When I was reviewing my 2017 goals for the year I was vehemently expressing my intention to run my first 5K. I am focusing on the Flying Pig 5K, which is coming up the first weekend in May. A few weeks ago, after running on the treadmill, I started experiencing sharp pains in my knee that lasted a little over a week. My wife and I both became concerned as to whether or not my knees will be able to sustain running the 3.1 miles. The most logical next step was to consult with my doctor.
There are a lot of runners that support the theory that running actually helps their knees feel better. The mechanics of running seems to support the notion that its harder on your knees. My doctor, however, had an interesting suggestion. While she didn’t want to discourage me from running, she suggested that I don’t run on the treadmill. Apparently the physiology of our bodies and the slight contortion necessary to run on the treadmill can cause irregular motion of the patella. Since my patella is already prone to slipping, that is not a situation I want to risk. Running outside, however, is fine (as long as I’m wearing a brace).
How Can I Train If I Can’t Run Everyday?
So the conundrum I face is how can I train on days where the weather isn’t conducive for running outdoors? There is an app I started using last summer, C25K, which takes you through a 9 week regimen to prepare you to run the full 3.1 miles. It’s a great app that prepares you for running a 5K but it assumes you will be running at least 3 days a week. The treadmill made it easy because I didn’t have to worry the weather or finding the space to run the required distance for each session.
The Flying Pig 5K is now a little over 9 weeks away. I don’t know if I am going to be sufficiently ready by May 6th. I may end up walking the 5K again and perhaps set my sights on running it next year. This will give me a year to find a training regimen that won’t cause severe knee pain. The concept of waiting another year really bums me out because I was so pumped to actually do it this year. I am open to suggestions and feedback. Part of me is thinking that I will run outside when I can, use the treadmill for speed walking, and do exercises that will strengthen the muscles around my knees.
I could accomplish so much more if I only had minions!
The recent pace at which I have been publishing new blog posts is appallingly slower. Ideas and “other cortical experiences” are evading my consciousness. I am stuck with the proverbial writer’s block! I will admit that certain events, IRL, have been taking more of my attention. When you are trying to sustain a family, those events take immediate priority. I will not talk about politics so anything that is considered a “political hot topic” or “current event” will never be a subject I will write about. My views do not necessarily align with others. I prefer my readers find this site a sanctuary from political pontificating and mudslinging.
Netflix has been dominating the streaming television market. It’s hard to believe that just 10 years ago I was subscribing to their DVD mail service. They are not only dominating the streaming market with movies and syndicated television series, but also with their own series. I have already expressed 
I have taken a break from Facebook. If you notice posts from me they auto-post as part of WordPress plug-ins which automatically sends a tweet for new blog posts. Anytime I submit a tweet to Twitter, it auto-posts to Facebook. While I will also avoid my Twitter feed, I can post to Twitter without actually having to see the latest nonsense. I have also disabled all notifications. Facebook is a harbor of hatred and I just can’t take any more of it right now. Warning: the following might be wrought with disdain and unpleasant suggestions (i.e. nothing will be politically correct).
Activism requires more than sharing memes. I assure you no member of Congress, no judge, no presidential aid is going to change their mind because of a Facebook post! Don’t even get me started on those dumbass Facebook profile filters! All you will accomplish by sharing hateful remarks is alienating your friends and family. There are relationships that are being destroyed because people are not afraid to type what they are too afraid to say to someone’s face. Words are permanent whether spoken or written. While you might be able to repair what you say, the Internet never forgets what you wrote. Once its out on the Internet, you can no longer control its existence.