Sunday, May 14, 2023

The Niggles Will Not Win!

Oh, the niggles. If it's not my shoulder, it's my knee. Sometimes it's both. Just when I think I'm getting on top of these little annoyances, they remind me that I'm old, that I have RA, and that I'm pushing it. But thankfully, they aren't serious enough to keep me sidelined. I'm hoping that the rehab I'm doing is responsible for that. 

You may have noticed that in my recent photos, I'm taping my knee again. I'm not sure what happened, but last week, it started bothering me again. I was kind of surprised because I've been diligently doing my VMO exercises and have been pain-free for a while. Interestingly, running does not bother me, but descending stairs does. I had the PT at the gym check it, and she said it is not my patella, thank goodness! What she found is that the fat pad below my kneecap was swollen. She called it "Knee Fat Pad Impingement"--who knew that was a thing? and V-taped it with RockTape for me. I was instructed to ice it and take it easy.  

That's what they all say. When will I learn? Maybe after Friday's run? Read on...

Weekly Rundown
Sunday: trail run 10 miles
Monday: CrossFit
Tuesday: Pool Running
Wednesday: run 6 miles
Thursday: Strength training
Friday: Ice Age Trail run 9.6miles, 1300 ft of climbing
Saturday: graduation!

Running

I was so excited about my weekly run with the Trail Sisters. We had plans to meet at 'my' segment of the Des Plaines River Trail and at 8 am, we met at the River Trails Nature Center and headed south. It was already warm when we started and the temperature continued to rise. We started as a group of 8, but as we ran, we split into 2 groups, and eventually, into 4 groups of 2. I hoped to do 10 miles and the 5 out were fine, but when my friend Allison and I turned around to head back--those 5 miles were a struggle. My heart rate kept redlining and we stopped a lot to walk. She said she didn't mind, but I kept apologizing! In the last mile, I ran over what I thought was a stick until she screamed--it was a large garter snake. We laughed about that all the way back to the trailhead. In spite of the heat, this was a fun run! I love these ladies!


It was so beautiful on Wednesday morning and my dilemma was where to run? With plans to go up to the lake for a long graduation weekend, I wanted to run on pavement. Instead of the bike path, I drove to the retention pond with the 2-ish mile loop with plans to run a total of 6. To my surprise, my legs felt like lead! Was it the warmer temperatures? Fatigue from Sunday's run? Who knows, but I struggled to dial back my pace and try to keep my HR out of the red zone. I am pleased to say that I did this, but I wish I held back on the first loop. Sigh. It's a work in progress.


On Thursday, we drove up to the lake in preparation for my youngest son's graduation from the University of Wisconsin. I wanted to get in a long run on my favorite segment of the IAT on Friday morning before we drove to Madison for the first celebration. More on that below. I woke up early and headed to the trailhead that divides the 2 portions of the trail, thinking that I wanted to be able to stop at my car to refill my water bottle and refuel. This worked out really well, as the first 1/4 mile is a climb, giving me a chance to warm up my legs. I ran really strong on this run, having one of the fastest times yet on the segment. I really enjoyed not slipping on the ice, too, which plagued me the last time I ran here. The birds were singing loudly and everything was blooming. I climbed down to the marsh to check out the marsh marigolds, but on the very steep climb back up, my knee did something funny. Not good. I iced it when I got home and have my fingers crossed that this is just another niggle to add to my niggle collection!


CrossFit/Strength

Last week on Thursday, the WOD was the EAD baseline workout, which kicks off the summer training. The goal is to build on the baseline, which is retested at the end of summer. I've never participated in this, but I told SJ that I would like to. So on Monday, I did the baseline workout instead of the WOD. I also did the MetCon after I finished the baseline workout. 

For the baseline workout, there were 3 options. Since I have never done it before, SJ recommended I choose option 1: 400m run, 10 (24") box jumps, 20 pushups, 30 sit-ups, 40 air squats, 800m run, 40 air squats, 30 sit-ups, 20 push-ups, 10 box jumps, and 400m run. The goal was to finish under 20 minutes and I finished in 19:15. Not bad, considering yesterday's brutal 10 mile run in the heat. I was mostly thrilled about my 20 strict push-ups that were unbroken both times! 


I recovered while the class finished the strength and skill portion and got ready for the MetCon, which was an 8 minute AMRAP of 12 slam balls (30#), 3 laps of SB carries, 12 situps holding the SB, and 1 lap of SB chest throws (I did it each time with only 2 throws!) I completed 3 total rounds of this in 8 minutes. It was a fun little workout!

On Thursday, it was back to the bar--the barbell that it is. It has been a while since we've done any lifting because SJ wanted me to focus on accessory work. Now we are done with that and it is back to basics. She had me do 4 sets or 6 front squats, building to a heavy weight (85#) while focusing on coming up from the squat without leaning forward. She was thrilled with my depth in the squat as well as my body position as I lifted up out of the squat. All that shoulder opening work I've been doing for my shoulder impingement is paying off in so many ways! I alternated those with single-arm strict DB presses, 20# x 8 on each arm. After that, she had me do skater lunges, 3 sets of 20 alternating weighted (10#) hip extensions on the GHD. I admit to being a little afraid of falling off, but I didn't, proving her right, lol. 



Graduation Weekend!!

On Friday afternoon, we drove to Madison to pick up my youngest for his Chemistry program graduation. The University of Wisconsin is so big that the college graduation program can't acknowledge individual students. Most of the degree programs have their own smaller events the day before. I gave him some small gifts, including some chemistry-themed cookies that I baked. He was wearing a Hawaiian shirt and shorts and insisted that it was going to be a casual event. Long story short, when we got there, he realized he was wrong and he and his dad drove back to his apartment to get his cap and gown. I nervously sat through the program, waiting for him to come back. Halfway through the ceremony, he walked in the door, slipped in line, and walked across the stage. Crisis averted! His new girlfriend joined us for a relaxing dinner. 


Saturday's full university ceremony was held at Camp Randall and the stadium was almost full. There were over 7000 undergraduates, the largest graduating class ever. The ceremony was full of speeches, but there were also fireworks and we got to 'jump around'. After it was over, my family met up with our graduate at the Memorial Union Terrace, where we sat along the shores of Lake Mendota and enjoyed pitchers of Spotted Cow! We walked up State Street towards the Capitol for dinner at Lucielle, where my son has been employed for the past 2 years as a bartender. It was a wonderful celebration and for me, the perfect Mother's Day gift! 



How was your week? Is anyone else battling 'niggles'? Did you have any major milestone events in your world? How are you celebrating Mother's Day? I'll be taking it easy, lol.

I'm linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Rundown. 




38 comments :

  1. Huge congrats to your son!! That does make a momma proud :) Sounds like an amazing Mother's Day gift for sure. I can totally see the clothes mixup happening to my son! Sorry that knee is being so ornery. I did just hear about a product for compression that is supposed to replace taping - Go Sleeves compression. Although tape might allow a bit more freedom and be non obtrusive...

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    1. I broke out in a rash from the tape, so I will check out that compression device! My poor knee, lol

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  2. Sounds like you have had a great weekend! Sorry about the niggles. I think at a certain age you just gotta accept they're most likely going to happen. Unfortunately my latest (not really a niggle, obviously) sidelined me from running in some beautiful weather, but next week looks good and I hope to get back out there.

    Happy Mother's Day!

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    1. I'm sure aging and RA has something to do with it, but I'm going to do my best to keep on going!

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  3. Congrats again to Matt! It's such and huge and wonderful milestone and boy they grow up too fast. Sign. No niggles here, knock wood, I don't want to tempt fate. Happy Mother's Day! I'm heading to my mom's to planr her outdoor flower containers.

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  4. Happy Mother's Day, and congratulations to your son! What a milestone for him, and you. That IA trail run looks beautiful. Was it cooler that day? Because I'm guessing your harder runs earlier in the week were due to the heat, which you're not acclimated to yet. And as always... you're killing it with the strength training.
    I'm currently niggle-free, unless of course you count my foot which seems to be a permanent niggle. I hope your knee feels better soon- at least it's not hurting when you run!

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    1. The cooler, overcast conditions on Friday definitely made for a strong run! Hoping to get out there one more time tomorrow before we head home.

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  5. Congrats to your son and happy Mother's Day!
    Currently no niggles - which means I'm probably due. Mother's Day is a tough day for me - my 25th without my mom, and this year is Les' first without his.

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    1. I dread the day when I don't have my mom. I know how lucky I am to still have her!

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  6. Congrats to your son!! Such a big achievement, and such a proud mom moment ;-) I've had this weird inner hamstring niggle myself. I feel nothing running, walking or biking, but if I roll over in bed the wrong way, OUCH! I just keep stretching and rolling...

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  7. Yay congrats to your son! Sounds like you had a great graduation celebration!
    Sorry your knee is still being cranky - my niggles have been quiet lately...knock on wood.
    Happy Mother's Day!

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  8. No niggles but but no energy!! What's worse?

    I hope we both stay out there for years to come inspite of it all.

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    1. No energy is definitely the worst! And yes, I hope I can keep doing this too!

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  9. Wonderful to see your son's graduation, thank you for sharing that! My husband was still in Colorado on Saturday and it was very busy with graduations apparently. I'm sorry about the niggles. RA is a shitty thing. I took my friend to her Personal Independence Payment reassessment in the week and was reminded again how very unwell she is and also how the world is not made for wheelchairs. I hope you stay active and strong for many, many years to come.

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    1. Thank you for that! When I have these niggles, it sure reminds me that I am not invincible!

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  10. Happy Mother's Day and congrats on the graduation! Phew crisis averted with the cap and gown. My body is feeling ok, but I'm getting over a cold and my breathing has been off most of the week and I've been tired. Hoping that I'm better by next weekend's half marathon! And I hope your energy comes back soon!

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  11. Congrats to your son's graduation! What is he doing now, what's the work situation like?
    Of course you'd kill that baseline test! Oh, the bar. I miss it so much! But I actually did a barbell row last week, lying face down on an inclined bench. That was wonderful! I'm sorry to hear about your niggles... there's always something isn't there? Especially knees are so tricky! Although I've learned now that feet are too. I might be wrong (MRI this week, though) but I think I'm seeing the end of the tunnel with my foot injury now.

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    1. I'm so glad to hear that you are doing better! My son is going to continue to bartend while he decides his next step.

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  12. That story about rushing home for the cap and gown is hilarious!! Love the photo! Is that behind the stage?

    I like that idea with the baseline workout, I will need to ask our coach about that. I don't think I can do 20 strict push-ups! Well done!!

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    1. That ceremony was in a lecture hall and he was walking across the front of the room. Oh this kid...

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  13. Looks like you had some great runs this week despite your knee bothering you. Huge congrats to your son! He made it! I know just how proud you are. Hope you had a fantastic mother's day too

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  14. Massive congrats to your son! what a great achievement! kind of funny about the clothing situation though! my goodness that would have stressed me out! I definitely have niggles and I'm about to go see my GP soon because I'm concerned about the constant pain/ inflammation in my feet and knees. I know my weight isn't helping me but this is one of the reasons I went back to the gym for strength - so I could muscularly (is that a word) support my knees better on the run. But why am I in pain all the time?? ugh. Your baseline workout result is great - looking forward to seeing the end result!!

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    1. I'm a little distressed about all the recent niggles--especially since my rheum cut my Humira dose.

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  15. My ankle is always a little niggly, but I just keep going. It's never going to be 100%. What a wonderful weekend with your son. Congratulations to him! Your heart must be so full and proud! <3

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    1. You know it! I've probably been a little obnoxious about it but you only graduate once, am I right?

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  16. The niggles are the worst because like you said, if it's not one thing it's another. For me if it's not my knee, it's my lower back. On any given day it can also be something entirely new, lol.

    Huge congratulations to your son on his graduation!!

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  17. Huge congrats to your son. Seriously, could there be a better Mother's Day celebration than yours? I don't think so!

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  18. What a fun graduation weekend! And looks like lovely weather. Madison is such a pretty campus too. Happy Mother's Day!

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  19. Congratulations to your son. 3 trails in a week, you are an inspiration!

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