New Year's Resolution in April

My knees hurt and I have nobody to blame but myself.

It started last year when I was training for the MS 3-Day Walk. Sure, 50 miles is a long distance, but I figured, hey, I've been running/stairclimbing/step-aerobicizing for years without an injury. How much damage could walking possibly do?

A lot, it turns out. Besides the monstrous blisters that required socks made of duct-tape, the excursion kicked off a chain reaction of events inside my knees that left walking down stairs hurt. I mimicked an expectant mother as I eased into chairs; crouching in a catcher's position was out of the question.

So, after a P.T. diagnosed me with "the tightest kneecaps ever" (a result of years of treating stretching like telemarketers--something to avoid at all costs), she taught me exercises which helped loosen my knees and ease the pain. Which brings me to this post. I was doing my stretches pretty regularly but, like so many things in life, once the pain started to ease up, so did my hard work. I took advantage of my knees over the winter, working out sans stretching, and now my laziness is biting me in the butt. I woke up this a.m. and my kneesies were crying out in pain as I tried to rise and shine. A few ibuprofen helped and tonight, I spent a good 20 minutes stretching at the gym.

The takeaway message in all of this? It's easy to take things for granted...whether it's a healthy relationship, an awesome job, or, in my case, working knees. We (OK, I) often get so wrapped up in the everyday stress of life that we let things we deem not-so-crucial fall by the wayside. So I'm making a New Year's resolution this April: to start stretching my knees everyday. It's never too late to commit to something, especially when our well-being depends on it. Does anyone want to join me? Is there a habit you've been trying to break but need a push? Or a move to better your health or family that you've been putting off? Maybe if we put it out here for everyone to read, we'll be more committed. Feel free to check in on me!

April 19, 2007 at 01:01am | Permalink | Comments (6)

Comments

Doesn't yoga count as stretching? I usually just do a few of the leg-stretching positions (like downward dog -- my favorite!) before I go running or walking. I hope I'm not messing up my knees.

I definitely agree with taking things for granted. I never really thought much about my job -- until I found out I might be transferred to a different location! All of a sudden I realize I like where I work and the people I work with. Luckily it looks like I will stay put, but now I try to be more appreciative of my job.

I hope everyone has a happy day!

Posted by Nikki on April 19 at 08:52am

There is a good knee workout/stretching routines in Runner's World. I bet you could find them on-line.

Posted by Katie on April 19 at 10:38am

I am so glad I have ladies like you to remind me of things that sail past me head. Yes, Nikki, yoga!! I do take a power yoga class once a week and the stretching is unreal. And Katie, talk about taking things for granted - I frigging WRITE for Runner's World...I guess I just get so caught up in my nutrition stories that I don't absorb the other info as well. I'm going to take your advice and go look up some stretches in my most recent issue.

Have a beautiful day!

Posted by Leslie on April 19 at 01:10pm

Leslie!! I so needed this kick in the butt. I noticed how tight my ITB was today and I realized that I have been running for months and not stretching nearly enough :( I got out the foam roller today after reading this and stretched out my legs.

Posted by bridget on April 19 at 06:08pm

Leslie, on New Years I resolved to run a half marathon in October. As of yet, training had been minimal - waiting for the good weather to come back- and I hadn't really thought about it. But today I registered. So I'm doing it. even if for no other reason than I paid for it so I better get my moneys worth - which counts for alot when you are a student.

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Posted by Philip on April 24 at 07:43pm