Running into the New Year! Week of New Year's.

[Jolt]

Well, today was better--no issues this workout. I went to the Y and ran 15 minutes on the treadmill, concentrating very hard on maintaining good form, and didn't have a problem (kept it to 15 minutes to be safe--focusing so much on keeping proper form is hard!). Then I did 15 minutes on one of the bikes, then ran barefoot around the track upstairs for a little more than 5 minutes. Actually, I didn't do most of it around the track--there were people walking counterclockwise and I am trying to do more clockwise to keep the stress off that left IT band and balance myself out, so I went down to this walkway that goes around above the gym and mostly ran there. Plus, I don't know what it is about that track (maybe just the fact that it's steeply banked which invites one to accelerate into the turns) but it makes me want to just fly! I was somewhat surprised the people on the track didn't comment on the fact I had no shoes on.

[emily_in_nc]

Get a foam roller or a "Stick" and you won't need any more explanation.
I'm serious. You will feel them. Trigger points in the quads are pretty difficult to self-massage with your thumbs just because the muscles are so large and the trigger points tend to be deep, but either of those is a good tool for getting at them.

Interesting, thanks! My pain is NOT in my quad at all, though. It's *right* above the kneecap, at the closest point to the patella in the circled part of this picture:
http://www.itendonitis.com/quadriceps-tendonitis.html

I can press on it and feel the pain. Just wasn't sure if that was a "trigger point" or not. There is also a small, button-size point of pain right on the patella itself, slightly to the inside of my knee. Strange.

rnr, not to worry, I have been a complete slouch this week. Running is out of the question, and even walking other than casual walking around the office and parking lot (can't avoid that) doesn't feel good. I am still feeling pain on every step. I am icing when I can, taking ibuprofen, and just in general taking it easy. I have no plans to attempt running or even fitness walking until the pain is completely gone, and then stopping immediately if it flares back up.

I've had injuries before and realize I have to give it time to heal. I'm just mad at myself for ending up injured when I've been so careful. I just came back too quickly after the holidays without even realizing it.

I'm still doing upper body weights, Pilates, etc., but I hate not working my heart.... And I don't think this is just going to be a week -- I'm afraid I won't be able to do cardio for a month.

Thanks for the helpful support!

[OakLeaf]

Trigger points very often refer pain to the tendons associated with the muscle. VERY often. Actually, according to one of the standard references, the trigger points associated with pain at the quadriceps tendon can be clear up near the hip on the rectus or the adductors; or in the middle part of the vastus medialis.

My new trigger point book, highly recommended by several TE'rs and quickly becoming one of my favorite books aka masochist toy.

No, seriously, I didn't realize that the pain in my Achilles tendons that has plagued me for YEARS was coming from clear up in the big calf muscles... but it sure is going away now that I'm working on those trigger points.

[Aggie_Ama]

Went for a 2.4 mile run last night. I haven't ran since November when I came down with bronchitis, it felt refreshing. It is weird that I have lost weight but feel so out of shape. I was targeting a run I thought was in April but they moved it to March and I just realized DH has a mountain bike race. That stinks.

It is very deserted at the running path right now, kind of nice and kind of creepy. I made it at dusk last night but it was dark at the end of my run. The fire station keeps their doors closed since it is chilly and the kids are no longer playing football and baseball. Maybe I can get DH along when his cracked rib heals.