WITH LIFE'S SIMPLE PLEASURES I just ran 3/4 of a mile. With No Pain in my left gastrocnemius. For those who don't know of my recent leg pain that stopped me from running, one Sunday in mid July it hurt and I had to stop short of my 1.5 mile run. The next Sunday I made it two blocks before the pain came in the same place and for that week it even hurt to walk (my other, more important simple indulgence). I was quite depressed about this, but after not running for two weeks and walking without any discomfort today I walked the first half of my normal run course and then ran back. Was going to try just two blocks but when the pain did not occur I kept going steady until I got home. This seems so insignificant, but I have reached the age where I often think "when will I not be able to do this any longer?" I was not ready to give up running but consoled myself that I could still walk long distances (such as on every visit to DC). But today, it seems that I may be back to my running regimen again. It must have been one of those self-correcting tendinitis moments that I occasionally get in my elbow and forearm. So, today I am happy again.
That's great! As someone who suffers from osteoarthritus and has had total replacements of both knees, I totally understand how depressing it is not to feel fully mobile. I will never be able to run again now, but I'm really delighted for you. And you are in wonderful shape, I must say!!!!!
Yeah, my sister has rheumatoid arthritis and takes meds for it that are basically poison (I was given a temp script for prednisone for some respiratory problem - immediately started weaning off it after the first dose - I do not do well with meds). I know eventually I will likely be unable to run, but there are some 80+ ppl still doing marathons so there is always hope. Are you able to walk OK? When I didn't know if this bad leg was going to be chronic and then realized I could at least walk without limping or pain, it was a fall-back plan of some comfort if I had to give up running. (Actually I used to not run, just rode my bike everywhere. I started running after breaking my leg in order to stimulate the bone to grow together.)
Yes, I can walk,but not great long distances without limping. In damp weather, my knees still swell up and are painfull. I'm not complaining, however, because a few years ago I was in a wheelchair. Also, because I live in the UK, I get free medical treatment and the hospital and staff were brilliant. But I can walk now and live a more or less normal live, if you don't include things like sports and running. But what was more important to me, was that after 4 years of surgury, wheelchairs, etc....I can DANCE!!!! For my entire adult life, whenever I have been upset or stressed, I have gone into my kitchen, put on really loud rock music and danced!!! It never failed to make me feel better, and I had a long time when I physically couldn't do it. I am really happy to see the picture of you running. You look so happy and fit and it cheers me up to see you looking so great. Our generation re-defined what it was to be young and now we will re-define what it means to age. Just making it up as we go along, as usual!
