Healthy Living in Connecticut Blog

Tomorrow, I am participating in the Tour of the Litchfield Hills event. There are a variety of options to participate. The big part of the event is the bike race. I decided to try the walking event. I chose the option with the most miles, that being 6.2 miles. It goes to a great cause too, as the money they raise goes to the Cancer Care Fund of Litchfield Hills. I was able to raise over $200 for my walk in addition to the entry fee.

Many of you probably remember the swelling I was dealing with a few months back with my knee. I’m happy to report that it has not swelled in a while and it seems to have recovered. I did a lot of physical therapy and I can'’t say enough good things about PT. The therapists get to the root of the problem and they know just what exercises to focus on for healing. I found out my hip flexors were week along with my hamstrings being extremely tight. They exercises to strengthen those areas has helped so much.

After healing another knee injury from almost 6 weeks ago, I am back to running. It felt great, and most importantly, my knee was pain free. The physical therapy works and I can't thank the therapists enough! Also, my anti-inflammatory diet brought the inflammation down within a few days of the injury.

I saw my orthopedist the other day and she thinks that maybe there was a small tear that healed. It could have got trapped under the knee cap, causing it to swell like it did almost a year before. She checked my knee and how I moved it. I definitely have full range of motion again, no problem! She reminded me how far I came. During my appointment in late November or early December (whenever it happened), she recalled the crutches I was using. She recalled how I could not bend the knee. And she knew how painful it was if I put any weight on it at all.

Last Sunday, I somehow twisted my knee. This was the same knee that was injured nearly one year ago.

My knee gradually got swollen during the day to the point where I couldn't put any weight on my leg or bend it without excruciating pain. Instead of going to the ER, I called the doctor on call. He told me to keep icing it and elevating it. I saw the orthopedist the next day.

Last year, I did the Manchester Road Race for the first time. This race is well known internationally and gets thousands of participants on Thanksgiving Day.

I didn't do as well as I could have last year. I came in at 50:55. My knee was bothering me that day. I really shouldn't have run. I completed the race and by the time I got home, my knee was hot and swollen. Eventually, it got to the point that I couldn't put any weight on it. It was also gradually getting more painful, to the point it was excruciating. I ended up calling the ambulance to go to the ER.

I stopped going to the gym about a month ago, when the COVID numbers started going up again in my state. I feel like it's too risky to go as I worry about getting others around me sick. II don't want to be a carrier and have the guilt if other people were to catch it from me.

I miss the gym but I do like running outside. It gives me a chance to plan for my next race. I'm planning on doing a virtual run for the Manchester Road Race again this year