Cause: Running Without A Knee Brace. Effect: My Knee Hurts

As I stepped out of my car to go run with the L.A. Leggers on Saturday I realized that I forgot my knee brace. I have done this before and I almost always regret it. I severely injured my knee when I was in the eight grade. I shattered the backside of my patella and had to have it re-shaped by a surgeon. Ever since that time I have had some knee pain. Since the time I took up running my knee has been strengthened and overall, I have had less pain. However, if I run without my knee brace that is not the case. 

We were scheduled for a twelve mile run, but after the first three miles I had to drop out. The knee pain was too much and I did not want to injure it further. I took the rest of the day off from training as well as all day Sunday. The knee feels better now, I will run tomorrow with the knee brace. I am scheduled for the Surf City Half Marathon in two weeks. I should still be ready, but it would have been nice to get in a long run.

John Thum

Now I Guess I Have To Tell 'Em That I Got No Cerebellum

The Great Magnetic Wife is quite an expert knitter, but she has never done anything quite like this even though she once worked at the neurology department at the University of Virginia. The story is here.

John Thum

Just Like Riding A Bike

On Saturday, after running with the L.A. Leggers, it was time to get back on the bike. I have not been on my bike since Ironman Arizona last November. I wasn't sure I would remember how, but it came back to me immediately. In fact, it was just like riding a bike.

John Thum

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I looked back on my New Year post from last year where I declared four resolutions for the 2008.  1. Finish the Los Angeles Marathon. Done!  2. Finish the Ironman California 70.3 (half ironman). Done!  3. Finish Ironman Arizona. Done! 4. Find a new place to live. Alas, not done. 

So, I guess finding a new place to live goes to the top of the list for 2009. I suppose the Ironman training did take up a lot of time and there wasn't much time left for house hunting. The other resolution  for this year is to declare 2009 the triathlon season to have fun. 2008 was all about preparing for the Ironman. 2009 will be all about having fun while competing. I am planning my season and I think this will be a season of mostly sprint triathlons, half-marathons and the possibility of a late season half-Ironman.

John Thum