That does not hurt. That does not hurt? That does not hurt! oh the simple joys of putting one foot in front of another over and over again are back. I can run again, painfully slowly mind.
Psychologically/Physiologically
For what the physio described as a “minor” cartilage tear in the knee felt/sounded more like a jackhammer going to work on a piano. From not be able to walk to taking that first stride in anger has been a 2 month period of torture – both physiologically and physiologically.
Recently Adidas have been running an adverting campaign for #TheReturn. This is in reference to the still currently pending return of Derrick Rose back to the game after he blow out with ACL. I mention this because, a guy universally lauded for his mental toughness, broke down into tears during the launch of his signature basketball shoes when shown clips for his ongoing journey battle for fitness . I am not a world class sportsman, I am never going to earn millions (not from playing sport anyway), I am not going to have fans screaming my name (I play rhythm guitar badly) but I share not being able to do what I love. You can’t help the way you feel and act at times, in my case I was a nightmare to live with and described as the world’s worst patient, but on a personal level I have to grow as a person so not to be such a pain in the backside.
There was a lot of pain in my knee, which was only enhanced by what can only be described as medieval punishment exercises from the physio. Getting through the exercises was the easy bit for me personally as I knew it would make my knee stronger. The hard part I thought during recovery was not going out and testing the knee. In reality, it was once I truly believed I was ready was actually taking that first stride.
Standing at the front door I was ready – trainers on, compression tights on (feeling rather tight after 2 months sat on the couch) and Ipod with the latest pop songs. No. What? I just could not face taking that first step. This was so odd and I still not sure what was going through my mind. I wanted to run so bad for weeks.
24 hours later and I was up and running pain free with the biggest smile one my face until about 15 minutes in having covered no more than a mile and needing to walk before I collapse.
In conclusion and following a myriad of convoluted waffle – Knee is better, I am very slow, need to be a batter patient, life is great again.