Twenty Five and Getting Older

runner's knee, originally uploaded by andebos.

"The knee is a complex joint. It includes the articulation between the tibia and femur (leg and thigh) and the patella (knee cap). The most common knee problems in running relate to what is called the "patellofemoral complex". This consists of the quadriceps, knee cap and patellar tendon. What is now called patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is also known as runner's knee. For many years runner's knee was considered to be chondromalacia of the patella. This essentially means a softening of the cartilage of the knee cap....The symptoms of runners knee include pain near the knee cap usually at the medial (inner) portion and below it. Pain is usually also felt after sitting for a long period of time with the knees bent...." Treatment options on 75% of websites...stop running. That's frankly, 100% annoying to me. Luckily, for my marathon training, the other quarter of the websites have offered numerous, detailed, exercises and stretches to cope with this problem. Really, for me, it's not about a reoccuring, proloning, putting it bluntly - never going away problem. It's the coping with getting older and realizing my father and other older people were actually in pain all those times I watched or helped out with a large bit of doubt echoeing in my head. I've always known I was never the biggest guy (10ft tall), or the most athletic, or the most good looking, however, I did always (at least on some subconscious or conscious but arrogant level) believe I was invincible...aka 6'4'' and pulletproof. Wrong, foiled yet again! Now, where does life lead when reality sets in and you realize the disullisionment you believed for so long isn't reality? Well, you're left with two options as I see. The first is you die of shame. Thinking what you should've, could've, wouldn'tve, might've, whatever've done differently...or you actually cowboy up and cope with reality. But honestly, both options kind of suck. Therefore - this is what I propose! You train during the summer, and being a teacher (good choice) have all the time in the world to stretch, relax, recupe, whatever. Then, when you're sitting at home icing your knee...you sit back and think of all the other sukers who have to go to work everyday!! Ha Ha, you thought this was gonna be a pity party about my knee! Nah, it's a celebration about just how much I love the summers while I sit around icing my knee after my runs...which truly are painful. But, it makes up for it when the the thing I'm icing my knee with is the cold beer I'm sippin from on this pleasant summer, sunny, afternoon!! How's that desk? I really didn't mean for this to head the wacked direction it did...I just couldn't resist! Perhaps it's the beer...