The Bad: Knee Pain. The Good: Henry’s Blend

On Sunday I tried running outside for the second time. I wasn’t feeling so great as it was day 4 of my 5 day medical test, but I really wanted to do it. It was a beautiful day and lots of people were outside. I went to Transfigure but I didn’t get any cardio in and I hate being inside a gym on a gorgeous day.

Mistake – Eating chips as my mid-day snack.

The run started out pretty good. I was going very slow, but I was going. But then I got very thirsty. I could taste the salt from the chips. I am not even a salt lover. But I had seen that Dirty makes Sweet Potato Chips now, and I bought a bag earlier in the week. I was eager to try them, and I was hungry, and they are quick and easy –  which led to the decision to eat them. While I am a Popchip devotee, I must say that I enjoy the fact that Dirty makes two flavors that I hope Popchips will make one day – Honey Mustard and Sweet Potato.

So during my run I was plagued with thirst and had to stop at every water fountain I ran by. Keep in mind it was 90 degrees out.

I had to walk a couple times, which is no big deal. I know that is part of beginning to run. But I think running might be particularly difficult for me for some reason. I wore my HRM and when I looked, towards the end of my run, it was at 193. I wasn’t running fast at ALL — I was  going very slowly. I know I need to practice and get better, but that leads me to my next problem.

Pains!

I have had knee problems for years. When they started, it would be an intense, sharp pain on the outside of my left knee when I walked down stairs or downhill. It got to the point where I couldn’t go on stairs at all, and the people behind me trying to get down into the subway were probably very annoyed. I had gone to an orthopedist and he did an x-ray and it was normal. He diagnosed me with patella femoral syndrome and explained that my legs were very weak and couldn’t support my body, which in turn put all the pressure on my knees. He sent me off to Physical Therapy to get stronger.

The pains went away on their own but every now and then would return. It primarily happened in my left knee, but my right knee began having the same symptoms as well. Last year the pain became particularly bad. It reached the point where sitting hurt because my knees were bent. I went to another orthopedist.

He gave me the same diagnosis and sent me, once again, to Physical Therapy.

The problem is, the pain isn’t constant and physical therapists have a hard time focusing on what to do when they can’t recreate the pain. So that didn’t last long. I figured I would just deal with it; sometimes I get pains in my knee. The pains go away.

And then I decided to get into running.

For my first few treadmill runs, I was fine. Then one day I did a 45 minute run and during the last 15 minutes I felt the old pain come back. I should have stopped running, but I didn’t. I won’t make that mistake again, but it happened. My knee hurt for a couple days after that and I decided to order the knee sleeves that Caitlin uses. I figured they would hold my patella in place and hopefully my knees wouldn’t bother me too much during and after eksusize.

I have been using them pretty religiously since I got them. I don’t use the one on the right as much, only for running, while I use the left for pretty much everything, including my Transfigure/Core Fusion/Physique 57 classes. I make a point not to squat or lunge far during those classes as those moves also bring on the pain.

On Sunday, midway during my run, I began to experience the same (NOT knee) pain as during my last run. It is on the outside of my upper thigh, right below my hip. It only happens on the right side, but it happened all 3 times I tried to run (the first time, which I don’t really count, was cut short right away specifically because of this pain). The pain is bad, and it hurts to go up stairs and to walk while I am experiencing it. Once that pain gets bad enough, I can’t run at all.

I stretched before my run to try and avoid the pain, but it didn’t help.

Additionally, towards the end of my run (which ended up being 40 minutes including the walking) my left knee pain began. The same old. The outside of my knee. Hurts to bend it.  Once I felt that pain I had no choice but to immediately stop running. 

The rest of the night was difficult for me since we walked to dinner and I was in so much pain. The knee pain subsided pretty quickly, but the upper/outer thigh pain did not.  I told the boy I that running is not for me, and I would not be trying that anymore.

Of course, once I saw everyone outside by the water during my lunchtime walk yesterday, I texted the boy and reneged. I love warm weather, and I need to try again.

But it gets worse. I have started experiencing knee pain in spin class. Not the same pain. This pain is not on the outside of my knee, but it is only on my left knee, which is the bad one. This spinning pain is on the front/inside, right next to the kneecap. It is extremely painful during spin, particularly during the sitting portions. The pulling up movement hurts it the most.

It started a little while ago, but has continued. I wear my knee sleeve to spin (despite the sweaty, skin-pinching discomfort) and it doesn’t help. Last night I went to my first 60 minute spin class. The pain didn’t start until the last 20 minutes or so, but once it began it was bad. I had a hard time walking out of the gym, I could barely bend my leg.

And now I am worried. If I can’t run that would suck but since I never ran in the first place it’s not such a big deal. But you all know how addicted to spin I am, how much I love it, how much I crave it. I know a break is in order, but *waaaahhh* I don’t want one!

After last night’s spin experience and Sunday’s running, I decided it is time to once again visit an orthopedist. I need to know that there is no major damage. I need an x-ray. I need to hear that I can spin again. So tomorrow afternoon I am trying a new doctor.

I know that the outside pain is patella femoral, but is that also the cause of the inside pain? Or is it something different? I need to know.

Knees suck. They carry the weight of the world — okay, just the weight of our bodies, but still — that is a lot of pressure for such weak joints! And yes, I know I use my knees a lot. I spin 3 – 4 times a week. I do the elliptical about 2 times a week. Sometimes I try to run. I walk as much as possible. Sometimes I try to do squats and lunges.

But my initial knee pain started BEFORE I did any of those things. Of course by putting so much strain on my knees I am surely making it worse, but I already had knee issues to begin with. I am curious to hear what the doctor says tomorrow!

In other news, my doormat arrived, so quickly! I will take a picture with it later or tomorrow to post. I love it! And thanks to the A Woman’s Infinite Confidence event, I got some amazing chocolate that I will discuss later this week or early next week. I promise it is GOOD. Hint: A combination of crispy and creamy from a brand you are familiar with that is only 1 Weight Watchers point! AND tonight Missy and I are trying a new workout!  I am VERY nervous. I am wearing my workout clothes to work and I am proud to announce that none of my clothes are on backwards. I am very comfortable. I am excited to provide a full report of the workout. Hopefully I have time this week.

And lastly, look what I got!

SEATTLE’S BEST HENRY’S BLEND! My adorable little brother lives in the Seattles and his middle name is Henry (which explains Henry Day) and I call him that often, as well as some variations, including but not limited to Henries, Hen, Hens and Henny.

Needless to say, I was thrilled to have gotten a sample of this from an event the boy went to.

From the Seattle’s Best website, here is the story of Henry’s Blend:

Henry the cat
The day we started roasting our first espresso blend in the ’70s, a furry visitor trotted up to our doorstep, sniffing the air. There was definitely something special about this friendly orange tabby that showed up every time the beans hit the roaster. We started calling him Henry, after another Henry with a nose for great coffee. Henry the cat eventually became our official company mascot, dropping by every day to check on the roasts, get some attention and take advantage of his milk-tasting benefits. And when our first roast was ready for a name, the obvious and only choice was Henry’s Blend®-still a popular blend today.

Henry is Seattle mascot!!!!