee pain.

That's about it for now!  Thanks for reading!

I Shed a Few Tears

This is my brother's friend, Tyler Willingham.  I don't know Tyler, however the fact that he completed this amazing race tells me a lot about Tyler's character.  Not only did he finish an Ironman race, but try to find a picture of Tyler where he is not smiling.  I definitely had a few tears while watching this video, simply for how beautiful it is. 

The video has inspired me to keep pushing and training.  I am still trying to train through my knee issues, without pushing too hard and causing any serious injury.  

I am so excited to run the marathon with Brian and cross the finish line.  I hope I'm as smiley as Tyler :)

I wish I could upload the video into this blog, but it had some problems uploading.  Please click the link instead.  The video is pretty short, probably only 7 minutes or so and it'll get you revved up!

CLICK IT!

There's Something in the Air

The air quality in SLC has worsened, yet again.  I refuse to acquire another nasty cough like I did the last time I ran in the dirty air, so I ran inside on the treadmill at the gym. My knee felt alright, although not great.  It seems to be improving ever so slowly.