The knee is starting to ease up some.  It isn’t as tight and doesn’t hurt nearly as much.  I used the elliptical at the beginning of the week but switched to using the treadmill part of the time toward the end of the week.  I couldn’t do a full workout on the treadmill but I could do one walk 5, run 5 interval and then switch back to the elliptical.

New shoes, new socks, dial back the workout, change to the elliptical, have the personal trainer pull me in different directions; it was a new week for me.  My knee hurt but I kept going.  I kept exercising the leg muscles to support the knee and stretching the muscles and tendons.  I didn’t see any real improvement but I decided I had to give it time.  I stayed on the walk 5, run 5 program and sometimes I had to push myself to complete that.  It was not a fun week.

The x-ray results showed that everything was normal in my knee, Yeah!!!!

Last week two very important events shared the same day. One you probably heard a lot about – Valentine’s Day.  Somehow if you missed that it was Valentines and you didn’t get your sweetie something, we know you are hearing about it now!  Perhaps a little more than you wish!

Another very important day, somewhat overshadowed by Valentine’s Day is National Organ Donor day.  Here at My Best Second Half, we choose to acknowledge National Organ Donor Day all on it’s own.

Why be a donor you ask?  The need is great and growing every day.   There are thousands of children and adults that need help and the gift of donating can change or even save their life.  Everyone should consider themselves as potential organ and tissue donor.  Just because you may be older or have a medical condition does not rule you out for being a donor.  Doctors can determine this at the time of need.  If you are not registered as a donor and would like to “Give the Gift of Life” here are some ways to register:

• Register with your state at http://organdonor.gov/donor/registry.shtm
• Designate it on your drivers license
• Sign a donor card now and carry it with you ftp://ftp.hrsa.gov/organdonor/newdonorcard.pdf

Be sure you talk to your family regarding your decision to be an organ donor; this will help them in being prepared to follow through and honor your wishes.

We can each make a  difference in so many different ways. Registering as an Organ and Tissue donor can save life and that’s one amazing way to make a difference.

My knee still bothered me all week even though I didn’t use the treadmill.  I went to the doctor and she told me that I did not have tendonitis or bursitis.  Yeah!  She gave me a couple of exercises and told me to take anti-inflammatories.   She also scheduled an X-ray just in case.  After that I asked the hard question and I was afraid of the answer.  I asked if I could continue to work out.  She said “Yes” but not on the treadmill until the pain went away.  What a relief.  I was surprised at my reaction.  Before I would have been glad to have a medical reason not to continue but now I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to.  Wow!

John, the personal trainer, came by and suggested I hire him to help me stretch out the muscles and tendons in my upper legs since that can cause me to turn my foot out and cause the knee to hurt.  He gave me a free session and I decided to go with it.  It incorporated myofacial release and stretching.  Parts of it hurt.  I told one of the other personal trainers at the gym that John was a sadist and he asked me, “What does that make you?”  I should have known they would stick together.

I decided to get new shoes in hopes that they would help my running form.  Heidi and I went to the shoe store and they spent about 30 minutes watching me walk, trying on shoes, walking in them and running on the treadmill with them on.  They were thorough.  I narrowed it down to two styles and couldn’t decide which felt better so the shoe guy had me put one style on my right foot and the other style on my left.  After that, it was easy.  I was really looking forward to trying them out.

They did such a great job, Heidi decided to try some shoes on.  She ended up buying a pair and loves them.

Whether you are looking for a retirement gift or something for yourself, the My Best Second Half store is now open! We will be adding items each week for you to shop and enjoy including clothing with funny retirement sayings, retirement cards and gifts.

Click here to check out the store today!

Well, it happened.  I was running on Thursday, walk 5, run 5 and my right knee started bothering me.  I kept going but just barely finished.  I was glad Friday was a rest day.  My knee was stiff even after I put ice on it.  I rested it Friday and felt better Saturday, so I decided to keep going.  I only made it through two rounds of walk 5, run 5 when my knee went all wobbly on me and I had to quit.  On Sunday I didn’t use the treadmill.  I switched to the elliptical to take the pressure off the knee.  I finished the workout but had to ice the knee again.

I’ll probably have to do something about it soon.

Well, things were going great.  I started the week off walking 5 minutes and running 3 minutes.  I felt good and was encouraged.  At the end of the week I moved up to walk 5, run 4 and things are still going well.  I’m still at the slower speed but it is helping my form or so the mirror tells me.

On Thursday, I was running and some young ladies walked by and smiled at me.  I thought, “Hey, I must be looking good.”  A little while later another young lady walked by and smiled.  Alright.  Then I saw two ladies watching me and whispering and smiling.  I was on top of the world.  After my run, I was feeling good.  I went to the locker room to shower and change clothes and realized that I had my gym shorts on inside out.  Then it ALL made sense.  Oh well.

My Best Second Half provides readers valuable information about their social security benefits each week.   This week, the following Questions and Answers were posted:

• I’m 49 years old and have had two heart surgeries. I’m recuperating now and plan to go back to work in another year or so, But I’m worried I might not be able to. Should I go ahead and apply for disability benefits?
• Is there a better time to visit the local Social Security office? I have tried going on my lunch hour and it is too busy.
• Is this the time of the year when I can sign up for Medicare Part B? I am 67 years old and did not sign up when I turned 65.
• I am planning ahead this year in preparation for filing my income tax return. What should I know about as far as Social Security is concerned?

To read the answers to these Social Security questions and read more, visit our Social Security Q&A page.

Things are going well.  I feel my legs adjusting to the extra effort.  Can you say “Pain?”  The plan had me start walking 5 minutes then running 1 minute.  It is still pretty easy.  I’m fighting the desire to crank up the treadmill and fly down the “road.”  I’m walking at 3.6 MPH and running at about 6.6 mph.

While I was running on Wednesday, John, a personal trainer I had worked with, walked by and we started talking.  I told him I was going to run the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half marathon.  He encouraged me.  I also explained that I was going slowly to avoid injuries.  He asked if he could evaluate me form.  I said yes.  He watched me run and had me do some flexibility and range of motion exercises.  He told me that I had some problems with over-striding, over-pronation and tightness in my hip and upper leg muscles that could cause problems.  He offered to help me.  I told him I would think about it.

That evening I went out to the web to research running form and found out John was right; I was over-striding.  On Thursday I slowed my speed way down, walking 3.3 mph and running 5.3 mph.  That allowed me to shorten my stride.  It was strange at first.  Actually, it still is an effort to do it.  I started running on a treadmill next to the mirrors so I could check my form.  I have a long way to go.

Slow and easy was my mantra.  The PLAN had me start out walking 30 minutes.  I made that without any trouble.  Two days of this and I was ready for some serious running.  On the third day, I got it.  I walked for 5 minutes then ran for 30 seconds.  Repeat that 6 times.  I Made It.  I WAS A RUNNER!  On the fifth day I rested to allow my body to recuperate from the extreme workouts.  Day 6 – I repeated the same workout.  Day 7 – uh oh, it was walk 5 minutes and then run a full minute and repeat that 6 times.  That was more running AND increasing the workout 10%.

I was glad the next day was set aside for rest.  I needed it but I had made it through the first week.  I was on my way.

One funny thing though, I noticed my shoes had shrunk.  My toenails were wearing holes in my socks where they rubbed against the inside of my shoe.  I analyzed the situation and realized that when I bought new shoes, I’d have to buy some new socks too.  Talk about reinforcement and reward.