Ugh! Graston

This morning I went to physical therapy, and I am tired, sore, and bruising.  I don't mean to complain here - I mean, I know that this will help me in the long run and that I need to buck up - but the Graston Technique that Brandon used on me was really painful.  I couldn't even talk while he was doing it (which says a lot for those of you who know me).  :)  I basically just held my breath and waited for it to be over.

After that, I did a bunch of exercises - lunges, squats, and other creative drills with balance discs and resistance bands - to strengthen my hip and work on my balance.  My heart was pumping, and sweat was dripping down my temples.  As cliche as it may sound, I kept telling myself - "No Pain, No Gain." 

Finally, the session ended with a bunch of ice and Kinesio Tape. 

I just know that all of this is going to be good for me and that I will be a stronger runner... just in time for Spring, too!

<3

Physical Therapy

Yesterday was my first physical therapy session at ProFormance.  After running for a couple of miles on the treadmill (next to a gal who was lazily using the elliptical machine and yawning), walking back and forth in front of my therapist, and doing squats, I was given some good and bad news.

Good news: Brandon doesn't think I have a "bad knee."  In fact, my knee seems to be very strong and healthy.  The problem, he says, is in my weak hips, causing me to put strain on my IT Band.  He says that with a month of using The Stick twice a day for 5 minutes and doing various hip-strengthening exercises, I should be strong enough to increase my distance again and run without pain.

Bad news: First, I didn't like being told that I have weak hips.  And second, along with my exercises, I will have to go in to get treatment on my IT Band once a week for the next four weeks.  Brandon says that the treatment will hurt and that I will bruise all the way down my thigh.  I sure don't look forward to that, though it will be worth it if I can run all Spring without pain.

Until then, I will keep my runs relatively short.  I am planning a solo 2-3 miler tonight.  Perhaps it will be the first night in almost a week that I will run without rain. 

<3