It has been two years since I tore my PCL in my knee. The best I have ever felt since that time was this past summer when the kids and I were biking in preparation for our 15 mile bike race. I did significantly notice the difference in keeping my knee strengthened.
Then it got colder out. The problem with maintaining what I had been doing is that riding a stationary bike for 15 miles is the most boring thing in the world. With the bike in the living room, I have to turn tv up loud to hear it over the bike. This makes other people in the family unhappy.
With the cold weather and the annoying stationary bike, I have tried to do more Zumba. Last week I Zumba’d three times. My knee felt horrible. I can Zumba sometimes. But it is not an exercise that strengthens my knee at all.
I have been taking my daughter to physical therapy the last couple weeks. Being back in that room has been a good reminder of what I really need to do to keep myself stronger.
This morning I went down in my basement and I dusted off my equipment. Two years ago I designed my gym with some awesome second-hand equipment to mimic the physical therapist’s office. The punching bag was a gift from my darling husband. The other items were added to the basement gym specifically to build up my knee.
This morning I overdid it. My knee has been fairly sore and just plain tired ever since this morning. It hasn’t been super painful. So I pushed a little too far; but fortunately not way too far.
Tonight I am thankful for the first morning of specific knee exercises. Zumba is suspended until my knee is stronger. And I think it may be time for the treadmill to leave the basement. I’ve always been a runner. I think since I could walk, I’ve been a runner. But, that’s just not going to be my thing anymore. I’ve accepted that. Maybe when my knee is maintaining a greater strength I may try running again. First things first though. First I am going to build my knee back up to where it was this past summer. Then I am going to keep it there!!
Bug's Bright Side 