Sunday morning, with dozing dogs

[ksmith]

Well, in truth one is chewing a Kong ball and the other is beside me on the couch poking me with her paw.

Yesterday was lovely, 40s and sunny. I actually had the back door open for an hour or so until the chill got to me. It really was too early, but it was nice while it lasted.

Bought more seeds yesterday. Mesclun, sweet basil, and mixed sweet peppers. Counting the days, and hoping for a warmer, sunnier summer.

Gaby had her stitches removed on Friday. Everything looks fine...except when we got home, she started licking her shaved leg. I don't know why it itched--growing hair, tape residue--but in a couple of hours she managed to lick a raw spot. I cleaned and bandaged it, so now she's limping again. Any little thing on her legs seems to bother her. At least she doesn't pull at the bandage, which is an amazement. She's like Mickey in that respect. King is the opposite--he pulls off a bandage as I'm applying it. Doesn't even wait for me to tape it.

Cloudy today. Could rain. Spring is out there somewhere, looking for landing lights.

In running news, I managed to somehow screw up my right knee. It's bugging me in the same place that I torqued a few years ago when I slipped on some snow over ice. It feels hyperextended.

It may have been a shoe issue. I had to go back to some old shoes for a couple of weeks, and I think the cushioning was shot. OTOH, it may just be the way it will always be. Once the lower leg issues went away thanks to the orthotics, other issues would present. I will lay off until knee feels better, then try again with new shoes. If I still have problems, I may need to give race walking a try. It only hits the knees with 1.3 times body weight , instead of the 3-4 that stresses them when running. It takes practice, though.

I know I could try knee-strengthening, but I really, really don't have time to join a gym right now.

So, a little discouraged. I was just at the point where the back of the closet jeans were starting to fit again. Dammit.

Quiet day. Writing day. A little laundry. Dinner will be tuna steak with fruit. Salad with homemade lemon vinaigrette--first time I made that dressing, and it came out really well. Maybe couscous.

Comments

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

Hockey on TV this afternoon.

[trolleypup.livejournal.com]

Yeah...I can run/jog for a couple miles...muscles and lungs are up for it, then the knees start crying...and assuming I go back to a walking pace, shortly thereafter the hips (typically the right one, but...) goes into rebellion...and let me tell you, the last 8 miles of a 20+ mile one way hike is not much fun with the left knee and right hip complaining strenuously. In the end, I think I lost all the time I saved running in the 3 mph limp home.

Better to just stay with my normal knee saving walking gait (+/- 4mph) where the knees don't start whining til mile 25 or so. As an exercise plus, it is rather less efficient than a normal walking gait.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I know.

I'll be there. I so don't have the time, but.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

My legs have gotten stronger over the years, despite the stop-and-start of my exercise program. I initially started jogging because I could not walk at 4mph without jarring the hell out of my feet and ankles. Now I can walk at 4.3mph (treadmill speeds) and could probably work m way up to 4.5mph after a while. But it takes some concentration to maintain the right gait, or I wind up a gangle-jangle of knees and elbows.

Race-walking supposedly burns more calories than running at higher speeds because it is less efficient. So, at least I have a goal. But running is comparatively simple and it was *working*, dammit.

I want my 18-year old knees back. The hell with the digestion. Knees.

[trolleypup.livejournal.com]

Yeah...pushing the speed on a normal walk is hard on the body...I have a bent kneed gait that serves though. Pretty much maxes out at 4.5 mph.

Not quite as funny looking as race walking though. Of course, my goal is a slightly different direction from yours.

And yes, it would be nice to have my teenaged knees...and the knowledge I have now to avoid the damage I did in my teens and 20s. Because it would be awfully sweet to be able to blow away the boring parts of trails at 6 mph and cover more ground! I still have my digestion...but I would give up my old resistant to drink and hangovers happily in exchange!

[(Anonymous)]

You could try toe walking, which is easier in barefoot shoes, but can be done in typical runners. The idea is that if the toe strikes first, the whole foot flexes and absorbs the impact. It's been a godsend for my old, cranky, crooked knees.

Good luck with it.

Adrianne