Had something very encouraging happen last Sunday and wanted to share. We met up with some friends for a walk and dinner. My friend asked if I was able to walk 5 miles. I have only done 4 up to this point but she said we were going to walk at a certain urban lake trail that I am familiar with, and I know that it is quite flat with an easy, smooth trail. So I said yes, that should be fine! I was excited to see how 5 miles would feel.
It turned out that the path around the lake is actually 3 miles, but we walked there from their house, which is one mile away. So that was the 5 miles round trip. The thing is, from their house it is a long gradual incline for pretty much the whole mile. Down on the way there, and up on the way back. I have been walking pretty exclusively on flat ground, mainly because I live in a valley and it’s flat here. So this was way more hill than I have tried yet.
In addition, we brought our dogs and my little terrier Ladybug was so excited that she was pulling a bit the whole time. She only weighs 7 lbs but you’d be surprised how much that little bitty pulling adds up over 5 miles! We only stopped once about halfway through for me to do a quick stretch at a bench. And I’m pretty sure we walked faster than what I have been. Peer pressure, you know. By the time we were trekking up the long hill on the way home, I was feeling some aching and tightness in my knee. I was worried about what the consequences would be!
When we got to their house, I immediately put my legs up on their couch and borrowed an ice pack to put on my knee. Also took some ibuprofen. After about 45 minutes of that, we put dinner together, had a nice meal, and then drove a hour back home. At home, I iced again and went to bed after doing the nighttime barn chores.
I waited two days before I truly believed it…NO adverse effects from all the extra activity!!
I have a new confidence in my knee and it’s resilience now! Now I know I can safely increase the challenges and plan to add in more hills. I really, really want to do an easy overnight backpacking trip by the end of the summer
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That warms my heart. I know you’ve had some of the same struggles as I have, and I wish you strength and determination as you continue to heal. We’ll get there! Let us know how it goes at your appointment and talking with your OS about MUA. Only you know your body and what is best for it. I can tell you that personally…I am so glad I didn’t agree to it and chose the gentle way instead. Either way, we are all here for you!!
